HeyRuaHow to say “brave” in Irish
- Irish:
- calma
- English:
- brave, strong, fine
- Word type:
- adjective
- Braver:
- níos calma
- Bravest:
- is calma
- Pronunciation:
- “KAL-a-ma” /ˈkal̪ˠəmˠə/
What does “calma” mean?
“Calma” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- brave
- Showing courage and not afraid of danger or hardship.Also: courageous, valiant, plucky, bold.
“Calma” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is calma after fear (man, masculine), after bean (woman, 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: bean chalma. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear calma.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, calma. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir chalma; after other plurals it does not: mná calma.
Braver, bravest, very brave
Tá sí níos calma ná a deartháir. She is braver than her brother.
| braver | níos calma | in the past tense: ní ba chalma |
|---|---|---|
| bravest | is calma | in the past tense: ba chalma |
| as brave as | chomh calma le | no change after chomh |
| very brave | an-chalma | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too brave | róchalma | ró- lenites |
“Calma” 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.
Brave in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for brave?
The Irish for brave is calma (pronounced “KAL-a-ma”). It comes after the noun: fear calma, a brave man; bean chalma, a brave woman.
How do you say braver and bravest in Irish?
níos calma is braver and is calma is bravest. In the past tense they become ní ba chalma and ba chalma.
Why does calma become chalma?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean chalma (a brave woman) but fear calma (a brave man), because fear is masculine.
How do you say very brave in Irish?
an-chalma. Too brave is róchalma, and as brave as is chomh calma le.
Does calma have more than one meaning?
Yes. Calma can mean brave, strong or fine, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'calma' and 'cróga'?
Both mean brave; 'cróga' focuses on courage, while 'calma' can also suggest physical strength and sturdiness, as in 'fear calma'.
How do I say 'bravely' with 'calma'?
Use 'go calma', for example 'Throid sé go calma', he fought bravely.
