HeyRuaHow to say “capable” in Irish
- Irish:
- cumasach
- English:
- capable, powerful
- Word type:
- adjective
- More capable:
- níos cumasaí
- Most capable:
- is cumasaí
- Plural:
- cumasacha
- Pronunciation:
- “KUM-a-sukh” /ˈkʊmˠəsˠəx/
What does “cumasach” mean?
“Cumasach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- capable
- Having the ability or skill to do things well.Also: able, competent, skilled, talented.
“Cumasach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is cumasach after múinteoir (teacher, 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 chumasach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: múinteoir cumasach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, cumasacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: mná cumasacha.
More capable, most capable, very capable
Tá sí níos cumasaí ná a deartháir. She is more capable than her brother.
| more capable | níos cumasaí | in the past tense: ní ba chumasaí |
|---|---|---|
| most capable | is cumasaí | in the past tense: ba chumasaí |
| as capable as | chomh cumasach le | no change after chomh |
| very capable | an-chumasach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too capable | róchumasach | ró- lenites |
“Cumasach” 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.
Capable in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for capable?
The Irish for capable is cumasach (pronounced “KUM-a-sukh”). It comes after the noun: múinteoir cumasach, a capable teacher; bean chumasach, a capable woman.
How do you say more capable and most capable in Irish?
níos cumasaí is more capable and is cumasaí is most capable. In the past tense they become ní ba chumasaí and ba chumasaí.
Why does cumasach become chumasach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean chumasach (a capable woman) but múinteoir cumasach (a capable teacher), because múinteoir is masculine.
What is the plural of cumasach?
With a plural noun cumasach becomes cumasacha: múinteoirí cumasacha, mná cumasacha.
How do you say very capable in Irish?
an-chumasach. Too capable is róchumasach, and as capable as is chomh cumasach le.
Does cumasach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cumasach can mean capable or powerful, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between cumasach and cumhachtach?
Cumasach usually means capable or able, describing skill, while cumhachtach means powerful in the sense of authority or force, as in rialtas cumhachtach.
What is the opposite of cumasach?
The opposite is éagumasach, meaning incapable or unable.
