Ugliness in Irish (Gránnacht): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for ugliness?

The Irish for ugliness is gránnacht (pronounced “GRAWN-ukht”). It’s a feminine noun. Depending on context it can also mean nastiness.

Q: Does gránnacht have more than one meaning?

Yes. Gránnacht can mean ugliness or nastiness, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “ugliness” in Irish

Irish:: gránnacht
English:: ugliness, nastiness
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, third declension
Pronunciation:: “GRAWN-ukht” /ˈɡɾˠaːn̪ˠəxt̪ˠ/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: gránnachta, na gránnachta (e.g. déistin na gránnachta, the repulsiveness of the ugliness)

What does “gránnacht” mean?

“Gránnacht” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

ugliness: The quality of being ugly or unpleasant to look at.Also: unsightliness, plainness.

1 other meaning: nastiness

2nastiness: Unpleasant, mean or nasty behaviour or character.Also: unpleasantness, meanness, spite.

“Gránnacht” with the article

Here is gránnacht after the article (an t-alt).

an ghránnacht

the ugliness

Lenition: g becomes gh after an (feminine noun)

“Gránnacht” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using gránnacht, the Irish word for ugliness.

Ní fhaca mé a leithéid de ghránnacht riamh.

I never saw such ugliness.

Chuir gránnacht an fhoirgnimh isteach orm.

The ugliness of the building bothered me.

Bhí gránnacht ina chuid cainte.

There was nastiness in his talk.

Níor thuig sé an ghránnacht a bhí ann.

He didn't understand the nastiness involved.

Níl aon ghá leis an ngránnacht sin.

There's no need for that nastiness.

Labhair sí faoi ghránnacht an chogaidh.

She spoke about the ugliness of war.

Ní raibh rian den ghránnacht ina croí.

There wasn't a trace of nastiness in her heart.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Ugliness in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for ugliness?

The Irish for ugliness is gránnacht (pronounced “GRAWN-ukht”). It’s a feminine noun. Depending on context it can also mean nastiness.

How do you pronounce gránnacht in Irish?

Gránnacht is said like “GRAWN-ukht” (IPA /ˈɡɾˠaːn̪ˠəxt̪ˠ/).

Does gránnacht have a plural?

No plural form is given for gránnacht in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.

Does gránnacht have more than one meaning?

Yes. Gránnacht can mean ugliness or nastiness, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does gránnacht change to ghránnacht or ngránnacht?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) gránnacht becomes mo ghránnacht (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ngránnacht (eclipsis).

What is the opposite of 'gránnacht'?

The opposite is 'áilleacht' (beauty), from 'álainn', just as 'gránnacht' comes from the adjective 'gránna' (ugly, nasty).

Ugliness in Irish (Gránnacht): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage