HeyRuaHow to say “sharp” in Irish
- Irish:
- faobhrach
- English:
- sharp, cutting, eager
- Word type:
- adjective
- Sharper:
- níos faobhraí
- Sharpest:
- is faobhraí
- Plural:
- faobhracha
- Pronunciation:
- “FAY-vrukh” /ˈfˠeːvˠɾˠəx/
What does “faobhrach” mean?
“Faobhrach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- sharp
- Having a keen cutting edge, like a well-honed blade.Also: sharp-edged, keen, honed.
“Faobhrach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is faobhrach after fear (man, masculine), after scian (knife, 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: scian fhaobhrach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear faobhrach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, faobhracha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir fhaobhracha; after other plurals it does not: sceana faobhracha.
Sharper, sharpest, very sharp
Tá an tua seo níos faobhraí ná an ceann eile. This axe is sharper than the other one.
| sharper | níos faobhraí | in the past tense: ní b'fhaobhraí |
|---|---|---|
| sharpest | is faobhraí | in the past tense: ab fhaobhraí |
| as sharp as | chomh faobhrach le | no change after chomh |
| very sharp | an-fhaobhrach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too sharp | rófhaobhrach | ró- lenites |
“Faobhrach” 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.
Sharp in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for sharp?
The Irish for sharp is faobhrach (pronounced “FAY-vrukh”). It comes after the noun: fear faobhrach, a sharp man; scian fhaobhrach, a sharp knife.
How do you say sharper and sharpest in Irish?
níos faobhraí is sharper and is faobhraí is sharpest. In the past tense they become ní b'fhaobhraí and ab fhaobhraí.
Why does faobhrach become fhaobhrach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So scian fhaobhrach (a sharp knife) but fear faobhrach (a sharp man), because fear is masculine.
What is the plural of faobhrach?
With a plural noun faobhrach becomes faobhracha: fir fhaobhracha, sceana faobhracha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very sharp in Irish?
an-fhaobhrach. Too sharp is rófhaobhrach, and as sharp as is chomh faobhrach le.
Does faobhrach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Faobhrach can mean sharp, cutting or eager, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'faobhrach' and 'géar'?
'Géar' is the everyday word for sharp, used for knives, tastes and minds. 'Faobhrach' comes from 'faobhar', an edge, and stresses a keen cutting edge, often with a more literary feel.
