HeyRuaHow to say “wise” in Irish
- Irish:
- críonna
- English:
- wise, shrewd, old
- Word type:
- adjective
- Wiser:
- níos críonna
- Wisest:
- is críonna
- Pronunciation:
- “KREE-na” /ˈkɾʲiːn̪ˠə/
What does “críonna” mean?
“Críonna” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- wise
- Having good sense and judgement, often from age and experience.Also: prudent, sagacious, sensible.
“Críonna” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is críonna after seanfhear (old man, masculine), after comhairle (advice, 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: comhairle chríonna. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: seanfhear críonna.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, críonna. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: seanfhir chríonna; after other plurals it does not: comhairlí críonna.
Wiser, wisest, very wise
Tá sí níos críonna ná a deartháir. She is wiser than her brother.
| wiser | níos críonna | in the past tense: ní ba chríonna |
|---|---|---|
| wisest | is críonna | in the past tense: ba chríonna |
| as wise as | chomh críonna le | no change after chomh |
| very wise | an-chríonna | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too wise | róchríonna | ró- lenites |
“Críonna” 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 críonna (pronounced “KREE-na”). It comes after the noun: seanfhear críonna, a wise old man; comhairle chríonna, wise advice.
How do you say wiser and wisest in Irish?
níos críonna is wiser and is críonna is wisest. In the past tense they become ní ba chríonna and ba chríonna.
Why does críonna become chríonna?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So comhairle chríonna (wise advice) but seanfhear críonna (a wise old man), because seanfhear is masculine.
How do you say very wise in Irish?
an-chríonna. Too wise is róchríonna, and as wise as is chomh críonna le.
Does críonna have more than one meaning?
Yes. Críonna can mean wise, shrewd or old, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between críonna and glic?
Críonna means wise or prudent, usually in a positive sense, while glic means clever or cunning and can suggest slyness.
Can críonna describe a child?
Yes, páiste críonna is a child who is wise or old for his age.
