HeyRuaHow to say “simple” in Irish
- Irish:
- simplí
- English:
- simple, plain, simple-minded
- Word type:
- adjective
- More simple:
- níos simplí
- Most simple:
- is simplí
- Pronunciation:
- “SHIM-plee” /ˈʃimʲpʲlʲiː/
What does “simplí” mean?
“Simplí” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- simple
- Easy to understand or do, not complicated.Also: uncomplicated, easy, straightforward.
2 other meanings: plain or simple-minded
- 2plain
- Ordinary and without decoration or anything fancy.Also: ordinary, unadorned, modest.
- 3simple-minded
- Naive or unsophisticated in thinking.Also: naive, unsophisticated, innocent.
Other Irish adjectives for simple: éasca (easy), furasta (easy), pléineáilte (plain)
“Simplí” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is simplí after bia (food, masculine), after oifig (office, 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: oifig shimplí. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: bia simplí.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, simplí. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: oifigí simplí.
More simple, most simple, very simple
Tá an modh seo níos simplí ná an ceann eile. This method is simpler than the other one.
| more simple | níos simplí | in the past tense: ní ba shimplí |
|---|---|---|
| most simple | is simplí | in the past tense: ba shimplí |
| as simple as | chomh simplí le | no change after chomh |
| very simple | an-simplí | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too simple | róshimplí | ró- lenites |
“Simplí” 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.
Simple in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for simple?
The Irish for simple is simplí (pronounced “SHIM-plee”). It comes after the noun: bia simplí, simple food; oifig shimplí, a simple office.
How do you say more simple and most simple in Irish?
níos simplí is more simple and is simplí is most simple. In the past tense they become ní ba shimplí and ba shimplí.
Why does simplí become shimplí?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So oifig shimplí (a simple office) but bia simplí (simple food), because bia is masculine.
How do you say very simple in Irish?
an-simplí. Too simple is róshimplí, and as simple as is chomh simplí le.
Does simplí have more than one meaning?
Yes. Simplí can mean simple, plain or simple-minded, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between simplí and éasca?
Simplí means simple or uncomplicated in structure, while éasca and furasta mean easy to do. A task can be simplí and still not éasca.
