HeyRuaHow to say “sure” in Irish
- Irish:
- cinnte
- English:
- sure, definite, stingy
- Word type:
- adjective
- Surer:
- níos cinnte
- Surest:
- is cinnte
- Pronunciation:
- “KINN-cha” /ˈcinʲtʲə/
What does “cinnte” mean?
“Cinnte” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- sure
- Having no doubt about something; certain in your mind.Also: certain, positive, convinced.
2 other meanings: definite or stingy
“Cinnte” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is cinnte after lá (day, masculine), after aimsir (weather, 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: aimsir chinnte. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: lá cinnte.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, cinnte. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: aimsirí cinnte.
Surer, surest, very sure
Táim níos cinnte anois ná mar a bhí mé inné. I am more sure now than I was yesterday.
| surer | níos cinnte | in the past tense: ní ba chinnte |
|---|---|---|
| surest | is cinnte | in the past tense: ba chinnte |
| as sure as | chomh cinnte le | no change after chomh |
| very sure | an-chinnte | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too sure | róchinnte | ró- lenites |
“Cinnte” in a sentence: Irish examples
With a masculine noun, a feminine noun, a plural, a comparison and on its own.
Phrases with cinnte: Cinnte (certainly)
Other adjectives in Irish
More everyday Irish adjectives to learn next.
Phrases with “cinnte”
Sure in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for sure?
The Irish for sure is cinnte (pronounced “KINN-cha”). It comes after the noun: lá cinnte, a sure day; aimsir chinnte, sure weather.
How do you say surer and surest in Irish?
níos cinnte is surer and is cinnte is surest. In the past tense they become ní ba chinnte and ba chinnte.
Why does cinnte become chinnte?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So aimsir chinnte (sure weather) but lá cinnte (a sure day), because lá is masculine.
How do you say very sure in Irish?
an-chinnte. Too sure is róchinnte, and as sure as is chomh cinnte le.
Does cinnte have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cinnte can mean sure, definite or stingy, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say 'certainly' using cinnte?
Use 'go cinnte', for example 'Beidh mé ann, go cinnte' means 'I will certainly be there'. On its own, 'cinnte' is also used as a reply meaning 'sure'.
Which preposition goes with cinnte?
Use 'de' or 'faoi' for what you are sure of: 'Tá mé cinnte de' means 'I am sure of it', and 'Déan cinnte de' means 'Make sure of it'.
