HeyRuaHow to say “terseness” in Irish
- Irish:
- gontacht
- English:
- terseness, pungency
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, third declension
- Pronunciation:
- “GUN-tukht” /ˈɡɔn̪ˠt̪ˠəxt̪ˠ/
- Genitive singular:
- gontachta, na gontachta (e.g. tábhacht na gontachta, the importance of conciseness)
What does “gontacht” mean?
“Gontacht” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- terseness
- The quality of being short, sharp and to the point in speech or writing.Also: pithiness, conciseness, brevity, succinctness.
1 other meaning: pungency
- 2pungency
- Sharpness or cutting quality, as of a remark or wit.Also: sharpness, pointedness, incisiveness.
“Gontacht” with the article
Here is gontacht after the article (an t-alt).
“Gontacht” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using gontacht, the Irish word for terseness.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Terseness in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for terseness?
The Irish for terseness is gontacht (pronounced “GUN-tukht”). It’s a feminine noun. Depending on context it can also mean pungency.
How do you pronounce gontacht in Irish?
Gontacht is said like “GUN-tukht” (IPA /ˈɡɔn̪ˠt̪ˠəxt̪ˠ/).
Does gontacht have a plural?
No plural form is given for gontacht in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.
Does gontacht have more than one meaning?
Yes. Gontacht can mean terseness or pungency, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does gontacht change to ghontacht or ngontacht?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) gontacht becomes mo ghontacht (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ngontacht (eclipsis).
How does 'gontacht' relate to the adjective 'gonta'?
'Gontacht' is the abstract noun from 'gonta', meaning terse or pithy, as in 'freagra gonta' (a terse answer).
