HeyRuaHow to say “wild” in Irish
- Irish:
- fiata
- English:
- wild, fierce, shy
- Word type:
- adjective
- Wilder:
- níos fiata
- Wildest:
- is fiata
- Pronunciation:
- “FEE-ta” /ˈfʲiət̪ˠə/
What does “fiata” mean?
“Fiata” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- wild
- Not tame or domesticated; living or growing in a natural state.Also: untamed, feral, savage.
“Fiata” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is fiata after ainmhí (animal, masculine), after cearc (hen, 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: cearc fhiata. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: ainmhí fiata.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, fiata. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: cearca fiata.
Wilder, wildest, very wild
Tá an cat seo níos fiata ná an ceann eile. This cat is wilder than the other one.
| wilder | níos fiata | in the past tense: ní b'fhiata |
|---|---|---|
| wildest | is fiata | in the past tense: ab fhiata |
| as wild as | chomh fiata le | no change after chomh |
| very wild | an-fhiata | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too wild | rófhiata | ró- lenites |
“Fiata” 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 fiata (pronounced “FEE-ta”). It comes after the noun: ainmhí fiata, a wild animal; cearc fhiata, a wild hen.
How do you say wilder and wildest in Irish?
níos fiata is wilder and is fiata is wildest. In the past tense they become ní b'fhiata and ab fhiata.
Why does fiata become fhiata?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So cearc fhiata (a wild hen) but ainmhí fiata (a wild animal), because ainmhí is masculine.
How do you say very wild in Irish?
an-fhiata. Too wild is rófhiata, and as wild as is chomh fiata le.
Does fiata have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fiata can mean wild, fierce or shy, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'fiata' and 'fiáin'?
Both mean wild; 'fiáin' is the more common general word, while 'fiata' is often used of animals and of a fierce, wild look, as in 'ainmhí fiata'.
