HeyRuaHow to say “talkative” in Irish
- Irish:
- geabach
- English:
- talkative, glib
- Word type:
- adjective
- More talkative:
- níos geabaí
- Most talkative:
- is geabaí
- Plural:
- geabacha
- Pronunciation:
- “GYAB-uch” /ˈɟabˠəx/
What does “geabach” mean?
“Geabach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- talkative
- Describes someone who talks a lot, often in a lively or chatty way.Also: chatty, gabby, garrulous, loquacious.
“Geabach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is geabach after fear (man, masculine), after bean (woman, 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: bean gheabach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear geabach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, geabacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir gheabacha; after other plurals it does not: mná geabacha.
More talkative, most talkative, very talkative
Tá Máire níos geabaí ná a deirfiúr. Máire is more talkative than her sister.
| more talkative | níos geabaí | in the past tense: ní ba gheabaí |
|---|---|---|
| most talkative | is geabaí | in the past tense: ba gheabaí |
| as talkative as | chomh geabach le | no change after chomh |
| very talkative | an-gheabach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too talkative | rógheabach | ró- lenites |
“Geabach” 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.
Talkative in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for talkative?
The Irish for talkative is geabach (pronounced “GYAB-uch”). It comes after the noun: fear geabach, a talkative man; bean gheabach, a talkative woman.
How do you say more talkative and most talkative in Irish?
níos geabaí is more talkative and is geabaí is most talkative. In the past tense they become ní ba gheabaí and ba gheabaí.
Why does geabach become gheabach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean gheabach (a talkative woman) but fear geabach (a talkative man), because fear is masculine.
What is the plural of geabach?
With a plural noun geabach becomes geabacha: fir gheabacha, mná geabacha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very talkative in Irish?
an-gheabach. Too talkative is rógheabach, and as talkative as is chomh geabach le.
Does geabach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Geabach can mean talkative or glib, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'geabach' and 'cainteach'?
Both mean talkative, but 'geabach' comes from 'geab' (chatter, gab) and suggests idle or glib chatter, while 'cainteach' is a more neutral word for talkative.
