HeyRuaHow to say “threatening” in Irish
- Irish:
- bagrach
- English:
- threatening, ominous
- Word type:
- adjective
- More threatening:
- níos bagraí
- Most threatening:
- is bagraí
- Plural:
- bagracha
- Pronunciation:
- “BOG-ruh-ukh” /ˈbˠaɡəɾˠəx/
What does “bagrach” mean?
“Bagrach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- threatening
- Showing an intention to harm or punish someone.Also: menacing, intimidating, minatory.
1 other meaning: ominous
- 2ominous
- Suggesting that something bad, such as a storm, is coming.Also: lowering, foreboding.
“Bagrach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is bagrach after fear (man, masculine), after litir (letter, 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: litir bhagrach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear bagrach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, bagracha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir bhagracha; after other plurals it does not: litreacha bagracha.
More threatening, most threatening, very threatening
Bhí a ghlór níos bagraí an uair seo. His voice was more threatening this time.
| more threatening | níos bagraí | in the past tense: ní ba bhagraí |
|---|---|---|
| most threatening | is bagraí | in the past tense: ba bhagraí |
| as threatening as | chomh bagrach le | no change after chomh |
| very threatening | an-bhagrach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too threatening | róbhagrach | ró- lenites |
“Bagrach” 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.
Threatening in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for threatening?
The Irish for threatening is bagrach (pronounced “BOG-ruh-ukh”). It comes after the noun: fear bagrach, a threatening man; litir bhagrach, a threatening letter.
How do you say more threatening and most threatening in Irish?
níos bagraí is more threatening and is bagraí is most threatening. In the past tense they become ní ba bhagraí and ba bhagraí.
Why does bagrach become bhagrach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So litir bhagrach (a threatening letter) but fear bagrach (a threatening man), because fear is masculine.
What is the plural of bagrach?
With a plural noun bagrach becomes bagracha: fir bhagracha, litreacha bagracha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very threatening in Irish?
an-bhagrach. Too threatening is róbhagrach, and as threatening as is chomh bagrach le.
Does bagrach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Bagrach can mean threatening or ominous, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Which noun is 'bagrach' related to?
It comes from 'bagairt', a threat, and the verb 'bagair', to threaten, as in 'Bhagair sé orm', he threatened me.
