HeyRuaHow to say “weak” in Irish
- Irish:
- tláith
- English:
- weak, soft, pale
- Word type:
- adjective
- Weaker:
- níos tláithe
- Weakest:
- is tláithe
- Plural:
- tláithe
- Pronunciation:
- “tlaah” /t̪ˠl̪ˠaːh/
What does “tláith” mean?
“Tláith” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- weak
- Lacking strength, force or energy; feeble or faint.Also: feeble, faint, languid, listless.
“Tláith” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is tláith after solas (light, masculine), after gaoth (wind, 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: gaoth thláith. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: solas tláith.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, tláithe. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: gaotha tláithe.
Weaker, weakest, very weak
Tá an ghrian níos tláithe inniu ná inné. The sun is weaker today than yesterday.
| weaker | níos tláithe | in the past tense: ní ba thláithe |
|---|---|---|
| weakest | is tláithe | in the past tense: ba thláithe |
| as weak as | chomh tláith le | no change after chomh |
| very weak | an-tláith | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too weak | róthláith | ró- lenites |
“Tláith” 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.
Weak in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for weak?
The Irish for weak is tláith (pronounced “tlaah”). It comes after the noun: solas tláith, weak light; gaoth thláith, a weak wind.
How do you say weaker and weakest in Irish?
níos tláithe is weaker and is tláithe is weakest. In the past tense they become ní ba thláithe and ba thláithe.
Why does tláith become thláith?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So gaoth thláith (a weak wind) but solas tláith (weak light), because solas is masculine.
What is the plural of tláith?
With a plural noun tláith becomes tláithe: soilse tláithe, gaotha tláithe.
How do you say very weak in Irish?
an-tláith. Too weak is róthláith, and as weak as is chomh tláith le.
Does tláith have more than one meaning?
Yes. Tláith can mean weak, soft or pale, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How is 'tláith' different from 'lag'?
'Lag' is the everyday word for weak, while 'tláith' suggests a feeble, languid or soft weakness, often of light, voice or a person after illness.
