HeyRuaHow to say “cosy” in Irish
- Irish:
- teolaí
- English:
- cosy, comfortably off
- Word type:
- adjective
- Cosier:
- níos teolaí
- Cosiest:
- is teolaí
- Pronunciation:
- “TYOH-lee” /tʲoːl̪ˠiː/
What does “teolaí” mean?
“Teolaí” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- cosy
- Warm, snug and comfortable, especially of a place or bed.Also: snug, comfortable, warm.
1 other meaning: comfortably off
- 2comfortably off
- Living in comfort, well provided for.Also: well-off, comfortable.
Other Irish adjectives for cosy: compordach (comfortable), sócúlach (comfortable), seascair (snug)
“Teolaí” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is teolaí after seomra (room, masculine), after leaba (bed, 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: leaba theolaí. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: seomra teolaí.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, teolaí. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: leapacha teolaí.
Cosier, cosiest, very cosy
Tá an chistin níos teolaí ná an halla. The kitchen is cosier than the hall.
| cosier | níos teolaí | in the past tense: ní ba theolaí |
|---|---|---|
| cosiest | is teolaí | in the past tense: ba theolaí |
| as cosy as | chomh teolaí le | no change after chomh |
| very cosy | an-teolaí | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too cosy | rótheolaí | ró- lenites |
“Teolaí” 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.
Cosy in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for cosy?
The Irish for cosy is teolaí (pronounced “TYOH-lee”). It comes after the noun: seomra teolaí, a cosy room; leaba theolaí, a cosy bed.
How do you say cosier and cosiest in Irish?
níos teolaí is cosier and is teolaí is cosiest. In the past tense they become ní ba theolaí and ba theolaí.
Why does teolaí become theolaí?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So leaba theolaí (a cosy bed) but seomra teolaí (a cosy room), because seomra is masculine.
How do you say very cosy in Irish?
an-teolaí. Too cosy is rótheolaí, and as cosy as is chomh teolaí le.
Does teolaí have more than one meaning?
Yes. Teolaí can mean cosy or comfortably off, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between teolaí and seascair?
Both mean cosy or snug; teolaí stresses warmth, as in seomra teolaí, while seascair suggests sheltered comfort, as in áit sheascair.
