HeyRuaHow to say “wild” in Irish
- Irish:
- fiánta
- English:
- wild, fierce
- Word type:
- adjective
- Wilder:
- níos fiánta
- Wildest:
- is fiánta
- Pronunciation:
- “FEE-an-ta” /ˈfʲiən̪ˠt̪ˠə/
What does “fiánta” mean?
“Fiánta” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- wild
- Living or growing in a natural state, not tamed or cultivated.Also: untamed, feral, savage.
“Fiánta” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is fiánta after ainmhí (animal, masculine), after áit (place, 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: áit fhiánta. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: ainmhí fiánta.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, fiánta. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: áiteanna fiánta.
Wilder, wildest, very wild
Tá an cat seo níos fiánta ná an ceann eile. This cat is wilder than the other one.
| wilder | níos fiánta | in the past tense: ní b'fhiánta |
|---|---|---|
| wildest | is fiánta | in the past tense: ab fhiánta |
| as wild as | chomh fiánta le | no change after chomh |
| very wild | an-fhiánta | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too wild | rófhiánta | ró- lenites |
“Fiánta” 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.
Wild in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for wild?
The Irish for wild is fiánta (pronounced “FEE-an-ta”). It comes after the noun: ainmhí fiánta, a wild animal; áit fhiánta, a wild place.
How do you say wilder and wildest in Irish?
níos fiánta is wilder and is fiánta is wildest. In the past tense they become ní b'fhiánta and ab fhiánta.
Why does fiánta become fhiánta?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So áit fhiánta (a wild place) but ainmhí fiánta (a wild animal), because ainmhí is masculine.
How do you say very wild in Irish?
an-fhiánta. Too wild is rófhiánta, and as wild as is chomh fiánta le.
Does fiánta have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fiánta can mean wild or fierce, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'fiánta' and 'fiáin'?
Both mean wild; 'fiáin' is the more common everyday word, while 'fiánta' is used especially of wild creatures and savage nature, as in 'ainmhí fiánta'.
