HeyRuaHow to say “specific” in Irish
- Irish:
- sonrach
- English:
- specific, special
- Word type:
- adjective
- More specific:
- níos sonraí
- Most specific:
- is sonraí
- Plural:
- sonracha
- Pronunciation:
- “SUN-rakh” /ˈsˠʊnˠɾˠəx/
What does “sonrach” mean?
“Sonrach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- specific
- Relating to one particular thing, clearly identified and not general.Also: particular, definite, precise.
1 other meaning: special
- 2special
- Set apart for a particular purpose or person.Also: particular, designated.
Other Irish adjectives for specific: sainiúil (specific)
“Sonrach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is sonrach after cuspóir (objective, masculine), after tuairim (opinion, 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: tuairim shonrach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: cuspóir sonrach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, sonracha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: tuairimí sonracha.
More specific, most specific, very specific
Teastaíonn eolas níos sonraí uainn. We need more specific information.
| more specific | níos sonraí | in the past tense: ní ba shonraí |
|---|---|---|
| most specific | is sonraí | in the past tense: ba shonraí |
| as specific as | chomh sonrach le | no change after chomh |
| very specific | an-sonrach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too specific | róshonrach | ró- lenites |
“Sonrach” 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 sonrach (pronounced “SUN-rakh”). It comes after the noun: cuspóir sonrach, a specific objective; tuairim shonrach, a specific opinion.
How do you say more specific and most specific in Irish?
níos sonraí is more specific and is sonraí is most specific. In the past tense they become ní ba shonraí and ba shonraí.
Why does sonrach become shonrach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So tuairim shonrach (a specific opinion) but cuspóir sonrach (a specific objective), because cuspóir is masculine.
What is the plural of sonrach?
With a plural noun sonrach becomes sonracha: cuspóirí sonracha, tuairimí sonracha.
How do you say very specific in Irish?
an-sonrach. Too specific is róshonrach, and as specific as is chomh sonrach le.
Does sonrach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Sonrach can mean specific or special, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say 'specifically' in Irish?
Use 'go sonrach', for example 'Labhair sé go sonrach faoin airgead', he spoke specifically about the money.
What is the difference between 'sonrach' and 'áirithe'?
'Áirithe' means certain or particular, as in 'duine áirithe', while 'sonrach' stresses being specific or precisely defined, as in 'ceist shonrach'.
