HeyRuaHow to say “selfish” in Irish
- Irish:
- leithleach
- English:
- selfish, separate, peculiar, standoffish
- Word type:
- adjective
- More selfish:
- níos leithlí
- Most selfish:
- is leithlí
- Plural:
- leithleacha
- Pronunciation:
- “LEH-lukh” /ˈlʲɛlʲəx/
What does “leithleach” mean?
“Leithleach” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- selfish
- Thinking only of yourself and not of other people.Also: self-centred, egotistical, egocentric.
3 other meanings: separate or peculiar or standoffish
- 2separate
- Apart or distinct from other things, kept by itself.Also: distinct, apart, isolated.
- 3peculiar
- Belonging particularly to one person or thing and not shared with others.Also: particular, special, exclusive.
- 4standoffish
- Keeping to yourself and not friendly or sociable with others.Also: aloof, unsociable, clannish.
“Leithleach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is leithleach after fear (man, masculine), after bean (woman, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, leithleacha.
More selfish, most selfish, very selfish
Tá sé níos leithlí ná a dheirfiúr. He is more selfish than his sister.
| more selfish | níos leithlí | in the past tense: ní ba leithlí |
|---|---|---|
| most selfish | is leithlí | in the past tense: ba leithlí |
| as selfish as | chomh leithleach le | no change after chomh |
| very selfish | an-leithleach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too selfish | róleithleach | ró- lenites |
“Leithleach” 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.
Selfish in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for selfish?
The Irish for selfish is leithleach (pronounced “LEH-lukh”). It comes after the noun: fear leithleach, a selfish man; bean leithleach, a selfish woman.
How do you say more selfish and most selfish in Irish?
níos leithlí is more selfish and is leithlí is most selfish. In the past tense they become ní ba leithlí and ba leithlí.
What is the plural of leithleach?
With a plural noun leithleach becomes leithleacha: fir leithleacha, mná leithleacha.
How do you say very selfish in Irish?
an-leithleach. Too selfish is róleithleach, and as selfish as is chomh leithleach le.
Does leithleach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Leithleach can mean selfish, separate, peculiar or standoffish, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How is 'leithleach' related to 'ar leith'?
Both come from 'leith', meaning side or part: 'ar leith' means special or separate, and 'leithleach' means separate or, more commonly, selfish.
Is there another word for selfish?
Yes, 'féinchúiseach' also means selfish or self-interested, while 'santach' means greedy.
