HeyRuaHow to say “quick” in Irish
- Irish:
- tapa
- English:
- quick, ready
- Word type:
- adjective
- Quicker:
- níos tapa
- Quickest:
- is tapa
- Pronunciation:
- “TAP-a” /ˈt̪ˠapˠə/
What does “tapa” mean?
“Tapa” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- quick
- Moving or happening at great speed or in a short time.Also: fast, rapid, speedy, swift.
1 other meaning: ready
“Tapa” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is tapa after carr (car, masculine), after girseach (girl, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
After a feminine noun the adjective gets a séimhiú, an h after its first letter: girseach thapa. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: carr tapa.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, tapa. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: girseacha tapa.
Quicker, quickest, very quick
Tá sise níos tapa ná a deartháir. She is faster than her brother.
| quicker | níos tapa | in the past tense: ní ba thapa |
|---|---|---|
| quickest | is tapa | in the past tense: ba thapa |
| as quick as | chomh tapa le | no change after chomh |
| very quick | an-tapa | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too quick | róthapa | ró- lenites |
“Tapa” in a sentence: Irish examples
With a masculine noun, a feminine noun, a plural, a comparison and on its own.
Other adjectives in Irish
More everyday Irish adjectives to learn next.
Quick in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for quick?
The Irish for quick is tapa (pronounced “TAP-a”). It comes after the noun: carr tapa, a quick car; girseach thapa, a quick girl.
How do you say quicker and quickest in Irish?
níos tapa is quicker and is tapa is quickest. In the past tense they become ní ba thapa and ba thapa.
Why does tapa become thapa?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach thapa (a quick girl) but carr tapa (a quick car), because carr is masculine.
How do you say very quick in Irish?
an-tapa. Too quick is róthapa, and as quick as is chomh tapa le.
Does tapa have more than one meaning?
Yes. Tapa can mean quick or ready, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between tapa and gasta?
Both mean fast or quick; 'tapa' is common everywhere, while 'gasta' is especially used in Connacht and can also mean clever.
How do I say quickly?
Use 'go tapa', as in 'Labhraíonn sí go tapa' (She talks fast).
