HeyRuaHow to say “bad” in Irish
- Irish:
- dona
- English:
- bad, unwell, unfortunate
- Word type:
- adjective
- Pronunciation:
- “DUN-uh” /ˈd̪ˠʊn̪ˠə/
What does “dona” mean?
“Dona” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- bad
- Of poor quality or condition, not good.Also: poor, awful, terrible.
2 other meanings: unwell or unfortunate
- 2unwell
- Feeling ill or in a poor state of health, often said as 'go dona'.Also: ill, poorly, sick.
- 3unfortunate
- Unlucky or wretched, having bad fortune.Also: unlucky, wretched, miserable.
Other Irish adjectives for bad: olc (bad)
“Dona” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is dona after lá (day, masculine), after aimsir (weather, 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: aimsir dhona. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: lá dona.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, dona. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: aimsirí dona.
“Dona” 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.
Bad in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for bad?
The Irish for bad is dona (pronounced “DUN-uh”). It comes after the noun: lá dona, a bad day; aimsir dhona, bad weather.
Why does dona become dhona?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So aimsir dhona (bad weather) but lá dona (a bad day), because lá is masculine.
How do you say very bad in Irish?
an-dona. Too bad is ródhona, and as bad as is chomh dona le.
Does dona have more than one meaning?
Yes. Dona can mean bad, unwell or unfortunate, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'dona' and 'olc'?
Both mean bad, but 'dona' is used especially for poor condition or health, as in 'Tá mé go dona', while 'olc' often suggests evil or anger, as in 'duine olc'. Both share the comparative 'níos measa'.
