HeyRuaHow to say “tough” in Irish
- Irish:
- righin
- English:
- tough, tenacious, slow
- Word type:
- adjective
- Tougher:
- níos righne
- Toughest:
- is righne
- Plural:
- righne
- Pronunciation:
- “ree-in” /ɾˠiːnʲ/
What does “righin” mean?
“Righin” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- tough
- Hard to cut, chew or break; not tender or brittle.Also: leathery, sinewy, stiff.
2 other meanings: tenacious or slow
- 2tenacious
- Stubborn and slow to give in or change.Also: stubborn, obstinate, obdurate.
- 3slow
- Slow, sluggish or tardy in moving or acting.Also: sluggish, tardy, deliberate.
“Righin” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is righin after fear (man, masculine), after feoil (meat, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, righne.
Tougher, toughest, very tough
Tá an mhairteoil seo níos righne ná an chuid eile. This beef is tougher than the rest.
| tougher | níos righne | in the past tense: ní ba righne |
|---|---|---|
| toughest | is righne | in the past tense: ba righne |
| as tough as | chomh righin le | no change after chomh |
| very tough | an-righin | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too tough | rórighin | ró- lenites |
“Righin” 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.
Tough in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for tough?
The Irish for tough is righin (pronounced “ree-in”). It comes after the noun: fear righin, a tough man; feoil righin, tough meat.
How do you say tougher and toughest in Irish?
níos righne is tougher and is righne is toughest. In the past tense they become ní ba righne and ba righne.
What is the plural of righin?
With a plural noun righin becomes righne: fir righne, feolta righne.
How do you say very tough in Irish?
an-righin. Too tough is rórighin, and as tough as is chomh righin le.
Does righin have more than one meaning?
Yes. Righin can mean tough, tenacious or slow, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Is 'righin' the same as 'crua'?
Not quite: 'crua' means hard, while 'righin' means tough or chewy, like 'feoil righin' (tough meat) that bends rather than breaks.
