HeyRuaHow to say “bold” in Irish
- Irish:
- dalba
- English:
- bold, naughty
- Word type:
- adjective
- Bolder:
- níos dalba
- Boldest:
- is dalba
- Pronunciation:
- “DAL-a-ba” /ˈd̪ˠalˠəbˠə/
What does “dalba” mean?
“Dalba” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- bold
- Behaving in a cheeky or forward way without proper respect or restraint.Also: impudent, brazen, forward, cheeky.
“Dalba” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is dalba after buachaill (boy, masculine), after girseach (girl, 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: girseach dhalba. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: buachaill dalba.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, dalba. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: girseacha dalba.
Bolder, boldest, very bold
Tá sé níos dalba ná a dheartháir. He is bolder than his brother.
| bolder | níos dalba | in the past tense: ní ba dhalba |
|---|---|---|
| boldest | is dalba | in the past tense: ba dhalba |
| as bold as | chomh dalba le | no change after chomh |
| very bold | an-dalba | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too bold | ródhalba | ró- lenites |
“Dalba” 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.
Bold in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for bold?
The Irish for bold is dalba (pronounced “DAL-a-ba”). It comes after the noun: buachaill dalba, a bold boy; girseach dhalba, a bold girl.
How do you say bolder and boldest in Irish?
níos dalba is bolder and is dalba is boldest. In the past tense they become ní ba dhalba and ba dhalba.
Why does dalba become dhalba?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach dhalba (a bold girl) but buachaill dalba (a bold boy), because buachaill is masculine.
How do you say very bold in Irish?
an-dalba. Too bold is ródhalba, and as bold as is chomh dalba le.
Does dalba have more than one meaning?
Yes. Dalba can mean bold or naughty, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'dalba' and 'dána'?
Both can describe a naughty child, but 'dána' also means daring or brave, while 'dalba' leans towards impudent or brazen behaviour.
