HeyRuaHow to say “diligent” in Irish
- Irish:
- díograiseach
- English:
- diligent, zealous
- Word type:
- adjective
- More diligent:
- níos díograisí
- Most diligent:
- is díograisí
- Plural:
- díograiseacha
- Pronunciation:
- “DEE-gra-shukh” /ˈdʲiːɡɾˠəʃəx/
What does “díograiseach” mean?
“Díograiseach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- diligent
- Working hard and carefully at something.Also: hard-working, industrious, assiduous.
1 other meaning: zealous
- 2zealous
- Full of enthusiasm and devotion for a cause or task.Also: devoted, ardent, enthusiastic, fervent.
Other Irish adjectives for diligent: dícheallach (diligent), dlúsúil (diligent)
“Díograiseach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is díograiseach after oibrí (worker, masculine), after banaltra (nurse, 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: banaltra dhíograiseach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: oibrí díograiseach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, díograiseacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: banaltraí díograiseacha.
More diligent, most diligent, very diligent
Tá sí níos díograisí ná a deartháir. She is more diligent than her brother.
| more diligent | níos díograisí | in the past tense: ní ba dhíograisí |
|---|---|---|
| most diligent | is díograisí | in the past tense: ba dhíograisí |
| as diligent as | chomh díograiseach le | no change after chomh |
| very diligent | an-díograiseach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too diligent | ródhíograiseach | ró- lenites |
“Díograiseach” 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.
Diligent in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for diligent?
The Irish for diligent is díograiseach (pronounced “DEE-gra-shukh”). It comes after the noun: oibrí díograiseach, a diligent worker; banaltra dhíograiseach, a diligent nurse.
How do you say more diligent and most diligent in Irish?
níos díograisí is more diligent and is díograisí is most diligent. In the past tense they become ní ba dhíograisí and ba dhíograisí.
Why does díograiseach become dhíograiseach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So banaltra dhíograiseach (a diligent nurse) but oibrí díograiseach (a diligent worker), because oibrí is masculine.
What is the plural of díograiseach?
With a plural noun díograiseach becomes díograiseacha: oibrithe díograiseacha, banaltraí díograiseacha.
How do you say very diligent in Irish?
an-díograiseach. Too diligent is ródhíograiseach, and as diligent as is chomh díograiseach le.
Does díograiseach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Díograiseach can mean diligent or zealous, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'díograiseach' and 'dícheallach'?
'Dícheallach' stresses doing your very best, while 'díograiseach' adds a sense of zeal and devotion. Both can describe a hard-working student.
