HeyRuaHow to say “sly” in Irish
- Irish:
- slítheánta
- English:
- sly, furtive
- Word type:
- adjective
- Slier:
- níos slítheánta
- Sliest:
- is slítheánta
- Pronunciation:
- “SHLEE-hawn-ta” /ˈʃlʲiːhɑːn̪ˠt̪ˠə/
What does “slítheánta” mean?
“Slítheánta” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- sly
- Clever at getting what you want in a hidden or deceitful way.Also: cunning, crafty, wily, sneaky.
1 other meaning: furtive
- 2furtive
- Done secretly so as not to be noticed.Also: stealthy, sneaky.
“Slítheánta” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is slítheánta after sionnach (fox, masculine), after girseach (girl, 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: girseach shlítheánta. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: sionnach slítheánta.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, slítheánta. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: sionnaigh shlítheánta; after other plurals it does not: girseacha slítheánta.
Slier, sliest, very sly
Tá sé níos slítheánta ná a dheartháir. He is slyer than his brother.
| slier | níos slítheánta | in the past tense: ní ba shlítheánta |
|---|---|---|
| sliest | is slítheánta | in the past tense: ba shlítheánta |
| as sly as | chomh slítheánta le | no change after chomh |
| very sly | an-slítheánta | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too sly | róshlítheánta | ró- lenites |
“Slítheánta” 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.
Sly in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for sly?
The Irish for sly is slítheánta (pronounced “SHLEE-hawn-ta”). It comes after the noun: sionnach slítheánta, a sly fox; girseach shlítheánta, a sly girl.
How do you say slier and sliest in Irish?
níos slítheánta is slier and is slítheánta is sliest. In the past tense they become ní ba shlítheánta and ba shlítheánta.
Why does slítheánta become shlítheánta?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach shlítheánta (a sly girl) but sionnach slítheánta (a sly fox), because sionnach is masculine.
How do you say very sly in Irish?
an-slítheánta. Too sly is róshlítheánta, and as sly as is chomh slítheánta le.
Does slítheánta have more than one meaning?
Yes. Slítheánta can mean sly or furtive, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How is 'slítheánta' different from 'glic'?
'Glic' can mean clever or shrewd in a neutral or positive way, while 'slítheánta' is more negative and suggests sneaky, underhand cunning.
