HeyRuaHow to say “blue” in Irish
- Irish:
- gorm
- English:
- blue, black
- Word type:
- adjective
- Bluer:
- níos goirme
- Bluest:
- is goirme
- Plural:
- gorma
- Pronunciation:
- “GUR-um” /ɡɔɾˠəmˠ/
What does “gorm” mean?
“Gorm” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- blue
- Having the colour of the clear sky or the sea.Also: azure, navy.
1 other meaning: black
- 2black
- Used of people with dark skin, as in 'duine gorm', a black person.Also: dark-skinned.
“Gorm” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is gorm after carr (car, masculine), after spéir (sky, 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: spéir ghorm. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: carr gorm.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, gorma. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: spéartha gorma.
Bluer, bluest, very blue
Tá an fharraige níos goirme ná an spéir. The sea is bluer than the sky.
| bluer | níos goirme | in the past tense: ní ba ghoirme |
|---|---|---|
| bluest | is goirme | in the past tense: ba ghoirme |
| as blue as | chomh gorm le | no change after chomh |
| very blue | an-ghorm | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too blue | róghorm | ró- lenites |
“Gorm” 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.
Blue in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for blue?
The Irish for blue is gorm (pronounced “GUR-um”). It comes after the noun: carr gorm, a blue car; spéir ghorm, a blue sky.
How do you say bluer and bluest in Irish?
níos goirme is bluer and is goirme is bluest. In the past tense they become ní ba ghoirme and ba ghoirme.
Why does gorm become ghorm?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So spéir ghorm (a blue sky) but carr gorm (a blue car), because carr is masculine.
What is the plural of gorm?
With a plural noun gorm becomes gorma: carranna gorma, spéartha gorma.
How do you say very blue in Irish?
an-ghorm. Too blue is róghorm, and as blue as is chomh gorm le.
Does gorm have more than one meaning?
Yes. Gorm can mean blue or black, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Does 'gorm' mean black when describing people?
Yes, 'duine gorm' means a black person, while 'dubh' is the colour black for things, as in 'cóta dubh'.
What is the difference between 'gorm' and 'glas'?
'Gorm' is blue, while 'glas' is green (of nature) or grey, as in 'féar glas'.
