HeyRuaHow to say “decorative” in Irish
- Irish:
- maisiúil
- English:
- decorative, elegant, becoming
- Word type:
- adjective
- More decorative:
- níos maisiúla
- Most decorative:
- is maisiúla
- Plural:
- maisiúla
- Pronunciation:
- “MASH-ool” /ˈmaʃuːlʲ/
What does “maisiúil” mean?
“Maisiúil” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- decorative
- Used to decorate or make something look attractive.Also: ornamental, ornate.
2 other meanings: elegant or becoming
- 2elegant
- Attractive, smart and graceful in appearance.Also: handsome, smart, stylish.
- 3becoming
- Suiting someone well, making them look good.Also: comely, flattering.
“Maisiúil” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is maisiúil after gúna (dress, masculine), after cathaoir (chair, 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: cathaoir mhaisiúil. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: gúna maisiúil.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, maisiúla. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: cathaoireacha maisiúla.
More decorative, most decorative, very decorative
Tá an teach seo níos maisiúla ná an ceann eile. This house is more elegant than the other one.
| more decorative | níos maisiúla | in the past tense: ní ba mhaisiúla |
|---|---|---|
| most decorative | is maisiúla | in the past tense: ba mhaisiúla |
| as decorative as | chomh maisiúil le | no change after chomh |
| very decorative | an-mhaisiúil | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too decorative | rómhaisiúil | ró- lenites |
“Maisiúil” 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.
Decorative in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for decorative?
The Irish for decorative is maisiúil (pronounced “MASH-ool”). It comes after the noun: gúna maisiúil, a decorative dress; cathaoir mhaisiúil, a decorative chair.
How do you say more decorative and most decorative in Irish?
níos maisiúla is more decorative and is maisiúla is most decorative. In the past tense they become ní ba mhaisiúla and ba mhaisiúla.
Why does maisiúil become mhaisiúil?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So cathaoir mhaisiúil (a decorative chair) but gúna maisiúil (a decorative dress), because gúna is masculine.
What is the plural of maisiúil?
With a plural noun maisiúil becomes maisiúla: gúnaí maisiúla, cathaoireacha maisiúla.
How do you say very decorative in Irish?
an-mhaisiúil. Too decorative is rómhaisiúil, and as decorative as is chomh maisiúil le.
Does maisiúil have more than one meaning?
Yes. Maisiúil can mean decorative, elegant or becoming, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How is 'maisiúil' related to 'maisiú'?
'Maisiúil' comes from 'maisiú' (decoration) and the verb 'maisigh' (decorate), so 'obair mhaisiúil' is decorative work.
