HeyRuaHow to say “usual” in Irish
- Irish:
- gnách
- English:
- usual, ordinary
- Word type:
- adjective
- More usual:
- níos gnáiche
- Most usual:
- is gnáiche
- Plural:
- gnácha
- Pronunciation:
- “g-nawkh” /ɡn̪ˠaːx/
What does “gnách” mean?
“Gnách” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- usual
- Happening or done in the normal or expected way, most of the time.Also: customary, habitual, normal.
“Gnách” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is gnách after nós (custom, 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 ghnách. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: nós gnách.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, gnácha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: mná gnácha.
More usual, most usual, very usual
Tá sé níos fuaire ná mar is gnách inniu. It's colder than usual today.
| more usual | níos gnáiche | in the past tense: ní ba ghnáiche |
|---|---|---|
| most usual | is gnáiche | in the past tense: ba ghnáiche |
| as usual as | chomh gnách le | no change after chomh |
| very usual | an-ghnách | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too usual | róghnách | ró- lenites |
“Gnách” 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.
Usual in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for usual?
The Irish for usual is gnách (pronounced “g-nawkh”). It comes after the noun: nós gnách, a usual custom; bean ghnách, a usual woman.
How do you say more usual and most usual in Irish?
níos gnáiche is more usual and is gnáiche is most usual. In the past tense they become ní ba ghnáiche and ba ghnáiche.
Why does gnách become ghnách?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean ghnách (a usual woman) but nós gnách (a usual custom), because nós is masculine.
What is the plural of gnách?
With a plural noun gnách becomes gnácha: nósanna gnácha, mná gnácha.
How do you say very usual in Irish?
an-ghnách. Too usual is róghnách, and as usual as is chomh gnách le.
Does gnách have more than one meaning?
Yes. Gnách can mean usual or ordinary, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say 'I usually' with gnách?
Use 'is gnách le' with the person: 'Is gnách liom siúl abhaile' means I usually walk home. For the past habit, say 'Ba ghnách liom'.
What is the difference between gnách and gnáth?
'Gnách' is a normal adjective used after the noun or with 'is', while 'gnáth' is a prefix placed before the noun, as in 'gnáthdhuine', an ordinary person.
