HeyRuaHow to say “square” in Irish
- Irish:
- cearnach
- English:
- square, square (of measurement)
- Word type:
- adjective
- Squarer:
- níos cearnaí
- Squarest:
- is cearnaí
- Plural:
- cearnacha
- Pronunciation:
- “KYAR-nukh” /ˈcaɾˠn̪ˠəx/
What does “cearnach” mean?
“Cearnach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- square
- Having four equal sides and four right angles, shaped like a square.Also: square-shaped, quadrangular.
1 other meaning: square (of measurement)
- 2square (of measurement)
- Used in units of area, such as square metres.Also: square, squared.
Other Irish adjectives for square: cearnógach (square)
“Cearnach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is cearnach after bosca (box, masculine), after fuinneog (window, 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: fuinneog chearnach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: bosca cearnach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, cearnacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: fuinneoga cearnacha.
Squarer, squarest, very square
Tá an bord seo níos cearnaí ná an ceann eile. This table is squarer than the other one.
| squarer | níos cearnaí | in the past tense: ní ba chearnaí |
|---|---|---|
| squarest | is cearnaí | in the past tense: ba chearnaí |
| as square as | chomh cearnach le | no change after chomh |
| very square | an-chearnach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too square | róchearnach | ró- lenites |
“Cearnach” 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.
Square in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for square?
The Irish for square is cearnach (pronounced “KYAR-nukh”). It comes after the noun: bosca cearnach, a square box; fuinneog chearnach, a square window.
How do you say squarer and squarest in Irish?
níos cearnaí is squarer and is cearnaí is squarest. In the past tense they become ní ba chearnaí and ba chearnaí.
Why does cearnach become chearnach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So fuinneog chearnach (a square window) but bosca cearnach (a square box), because bosca is masculine.
What is the plural of cearnach?
With a plural noun cearnach becomes cearnacha: boscaí cearnacha, fuinneoga cearnacha.
How do you say very square in Irish?
an-chearnach. Too square is róchearnach, and as square as is chomh cearnach le.
Does cearnach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cearnach can mean square or square (of measurement), depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say 'square root' in Irish?
A square root is 'fréamh chearnach', with 'cearnach' lenited after the feminine noun 'fréamh'.
What is the noun for a square?
The shape itself is 'cearnóg', while 'cearnach' is the adjective meaning square.
