HeyRuaHow to say “threadbare” in Irish
- Irish:
- smolchaite
- English:
- threadbare, hackneyed
- Word type:
- adjective
- More threadbare:
- níos smolchaite
- Most threadbare:
- is smolchaite
- Pronunciation:
- “SMUL-khat-yeh” /ˈsmɔlˌxatʲə/
What does “smolchaite” mean?
“Smolchaite” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- threadbare
- Worn thin and shabby from long use, especially of clothes.Also: worn, shabby, frayed, worn out.
1 other meaning: hackneyed
- 2hackneyed
- Used so often that it has lost its freshness or interest.Also: trite, clichéd, stale, overused.
“Smolchaite” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is smolchaite after cóta (coat, masculine), after bróg (shoe, feminine) and after a plural.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, smolchaite.
More threadbare, most threadbare, very threadbare
Tá an seaicéad seo níos smolchaite ná an ceann eile. This jacket is more worn than the other one.
| more threadbare | níos smolchaite | in the past tense: ní ba smolchaite |
|---|---|---|
| most threadbare | is smolchaite | in the past tense: ba smolchaite |
| as threadbare as | chomh smolchaite le | no change after chomh |
| very threadbare | an-smolchaite | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too threadbare | rósmolchaite | ró- lenites |
“Smolchaite” 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.
Threadbare in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for threadbare?
The Irish for threadbare is smolchaite (pronounced “SMUL-khat-yeh”). It comes after the noun: cóta smolchaite, a threadbare coat; bróg smolchaite, a threadbare shoe.
How do you say more threadbare and most threadbare in Irish?
níos smolchaite is more threadbare and is smolchaite is most threadbare. In the past tense they become ní ba smolchaite and ba smolchaite.
How do you say very threadbare in Irish?
an-smolchaite. Too threadbare is rósmolchaite, and as threadbare as is chomh smolchaite le.
Does smolchaite have more than one meaning?
Yes. Smolchaite can mean threadbare or hackneyed, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How is 'smolchaite' different from 'caite'?
'Caite' simply means worn or spent, while 'smolchaite' stresses being worn thin and shabby, or hackneyed when said of words, as in 'nath smolchaite'.
