HeyRuaHow to say “ragged” in Irish
- Irish:
- gioblach
- English:
- ragged, untidy
- Word type:
- adjective
- More ragged:
- níos gioblaí
- Most ragged:
- is gioblaí
- Plural:
- gioblacha
- Pronunciation:
- “GIB-lukh” /ɟɪbˠləx/
What does “gioblach” mean?
“Gioblach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- ragged
- Torn and worn, in rags, used of clothes or of a person dressed in old torn clothes.Also: tattered, in rags, shabby, threadbare.
1 other meaning: untidy
- 2untidy
- Rough, uneven or untidy in appearance, like hair or work done carelessly.Also: scruffy, unkempt, rough.
“Gioblach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is gioblach after cóta (coat, masculine), after léine (shirt, 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: léine ghioblach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: cóta gioblach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, gioblacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: léinte gioblacha.
More ragged, most ragged, very ragged
Tá a bhríste níos gioblaí ná mo cheann féin. His trousers are more ragged than mine.
| more ragged | níos gioblaí | in the past tense: ní ba ghioblaí |
|---|---|---|
| most ragged | is gioblaí | in the past tense: ba ghioblaí |
| as ragged as | chomh gioblach le | no change after chomh |
| very ragged | an-ghioblach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too ragged | róghioblach | ró- lenites |
“Gioblach” 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.
Ragged in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for ragged?
The Irish for ragged is gioblach (pronounced “GIB-lukh”). It comes after the noun: cóta gioblach, a ragged coat; léine ghioblach, a ragged shirt.
How do you say more ragged and most ragged in Irish?
níos gioblaí is more ragged and is gioblaí is most ragged. In the past tense they become ní ba ghioblaí and ba ghioblaí.
Why does gioblach become ghioblach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So léine ghioblach (a ragged shirt) but cóta gioblach (a ragged coat), because cóta is masculine.
What is the plural of gioblach?
With a plural noun gioblach becomes gioblacha: cótaí gioblacha, léinte gioblacha.
How do you say very ragged in Irish?
an-ghioblach. Too ragged is róghioblach, and as ragged as is chomh gioblach le.
Does gioblach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Gioblach can mean ragged or untidy, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between gioblach and giobach?
Gioblach means ragged or in tatters, from 'giobal' (a rag), while 'giobach' usually means shaggy or unkempt, as of hair.
