HeyRuaHow to say “unclean” in Irish
- Irish:
- neamhghlan
- English:
- unclean, impure
- Word type:
- adjective
- More unclean:
- níos neamhghlaine
- Most unclean:
- is neamhghlaine
- Plural:
- neamhghlana
- Pronunciation:
- “nyav-GHLAN” /ˌnʲaʊˈɣl̪ˠɑːn̪ˠ/
What does “neamhghlan” mean?
“Neamhghlan” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- unclean
- Not clean; dirty or soiled.Also: dirty, soiled, filthy.
1 other meaning: impure
- 2impure
- Morally or ritually impure, not pure.Also: unchaste, defiled.
“Neamhghlan” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is neamhghlan after uisce (water, masculine), after lámh (hand, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, neamhghlana.
More unclean, most unclean, very unclean
Tá an abhainn níos neamhghlaine ná riamh. The river is dirtier than ever.
| more unclean | níos neamhghlaine | in the past tense: ní ba neamhghlaine |
|---|---|---|
| most unclean | is neamhghlaine | in the past tense: ba neamhghlaine |
| as unclean as | chomh neamhghlan le | no change after chomh |
| very unclean | an-neamhghlan | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too unclean | róneamhghlan | ró- lenites |
“Neamhghlan” 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.
Unclean in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for unclean?
The Irish for unclean is neamhghlan (pronounced “nyav-GHLAN”). It comes after the noun: uisce neamhghlan, unclean water; lámh neamhghlan, an unclean hand.
How do you say more unclean and most unclean in Irish?
níos neamhghlaine is more unclean and is neamhghlaine is most unclean. In the past tense they become ní ba neamhghlaine and ba neamhghlaine.
What is the plural of neamhghlan?
With a plural noun neamhghlan becomes neamhghlana: uiscí neamhghlana, lámha neamhghlana.
How do you say very unclean in Irish?
an-neamhghlan. Too unclean is róneamhghlan, and as unclean as is chomh neamhghlan le.
Does neamhghlan have more than one meaning?
Yes. Neamhghlan can mean unclean or impure, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Is 'neamhghlan' the usual word for 'dirty'?
In everyday speech 'salach' is far more common for dirty; 'neamhghlan' is more formal and is often used for impure or unclean in a moral or religious sense, as in 'spiorad neamhghlan'.
