HeyRuaHow to say “shrewd” in Irish
- Irish:
- géarchúiseach
- English:
- shrewd, incisive
- Word type:
- adjective
- Shrewder:
- níos géarchúisí
- Shrewdest:
- is géarchúisí
- Plural:
- géarchúiseacha
- Pronunciation:
- “GAYR-khoo-shukh” /ˈɟeːɾˌxuːʃəx/
What does “géarchúiseach” mean?
“Géarchúiseach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- shrewd
- Quick to see and understand things clearly, especially what others miss.Also: astute, perceptive, discerning, sharp, penetrating.
1 other meaning: incisive
- 2incisive
- Describes a comment, review or analysis that is sharp and gets to the heart of a matter.Also: penetrating, keen, acute.
“Géarchúiseach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is géarchúiseach after léirmheas (review, masculine), after breith (judgement, 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: breith ghéarchúiseach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: léirmheas géarchúiseach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, géarchúiseacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: breitheanna géarchúiseacha.
Shrewder, shrewdest, very shrewd
Tá sise níos géarchúisí ná a deartháir. She is shrewder than her brother.
| shrewder | níos géarchúisí | in the past tense: ní ba ghéarchúisí |
|---|---|---|
| shrewdest | is géarchúisí | in the past tense: ba ghéarchúisí |
| as shrewd as | chomh géarchúiseach le | no change after chomh |
| very shrewd | an-ghéarchúiseach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too shrewd | róghéarchúiseach | ró- lenites |
“Géarchúiseach” 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.
Shrewd in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for shrewd?
The Irish for shrewd is géarchúiseach (pronounced “GAYR-khoo-shukh”). It comes after the noun: léirmheas géarchúiseach, a shrewd review; breith ghéarchúiseach, a shrewd judgement.
How do you say shrewder and shrewdest in Irish?
níos géarchúisí is shrewder and is géarchúisí is shrewdest. In the past tense they become ní ba ghéarchúisí and ba ghéarchúisí.
Why does géarchúiseach become ghéarchúiseach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So breith ghéarchúiseach (a shrewd judgement) but léirmheas géarchúiseach (a shrewd review), because léirmheas is masculine.
What is the plural of géarchúiseach?
With a plural noun géarchúiseach becomes géarchúiseacha: léirmheasanna géarchúiseacha, breitheanna géarchúiseacha.
How do you say very shrewd in Irish?
an-ghéarchúiseach. Too shrewd is róghéarchúiseach, and as shrewd as is chomh géarchúiseach le.
Does géarchúiseach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Géarchúiseach can mean shrewd or incisive, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How is 'géarchúiseach' different from 'glic'?
'Géarchúiseach' praises sharp insight and discernment, while 'glic' means clever or cunning and can suggest slyness.
