go hiontach
The Irish word for awesome is go hiontach.
go hiontach is an adjective used to describe something that is excellent or exciting.
Meaning: excellent, exciting (adj)
Did you know?
- The particle go in this phrase is a cognate of the German prefix ge- and the Spanish word con, both of which express a sense of being 'with' or 'together'.
- Using go hiontach to describe a person can sound like a line from a classic novel or a formal speech rather than a casual compliment.
- The letter 'h' in hiontach is not pronounced as a hard 'h' sound, but instead signals a softening of the following consonant, which is a hallmark of the Irish language.
Examples in context
- Bhí an ceol go hiontach!The music was fantastic!
- Bhí an scéala seo go hiontach ar fad!This news was absolutely awesome!
- Bhí an damhsa sár-mhaith!The dance was awesome!
- Tá sé go hiontach!It is awesome!
- Go hiontach an lá é.It is an awesome day.
Example conversation
Cathal and Niamh are discussing a new movie.
- CathalAn raibh an scannán sin go hiontach?Was that movie awesome?
- NiamhBa é go hiontach, go a Thadhg!It was awesome, Cathal!
- CathalAn raibh an ceol go hiontach freisin?Was the music awesome too?
- NiamhBa é go hiontach iad go léir.They were all awesome.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries go, CC BY-SA 4.0.
