HeyRuaHow to say “wavy” in Irish
- Irish:
- tonnach
- English:
- wavy, billowy
- Word type:
- adjective
- Wavier:
- níos tonnaí
- Waviest:
- is tonnaí
- Plural:
- tonnacha
- Pronunciation:
- “TUN-ukh” /ˈt̪ˠʊn̪ˠəx/
What does “tonnach” mean?
“Tonnach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- wavy
- Having waves or a wave-like shape, such as hair or a line.Also: undulating, rippling.
1 other meaning: billowy
- 2billowy
- Full of waves, as of a rough or choppy sea.Also: billowing, choppy, surging.
“Tonnach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is tonnach after folt (hair, masculine), after farraige (sea, 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: farraige thonnach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: folt tonnach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, tonnacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: foilt thonnacha; after other plurals it does not: farraigí tonnacha.
Wavier, waviest, very wavy
Tá a cuid gruaige níos tonnaí ná mo chuidse. Her hair is wavier than mine.
| wavier | níos tonnaí | in the past tense: ní ba thonnaí |
|---|---|---|
| waviest | is tonnaí | in the past tense: ba thonnaí |
| as wavy as | chomh tonnach le | no change after chomh |
| very wavy | an-tonnach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too wavy | róthonnach | ró- lenites |
“Tonnach” 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.
Wavy in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for wavy?
The Irish for wavy is tonnach (pronounced “TUN-ukh”). It comes after the noun: folt tonnach, wavy hair; farraige thonnach, a wavy sea.
How do you say wavier and waviest in Irish?
níos tonnaí is wavier and is tonnaí is waviest. In the past tense they become ní ba thonnaí and ba thonnaí.
Why does tonnach become thonnach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So farraige thonnach (a wavy sea) but folt tonnach (wavy hair), because folt is masculine.
What is the plural of tonnach?
With a plural noun tonnach becomes tonnacha: foilt thonnacha, farraigí tonnacha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very wavy in Irish?
an-tonnach. Too wavy is róthonnach, and as wavy as is chomh tonnach le.
Does tonnach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Tonnach can mean wavy or billowy, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'tonnach' and 'catach'?
'Tonnach' means wavy, with gentle waves, while 'catach' means curly, with tight curls: 'gruaig thonnach' is wavy hair, 'gruaig chatach' is curly hair.
