HeyRuaHow to say “sore” in Irish
- Irish:
- nimhneach
- English:
- sore, hurtful, venomous, touchy
- Word type:
- adjective
- Sorer:
- níos nimhní
- Sorest:
- is nimhní
- Plural:
- nimhneacha
- Pronunciation:
- “NIV-nyukh” /ˈnʲivʲnʲəx/
What does “nimhneach” mean?
“Nimhneach” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- sore
- Causing physical pain or hurting, especially a part of the body.Also: painful, aching, tender.
3 other meanings: hurtful or venomous or touchy
- 2hurtful
- Wounding someone's feelings, as of words or remarks.Also: cutting, stinging, bitter.
- 3venomous
- Full of spite or malice towards others.Also: spiteful, malicious, virulent.
- 4touchy
- Easily offended or over-sensitive, of a person.Also: over-sensitive, prickly, thin-skinned.
Other Irish adjectives for sore: pianmhar (painful)
“Nimhneach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is nimhneach after droim (back, masculine), after cos (foot, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, nimhneacha.
Sorer, sorest, very sore
Tá mo lámh níos nimhní ná mar a bhí inné. My hand is sorer than it was yesterday.
| sorer | níos nimhní | in the past tense: ní ba nimhní |
|---|---|---|
| sorest | is nimhní | in the past tense: ba nimhní |
| as sore as | chomh nimhneach le | no change after chomh |
| very sore | an-nimhneach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too sore | rónimhneach | ró- lenites |
“Nimhneach” 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.
Sore in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for sore?
The Irish for sore is nimhneach (pronounced “NIV-nyukh”). It comes after the noun: droim nimhneach, a sore back; cos nimhneach, a sore foot.
How do you say sorer and sorest in Irish?
níos nimhní is sorer and is nimhní is sorest. In the past tense they become ní ba nimhní and ba nimhní.
What is the plural of nimhneach?
With a plural noun nimhneach becomes nimhneacha: dromanna nimhneacha, cosa nimhneacha.
How do you say very sore in Irish?
an-nimhneach. Too sore is rónimhneach, and as sore as is chomh nimhneach le.
Does nimhneach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Nimhneach can mean sore, hurtful, venomous or touchy, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between nimhneach and nimhiúil?
Nimhneach usually means sore or hurtful, as in 'Tá mo dhroim nimhneach'. Nimhiúil means poisonous or toxic, as in 'beacán nimhiúil', a poisonous mushroom.
How do I say something is sore on me?
Use tá with ar: 'Tá droim nimhneach orm' means I have a sore back.
