HeyRuaHow to say “timid” in Irish
- Irish:
- faiteach
- English:
- timid, shy
- Word type:
- adjective
- More timid:
- níos faití
- Most timid:
- is faití
- Plural:
- faiteacha
- Pronunciation:
- “FAT-yukh” /ˈfˠatʲəx/
What does “faiteach” mean?
“Faiteach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- timid
- Easily frightened and lacking courage.Also: fearful, timorous, nervous, afraid.
1 other meaning: shy
- 2shy
- Uneasy and reserved in the company of other people.Also: bashful, diffident, reserved.
“Faiteach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is faiteach after páiste (child, masculine), after girseach (girl, 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: girseach fhaiteach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: páiste faiteach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, faiteacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: girseacha faiteacha.
More timid, most timid, very timid
Tá sí níos faití ná a deartháir. She is shyer than her brother.
| more timid | níos faití | in the past tense: ní b'fhaití |
|---|---|---|
| most timid | is faití | in the past tense: ab fhaití |
| as timid as | chomh faiteach le | no change after chomh |
| very timid | an-fhaiteach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too timid | rófhaiteach | ró- lenites |
“Faiteach” 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.
Timid in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for timid?
The Irish for timid is faiteach (pronounced “FAT-yukh”). It comes after the noun: páiste faiteach, a timid child; girseach fhaiteach, a timid girl.
How do you say more timid and most timid in Irish?
níos faití is more timid and is faití is most timid. In the past tense they become ní b'fhaití and ab fhaití.
Why does faiteach become fhaiteach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach fhaiteach (a timid girl) but páiste faiteach (a timid child), because páiste is masculine.
What is the plural of faiteach?
With a plural noun faiteach becomes faiteacha: páistí faiteacha, girseacha faiteacha.
How do you say very timid in Irish?
an-fhaiteach. Too timid is rófhaiteach, and as timid as is chomh faiteach le.
Does faiteach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Faiteach can mean timid or shy, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Which preposition goes with faiteach?
Use roimh for what someone is afraid of: Tá sé faiteach roimh an dorchadas, he is afraid of the dark.
What is the difference between faiteach and cúthail?
Cúthail mainly means shy or bashful with people, while faiteach covers both shyness and being timid or fearful.
