HeyRuaHow to say “ripe” in Irish
- Irish:
- aibí
- English:
- ripe, mature, quick-witted
- Word type:
- adjective
- Riper:
- níos aibí
- Ripest:
- is aibí
- Pronunciation:
- “AB-ee” /ˈabʲiː/
What does “aibí” mean?
“Aibí” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- ripe
- Fully grown and ready to eat or harvest.Also: ready, mellow.
2 other meanings: mature or quick-witted
- 2mature
- Grown up and sensible in thought or behaviour.Also: grown-up, sensible.
- 3quick-witted
- Quick and clever in mind or speech.Also: smart, clever, sharp.
“Aibí” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is aibí after úll (apple, masculine), after bean (woman, feminine) and after a plural.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, aibí.
Riper, ripest, very ripe
Tá an t-arbhar seo níos aibí ná an t-arbhar sin. This corn is riper than that corn.
| riper | níos aibí | in the past tense: ní b'aibí |
|---|---|---|
| ripest | is aibí | in the past tense: ab aibí |
| as ripe as | chomh haibí le | chomh puts an h before a vowel |
| very ripe | an-aibí | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too ripe | ró-aibí | ró- lenites |
“Aibí” 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.
Ripe in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for ripe?
The Irish for ripe is aibí (pronounced “AB-ee”). It comes after the noun: úll aibí, a ripe apple; bean aibí, a ripe woman.
How do you say riper and ripest in Irish?
níos aibí is riper and is aibí is ripest. In the past tense they become ní b'aibí and ab aibí.
How do you say very ripe in Irish?
an-aibí. Too ripe is ró-aibí, and as ripe as is chomh haibí le.
Does aibí have more than one meaning?
Yes. Aibí can mean ripe, mature or quick-witted, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the opposite of 'aibí'?
Unripe fruit is 'glas' or 'anabaí', for example 'úll glas' means a green, unripe apple.
