HeyRuaHow to say “unwilling” in Irish
- Irish:
- neamhthoilteanach
- English:
- unwilling, involuntary
- Word type:
- adjective
- More unwilling:
- níos neamhthoilteanaí
- Most unwilling:
- is neamhthoilteanaí
- Plural:
- neamhthoilteanacha
- Pronunciation:
- “NYAV-hil-chan-akh” /ˈnʲaw ˌhɪlʲtʲənəx/
What does “neamhthoilteanach” mean?
“Neamhthoilteanach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- unwilling
- Not willing or ready to do something.Also: reluctant, loath, grudging.
1 other meaning: involuntary
- 2involuntary
- Done without choosing or intending to do it.Also: unintentional, unwilled.
Other Irish adjectives for unwilling: drogallach (reluctant)
“Neamhthoilteanach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is neamhthoilteanach after fear (man, masculine), after bean (woman, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, neamhthoilteanacha.
More unwilling, most unwilling, very unwilling
Tá sé níos neamhthoilteanaí ná a dheartháir. He is more reluctant than his brother.
| more unwilling | níos neamhthoilteanaí | in the past tense: ní ba neamhthoilteanaí |
|---|---|---|
| most unwilling | is neamhthoilteanaí | in the past tense: ba neamhthoilteanaí |
| as unwilling as | chomh neamhthoilteanach le | no change after chomh |
| very unwilling | an-neamhthoilteanach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too unwilling | róneamhthoilteanach | ró- lenites |
“Neamhthoilteanach” 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.
Unwilling in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for unwilling?
The Irish for unwilling is neamhthoilteanach (pronounced “NYAV-hil-chan-akh”). It comes after the noun: fear neamhthoilteanach, an unwilling man; bean neamhthoilteanach, an unwilling woman.
How do you say more unwilling and most unwilling in Irish?
níos neamhthoilteanaí is more unwilling and is neamhthoilteanaí is most unwilling. In the past tense they become ní ba neamhthoilteanaí and ba neamhthoilteanaí.
What is the plural of neamhthoilteanach?
With a plural noun neamhthoilteanach becomes neamhthoilteanacha: fir neamhthoilteanacha, mná neamhthoilteanacha.
How do you say very unwilling in Irish?
an-neamhthoilteanach. Too unwilling is róneamhthoilteanach, and as unwilling as is chomh neamhthoilteanach le.
Does neamhthoilteanach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Neamhthoilteanach can mean unwilling or involuntary, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the opposite of 'neamhthoilteanach'?
The opposite is 'toilteanach', meaning willing. A common everyday alternative for reluctant is 'drogallach', as in 'Bhí drogall orm' (I was reluctant).
