HeyRuaHow to say “clear” in Irish
- Irish:
- soiléir
- English:
- clear, obvious, bright
- Word type:
- adjective
- More clear:
- níos soiléire
- Most clear:
- is soiléire
- Plural:
- soiléire
- Pronunciation:
- “SIL-air” /ˈsˠɪlʲeːɾʲ/
What does “soiléir” mean?
“Soiléir” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- clear
- Easy to see, hear or understand.Also: distinct, plain, lucid.
“Soiléir” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is soiléir after guth (voice, masculine), after aimsir (weather, 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: aimsir shoiléir. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: guth soiléir.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, soiléire. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: aimsirí soiléire.
More clear, most clear, very clear
Tá an cheist i bhfad níos soiléire anois. The question is much clearer now.
| more clear | níos soiléire | in the past tense: ní ba shoiléire |
|---|---|---|
| most clear | is soiléire | in the past tense: ba shoiléire |
| as clear as | chomh soiléir le | no change after chomh |
| very clear | an-soiléir | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too clear | róshoiléir | ró- lenites |
“Soiléir” 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.
Clear in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for clear?
The Irish for clear is soiléir (pronounced “SIL-air”). It comes after the noun: guth soiléir, a clear voice; aimsir shoiléir, clear weather.
How do you say more clear and most clear in Irish?
níos soiléire is more clear and is soiléire is most clear. In the past tense they become ní ba shoiléire and ba shoiléire.
Why does soiléir become shoiléir?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So aimsir shoiléir (clear weather) but guth soiléir (a clear voice), because guth is masculine.
What is the plural of soiléir?
With a plural noun soiléir becomes soiléire: guthanna soiléire, aimsirí soiléire.
How do you say very clear in Irish?
an-soiléir. Too clear is róshoiléir, and as clear as is chomh soiléir le.
Does soiléir have more than one meaning?
Yes. Soiléir can mean clear, obvious or bright, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between soiléir and léir?
Both mean clear or evident, but léir is often used predicatively with is, as in Is léir go bhfuil sé tinn, while soiléir is used freely before or after nouns, as in freagra soiléir.
What is the opposite of soiléir?
The opposite is doiléir, meaning unclear, vague or dim, as in pictiúr doiléir.
