HeyRuaHow to say “specific” in Irish
- Irish:
- sainiúil
- English:
- specific, distinctive
- Word type:
- adjective
- More specific:
- níos sainiúla
- Most specific:
- is sainiúla
- Plural:
- sainiúla
- Pronunciation:
- “SAN-yoo-il” /ˈsanʲuːlʲ/
What does “sainiúil” mean?
“Sainiúil” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- specific
- Relating to one particular thing rather than things in general.Also: particular, special.
1 other meaning: distinctive
- 2distinctive
- Having a special character that marks it out from others.Also: characteristic, peculiar, unique.
Other Irish adjectives for specific: sonrach (specific)
“Sainiúil” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is sainiúil after cuspóir (objective, masculine), after gné (aspect, 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: gné shainiúil. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: cuspóir sainiúil.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, sainiúla. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: gnéithe sainiúla.
More specific, most specific, very specific
Tá an dara ceist níos sainiúla ná an chéad cheann. The second question is more specific than the first one.
| more specific | níos sainiúla | in the past tense: ní ba shainiúla |
|---|---|---|
| most specific | is sainiúla | in the past tense: ba shainiúla |
| as specific as | chomh sainiúil le | no change after chomh |
| very specific | an-sainiúil | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too specific | róshainiúil | ró- lenites |
“Sainiúil” 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.
Specific in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for specific?
The Irish for specific is sainiúil (pronounced “SAN-yoo-il”). It comes after the noun: cuspóir sainiúil, a specific objective; gné shainiúil, a specific aspect.
How do you say more specific and most specific in Irish?
níos sainiúla is more specific and is sainiúla is most specific. In the past tense they become ní ba shainiúla and ba shainiúla.
Why does sainiúil become shainiúil?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So gné shainiúil (a specific aspect) but cuspóir sainiúil (a specific objective), because cuspóir is masculine.
What is the plural of sainiúil?
With a plural noun sainiúil becomes sainiúla: cuspóirí sainiúla, gnéithe sainiúla.
How do you say very specific in Irish?
an-sainiúil. Too specific is róshainiúil, and as specific as is chomh sainiúil le.
Does sainiúil have more than one meaning?
Yes. Sainiúil can mean specific or distinctive, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'sainiúil' and 'sonrach'?
Both can mean specific, but 'sainiúil' often stresses what is distinctive or characteristic, while 'sonrach' stresses being precise or particular, as in 'eolas sonrach', specific information.
