HeyRuaHow to say “tight” in Irish
- Irish:
- teann
- English:
- tight, firm, strong
- Word type:
- adjective
- Tighter:
- níos teinne
- Tightest:
- is teinne
- Plural:
- teanna
- Pronunciation:
- “tyown” /tʲaun̪ˠ/
What does “teann” mean?
“Teann” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- tight
- Pulled or fitted closely so that there is no slack.Also: taut, tense, stretched.
2 other meanings: firm or strong
The same spelling has its own page as:
“Teann” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is teann after rópa (rope, masculine), after bróg (shoe, 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: bróg theann. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: rópa teann.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, teanna. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: bróga teanna.
Tighter, tightest, very tight
Tá an crios seo níos teinne ná an ceann eile. This belt is tighter than the other one.
| tighter | níos teinne | in the past tense: ní ba theinne |
|---|---|---|
| tightest | is teinne | in the past tense: ba theinne |
| as tight as | chomh teann le | no change after chomh |
| very tight | an-teann | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too tight | rótheann | ró- lenites |
“Teann” 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.
Tight in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for tight?
The Irish for tight is teann (pronounced “tyown”). It comes after the noun: rópa teann, a tight rope; bróg theann, a tight shoe.
How do you say tighter and tightest in Irish?
níos teinne is tighter and is teinne is tightest. In the past tense they become ní ba theinne and ba theinne.
Why does teann become theann?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bróg theann (a tight shoe) but rópa teann (a tight rope), because rópa is masculine.
What is the plural of teann?
With a plural noun teann becomes teanna: rópaí teanna, bróga teanna.
How do you say very tight in Irish?
an-teann. Too tight is rótheann, and as tight as is chomh teann le.
Does teann have more than one meaning?
Yes. Teann can mean tight, firm or strong, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'teann' and 'docht'?
Both can mean tight: 'docht' is used for things fastened or fitting tightly, while 'teann' stresses tautness and firmness, and also boldness, as in 'fear teann'.
Is 'teann' also a verb?
Yes, 'teann' as a verb means to tighten or press, as in 'Teann do chrios' (Tighten your belt).
