HeyRuaHow to say “retiring” in Irish
- Irish:
- cúlánta
- English:
- retiring, secluded
- Word type:
- adjective
- More retiring:
- níos cúlánta
- Most retiring:
- is cúlánta
- Pronunciation:
- “KOO-lawn-ta” /ˈkuːlˠaːn̪ˠt̪ˠə/
What does “cúlánta” mean?
“Cúlánta” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- retiring
- Describes a person who is shy and quiet and keeps in the background.Also: shy, reserved, unobtrusive, backward.
1 other meaning: secluded
- 2secluded
- Describes a place that is remote, out of the way or in the background.Also: out of the way, remote, backward.
“Cúlánta” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is cúlánta after fear (man, masculine), after bean (woman, 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: bean chúlánta. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear cúlánta.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, cúlánta. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir chúlánta; after other plurals it does not: mná cúlánta.
More retiring, most retiring, very retiring
Tá Seán níos cúlánta ná a dheartháir. Seán is more reserved than his brother.
| more retiring | níos cúlánta | in the past tense: ní ba chúlánta |
|---|---|---|
| most retiring | is cúlánta | in the past tense: ba chúlánta |
| as retiring as | chomh cúlánta le | no change after chomh |
| very retiring | an-chúlánta | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too retiring | róchúlánta | ró- lenites |
“Cúlánta” 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.
Retiring in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for retiring?
The Irish for retiring is cúlánta (pronounced “KOO-lawn-ta”). It comes after the noun: fear cúlánta, a retiring man; bean chúlánta, a retiring woman.
How do you say more retiring and most retiring in Irish?
níos cúlánta is more retiring and is cúlánta is most retiring. In the past tense they become ní ba chúlánta and ba chúlánta.
Why does cúlánta become chúlánta?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean chúlánta (a retiring woman) but fear cúlánta (a retiring man), because fear is masculine.
How do you say very retiring in Irish?
an-chúlánta. Too retiring is róchúlánta, and as retiring as is chomh cúlánta le.
Does cúlánta have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cúlánta can mean retiring or secluded, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'cúlánta' and 'cúthail'?
'Cúthail' means shy or bashful, while 'cúlánta' suggests someone who keeps in the background and is reserved; they overlap a lot. 'Cúlánta' can also describe a secluded place.
