HeyRuaHow to say “certain” in Irish
- Irish:
- dearfa
- English:
- certain, proven
- Word type:
- adjective
- More certain:
- níos dearfa
- Most certain:
- is dearfa
- Pronunciation:
- “JAR-fa” /dʲaɾˠfˠə/
What does “dearfa” mean?
“Dearfa” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- certain
- Completely sure that something is true.Also: sure, positive, convinced.
“Dearfa” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is dearfa after fear (man, masculine), after tuairim (opinion, 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: tuairim dhearfa. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear dearfa.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, dearfa. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir dhearfa; after other plurals it does not: tuairimí dearfa.
More certain, most certain, very certain
Tá mise níos dearfa ná tusa faoi sin. I am more certain than you about that.
| more certain | níos dearfa | in the past tense: ní ba dhearfa |
|---|---|---|
| most certain | is dearfa | in the past tense: ba dhearfa |
| as certain as | chomh dearfa le | no change after chomh |
| very certain | an-dearfa | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too certain | ródhearfa | ró- lenites |
“Dearfa” 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.
Certain in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for certain?
The Irish for certain is dearfa (pronounced “JAR-fa”). It comes after the noun: fear dearfa, a certain man; tuairim dhearfa, a certain opinion.
How do you say more certain and most certain in Irish?
níos dearfa is more certain and is dearfa is most certain. In the past tense they become ní ba dhearfa and ba dhearfa.
Why does dearfa become dhearfa?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So tuairim dhearfa (a certain opinion) but fear dearfa (a certain man), because fear is masculine.
How do you say very certain in Irish?
an-dearfa. Too certain is ródhearfa, and as certain as is chomh dearfa le.
Does dearfa have more than one meaning?
Yes. Dearfa can mean certain or proven, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'dearfa' and 'dearfach'?
'Dearfa' means certain or sure, as in 'Tá mé dearfa de', while 'dearfach' means positive or affirmative, as in 'freagra dearfach'.
Which preposition goes with 'dearfa'?
Use 'de' for being sure of something, as in 'Tá mé dearfa de', or a clause with 'go', as in 'Tá mé dearfa go dtiocfaidh sé'.
