HeyRuaHow to say “treacherous” in Irish
- Irish:
- fealltach
- English:
- treacherous, deceitful, foul
- Word type:
- adjective
- More treacherous:
- níos fealltaí
- Most treacherous:
- is fealltaí
- Plural:
- fealltacha
- Pronunciation:
- “FAL-tukh” /ˈfʲal̪ˠt̪ˠəx/
What does “fealltach” mean?
“Fealltach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- treacherous
- Likely to betray people who trust you.Also: traitorous, perfidious, disloyal.
2 other meanings: deceitful or foul
- 2deceitful
- Dishonest and tricky, not to be trusted.Also: false, double-dealing, sly.
- 3foul
- Unfair or against the rules, as in a foul blow or foul play.Also: unfair, underhand.
“Fealltach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is fealltach after cara (friend, masculine), after bean (woman, 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: bean fhealltach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: cara fealltach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, fealltacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: mná fealltacha.
More treacherous, most treacherous, very treacherous
Bhí sé níos fealltaí ná a dheartháir. He was more treacherous than his brother.
| more treacherous | níos fealltaí | in the past tense: ní b'fhealltaí |
|---|---|---|
| most treacherous | is fealltaí | in the past tense: ab fhealltaí |
| as treacherous as | chomh fealltach le | no change after chomh |
| very treacherous | an-fhealltach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too treacherous | rófhealltach | ró- lenites |
“Fealltach” 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.
Treacherous in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for treacherous?
The Irish for treacherous is fealltach (pronounced “FAL-tukh”). It comes after the noun: cara fealltach, a treacherous friend; bean fhealltach, a treacherous woman.
How do you say more treacherous and most treacherous in Irish?
níos fealltaí is more treacherous and is fealltaí is most treacherous. In the past tense they become ní b'fhealltaí and ab fhealltaí.
Why does fealltach become fhealltach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean fhealltach (a treacherous woman) but cara fealltach (a treacherous friend), because cara is masculine.
What is the plural of fealltach?
With a plural noun fealltach becomes fealltacha: cairde fealltacha, mná fealltacha.
How do you say very treacherous in Irish?
an-fhealltach. Too treacherous is rófhealltach, and as treacherous as is chomh fealltach le.
Does fealltach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fealltach can mean treacherous, deceitful or foul, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What noun is related to 'fealltach'?
The noun is 'feall' (treachery, betrayal), as in 'feall a dhéanamh ar dhuine', to betray someone. A traitor is 'fealltóir'.
