HeyRuaHow to say “to make sure” in Irish
- Irish:
- cinntigh
- English:
- to make sure, confirm
- Word type:
- verb, second-conjugation
- Verbal noun:
- cinntiú (ag cinntiú, making sure)
- Verbal adjective:
- cinntithe
- Pronunciation:
- “KIN-tee” /ˈcɪnʲtʲiː/
What does “cinntigh” mean?
“Cinntigh” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- to make sure
- To check or act so that something is certain or will definitely happen.Also: ensure, make certain, check.
1 other meaning: confirm
- 2to confirm
- To establish or state that something is true or definite.Also: ascertain, verify, determine.
“Cinntigh” in the different tenses
Every form follows An Caighdeán Oifigiúil.
Aimsir Chaite (Past)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | Chinntigh méI made sure | Níor chinntigh méI did not make sure | Ar chinntigh mé?Did I make sure? |
| tú (you) | Chinntigh túYou made sure | Níor chinntigh túYou did not make sure | Ar chinntigh tú?Did you make sure? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Chinntigh sé / síHe made sure | Níor chinntigh sé / síHe did not make sure | Ar chinntigh sé / sí?Did he make sure? |
| sinn (we) | ChinntíomarWe made sure | Níor chinntíomarWe did not make sure | Ar chinntíomar?Did we make sure? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Chinntigh sibhYou made sure | Níor chinntigh sibhYou did not make sure | Ar chinntigh sibh?Did you make sure? |
| siad (they) | Chinntigh siadThey made sure | Níor chinntigh siadThey did not make sure | Ar chinntigh siad?Did they make sure? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Cinntíodh | Níor cinntíodh | Ar cinntíodh? |
Aimsir Láithreach (Present)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | CinntímI make sure | Ní chinntímI do not make sure | An gcinntím?Do I make sure? |
| tú (you) | Cinntíonn túYou make sure | Ní chinntíonn túYou do not make sure | An gcinntíonn tú?Do you make sure? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Cinntíonn sé / síHe makes sure | Ní chinntíonn sé / síHe does not make sure | An gcinntíonn sé / sí?Does he make sure? |
| sinn (we) | CinntímidWe make sure | Ní chinntímidWe do not make sure | An gcinntímid?Do we make sure? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Cinntíonn sibhYou make sure | Ní chinntíonn sibhYou do not make sure | An gcinntíonn sibh?Do you make sure? |
| siad (they) | Cinntíonn siadThey make sure | Ní chinntíonn siadThey do not make sure | An gcinntíonn siad?Do they make sure? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Cinntítear | Ní chinntítear | An gcinntítear? |
Aimsir Fháistineach (Future)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | Cinnteoidh méI will make sure | Ní chinnteoidh méI will not make sure | An gcinnteoidh mé?Will I make sure? |
| tú (you) | Cinnteoidh túYou will make sure | Ní chinnteoidh túYou will not make sure | An gcinnteoidh tú?Will you make sure? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Cinnteoidh sé / síHe will make sure | Ní chinnteoidh sé / síHe will not make sure | An gcinnteoidh sé / sí?Will he make sure? |
| sinn (we) | CinnteoimidWe will make sure | Ní chinnteoimidWe will not make sure | An gcinnteoimid?Will we make sure? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Cinnteoidh sibhYou will make sure | Ní chinnteoidh sibhYou will not make sure | An gcinnteoidh sibh?Will you make sure? |
| siad (they) | Cinnteoidh siadThey will make sure | Ní chinnteoidh siadThey will not make sure | An gcinnteoidh siad?Will they make sure? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Cinnteofar | Ní chinnteofar | An gcinnteofar? |
Modh Coinníollach (Conditional)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | ChinnteoinnI would make sure | Ní chinnteoinnI would not make sure | An gcinnteoinn?Would I make sure? |
| tú (you) | ChinnteofáYou would make sure | Ní chinnteofáYou would not make sure | An gcinnteofá?Would you make sure? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Chinnteodh sé / síHe would make sure | Ní chinnteodh sé / síHe would not make sure | An gcinnteodh sé / sí?Would he make sure? |
| sinn (we) | ChinnteoimisWe would make sure | Ní chinnteoimisWe would not make sure | An gcinnteoimis?Would we make sure? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Chinnteodh sibhYou would make sure | Ní chinnteodh sibhYou would not make sure | An gcinnteodh sibh?Would you make sure? |
| siad (they) | ChinnteoidísThey would make sure | Ní chinnteoidísThey would not make sure | An gcinnteoidís?Would they make sure? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Chinnteofaí | Ní chinnteofaí | An gcinnteofaí? |
“Cinntigh” in a sentence: Irish examples
Past, present, future and conditional, with a negative and a question.
Chinntigh sí go raibh an doras faoi ghlas.
She made sure the door was locked.
Cinntíonn an múinteoir go mbíonn gach duine i láthair.
The teacher makes sure everyone is present.
Cinnteoidh mé an t-am leat amárach.
I'll confirm the time with you tomorrow.
Chinnteodh sé sin go mbeadh sé slán.
That would ensure it would be safe.
Níor chinntigh siad an áirithint fós.
They haven't confirmed the booking yet.
Ar chinntigh tú go raibh na ticéid agat?
Did you make sure you had the tickets?
Other verbs in Irish
More everyday Irish verbs to learn next.
To make sure in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for to make sure?
The Irish for to make sure is cinntigh (pronounced “KIN-tee”). It is a second-conjugation verb; the verbal noun is cinntiú.
What is the verbal noun of cinntigh?
The verbal noun of cinntigh is cinntiú, used after ag for the continuous: ag cinntiú (making sure). The verbal adjective is cinntithe.
How do you say cinntigh in the past and the future?
Past: Chinntigh mé; negative Níor chinntigh mé; question Ar chinntigh mé?. Future: Cinnteoidh mé; negative Ní chinnteoidh mé; question An gcinnteoidh mé?.
What is the modh coinníollach of cinntigh?
The conditional (modh coinníollach) first person is Chinnteoinn (I would make sure); negative Ní chinnteoinn; question An gcinnteoinn?.
Does cinntigh have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cinntigh can mean to make sure or to confirm, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'cinntigh' and 'deimhnigh'?
'Cinntigh' mainly means to make sure or ensure, as in 'cinntigh go bhfuil tú réidh'. 'Deimhnigh' leans more towards confirming or certifying, as in 'deimhnigh an t-ordú'.
How do I say 'make sure that' with 'cinntigh'?
Use 'go' with the dependent verb form: 'Cinntigh go bhfuil an solas múchta' means 'Make sure the light is off'.
