HeyRuaHow to say “wise” in Irish
- Irish:
- eagnaí
- English:
- wise, clever
- Word type:
- adjective
- Wiser:
- níos eagnaí
- Wisest:
- is eagnaí
- Pronunciation:
- “AG-nee” /ˈaɡn̪ˠiː/
What does “eagnaí” mean?
“Eagnaí” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- wise
- Having or showing wisdom and good understanding.Also: sage, learned, intelligent, sagacious.
“Eagnaí” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is eagnaí after fear (man, masculine), after bean (woman, feminine) and after a plural.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, eagnaí.
Wiser, wisest, very wise
Tá sí níos eagnaí ná a deartháir. She is wiser than her brother.
| wiser | níos eagnaí | in the past tense: ní b'eagnaí |
|---|---|---|
| wisest | is eagnaí | in the past tense: ab eagnaí |
| as wise as | chomh heagnaí le | chomh puts an h before a vowel |
| very wise | an-eagnaí | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too wise | ró-eagnaí | ró- lenites |
“Eagnaí” 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.
Wise in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for wise?
The Irish for wise is eagnaí (pronounced “AG-nee”). It comes after the noun: fear eagnaí, a wise man; bean eagnaí, a wise woman.
How do you say wiser and wisest in Irish?
níos eagnaí is wiser and is eagnaí is wisest. In the past tense they become ní b'eagnaí and ab eagnaí.
How do you say very wise in Irish?
an-eagnaí. Too wise is ró-eagnaí, and as wise as is chomh heagnaí le.
Does eagnaí have more than one meaning?
Yes. Eagnaí can mean wise or clever, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between eagnaí and críonna?
Eagnaí means wise or learned and is rather literary, while críonna is the everyday word for wise or prudent, often with a sense of age and experience.
