HeyRuaHow to say “sensible” in Irish
- Irish:
- céillí
- English:
- sensible, reasonable
- Word type:
- adjective
- More sensible:
- níos céillí
- Most sensible:
- is céillí
- Pronunciation:
- “KAYL-ee” /ˈceːlʲiː/
What does “céillí” mean?
“Céillí” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- sensible
- Showing good sense and sound judgment in what you do or say.Also: wise, prudent, level-headed.
“Céillí” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is céillí after buachaill (boy, 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 chéillí. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: buachaill céillí.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, céillí. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: mná céillí.
More sensible, most sensible, very sensible
Tá Máire níos céillí ná a deartháir. Máire is more sensible than her brother.
| more sensible | níos céillí | in the past tense: ní ba chéillí |
|---|---|---|
| most sensible | is céillí | in the past tense: ba chéillí |
| as sensible as | chomh céillí le | no change after chomh |
| very sensible | an-chéillí | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too sensible | róchéillí | ró- lenites |
“Céillí” 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.
Sensible in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for sensible?
The Irish for sensible is céillí (pronounced “KAYL-ee”). It comes after the noun: buachaill céillí, a sensible boy; bean chéillí, a sensible woman.
How do you say more sensible and most sensible in Irish?
níos céillí is more sensible and is céillí is most sensible. In the past tense they become ní ba chéillí and ba chéillí.
Why does céillí become chéillí?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean chéillí (a sensible woman) but buachaill céillí (a sensible boy), because buachaill is masculine.
How do you say very sensible in Irish?
an-chéillí. Too sensible is róchéillí, and as sensible as is chomh céillí le.
Does céillí have more than one meaning?
Yes. Céillí can mean sensible or reasonable, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'céillí' and 'ciallmhar'?
Both mean sensible and come from 'ciall' (sense); 'ciallmhar' is more common in the standard, while 'céillí' is often heard in speech, especially in Connacht and Ulster.
