HeyRuaHow to say “to discipline” in Irish
- Irish:
- smachtaigh
- English:
- to discipline, control
- Word type:
- verb, second-conjugation
- Verbal noun:
- smachtú (ag smachtú, disciplining)
- Verbal adjective:
- smachtaithe
- Pronunciation:
- “SMOCK-tee” /ˈsmˠaxt̪ˠiː/
What does “smachtaigh” mean?
“Smachtaigh” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- to discipline
- To bring someone under control by training, rules or punishment.Also: chastise, punish, correct.
1 other meaning: control
- 2to control
- To keep something or someone under control or restraint.Also: restrain, subdue, keep in check.
“Smachtaigh” in the different tenses
Every form follows An Caighdeán Oifigiúil.
Aimsir Chaite (Past)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | Smachtaigh méI disciplined | Níor smachtaigh méI did not discipline | Ar smachtaigh mé?Did I discipline? |
| tú (you) | Smachtaigh túYou disciplined | Níor smachtaigh túYou did not discipline | Ar smachtaigh tú?Did you discipline? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Smachtaigh sé / síHe disciplined | Níor smachtaigh sé / síHe did not discipline | Ar smachtaigh sé / sí?Did he discipline? |
| sinn (we) | SmachtaíomarWe disciplined | Níor smachtaíomarWe did not discipline | Ar smachtaíomar?Did we discipline? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Smachtaigh sibhYou disciplined | Níor smachtaigh sibhYou did not discipline | Ar smachtaigh sibh?Did you discipline? |
| siad (they) | Smachtaigh siadThey disciplined | Níor smachtaigh siadThey did not discipline | Ar smachtaigh siad?Did they discipline? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Smachtaíodh | Níor smachtaíodh | Ar smachtaíodh? |
Aimsir Láithreach (Present)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | SmachtaímI discipline | Ní smachtaímI do not discipline | An smachtaím?Do I discipline? |
| tú (you) | Smachtaíonn túYou discipline | Ní smachtaíonn túYou do not discipline | An smachtaíonn tú?Do you discipline? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Smachtaíonn sé / síHe disciplines | Ní smachtaíonn sé / síHe does not discipline | An smachtaíonn sé / sí?Does he discipline? |
| sinn (we) | SmachtaímidWe discipline | Ní smachtaímidWe do not discipline | An smachtaímid?Do we discipline? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Smachtaíonn sibhYou discipline | Ní smachtaíonn sibhYou do not discipline | An smachtaíonn sibh?Do you discipline? |
| siad (they) | Smachtaíonn siadThey discipline | Ní smachtaíonn siadThey do not discipline | An smachtaíonn siad?Do they discipline? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Smachtaítear | Ní smachtaítear | An smachtaítear? |
Aimsir Fháistineach (Future)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | Smachtóidh méI will discipline | Ní smachtóidh méI will not discipline | An smachtóidh mé?Will I discipline? |
| tú (you) | Smachtóidh túYou will discipline | Ní smachtóidh túYou will not discipline | An smachtóidh tú?Will you discipline? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Smachtóidh sé / síHe will discipline | Ní smachtóidh sé / síHe will not discipline | An smachtóidh sé / sí?Will he discipline? |
| sinn (we) | SmachtóimidWe will discipline | Ní smachtóimidWe will not discipline | An smachtóimid?Will we discipline? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Smachtóidh sibhYou will discipline | Ní smachtóidh sibhYou will not discipline | An smachtóidh sibh?Will you discipline? |
| siad (they) | Smachtóidh siadThey will discipline | Ní smachtóidh siadThey will not discipline | An smachtóidh siad?Will they discipline? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Smachtófar | Ní smachtófar | An smachtófar? |
Modh Coinníollach (Conditional)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | SmachtóinnI would discipline | Ní smachtóinnI would not discipline | An smachtóinn?Would I discipline? |
| tú (you) | SmachtófáYou would discipline | Ní smachtófáYou would not discipline | An smachtófá?Would you discipline? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Smachtódh sé / síHe would discipline | Ní smachtódh sé / síHe would not discipline | An smachtódh sé / sí?Would he discipline? |
| sinn (we) | SmachtóimisWe would discipline | Ní smachtóimisWe would not discipline | An smachtóimis?Would we discipline? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Smachtódh sibhYou would discipline | Ní smachtódh sibhYou would not discipline | An smachtódh sibh?Would you discipline? |
| siad (they) | SmachtóidísThey would discipline | Ní smachtóidísThey would not discipline | An smachtóidís?Would they discipline? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Smachtófaí | Ní smachtófaí | An smachtófaí? |
“Smachtaigh” in a sentence: Irish examples
Past, present, future and conditional, with a negative and a question.
Smachtaigh an múinteoir na daltaí dána inné.
The teacher disciplined the bold pupils yesterday.
Smachtaíonn sí a cuid mothúchán go maith.
She controls her emotions well.
Smachtóidh an t-athair an buachaill níos déanaí.
The father will discipline the boy later.
Smachtódh sé an madra dá mbeadh am aige.
He would train the dog if he had time.
Níor smachtaigh siad na páistí riamh.
They never disciplined the children.
Ar smachtaigh tú an rang inniu?
Did you control the class today?
Other verbs in Irish
More everyday Irish verbs to learn next.
To discipline in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for to discipline?
The Irish for to discipline is smachtaigh (pronounced “SMOCK-tee”). It is a second-conjugation verb; the verbal noun is smachtú.
What is the verbal noun of smachtaigh?
The verbal noun of smachtaigh is smachtú, used after ag for the continuous: ag smachtú (disciplining). The verbal adjective is smachtaithe.
How do you say smachtaigh in the past and the future?
Past: Smachtaigh mé; negative Níor smachtaigh mé; question Ar smachtaigh mé?. Future: Smachtóidh mé; negative Ní smachtóidh mé; question An smachtóidh mé?.
What is the modh coinníollach of smachtaigh?
The conditional (modh coinníollach) first person is Smachtóinn (I would discipline); negative Ní smachtóinn; question An smachtóinn?.
Does smachtaigh have more than one meaning?
Yes. Smachtaigh can mean to discipline or to control, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How is 'smachtaigh' related to 'smacht'?
'Smachtaigh' comes from the noun 'smacht' (control, discipline); you can also say 'smacht a chur ar' rud, meaning to bring something under control.
