HeyRuaHow to say “eager” in Irish
- Irish:
- fonnmhar
- English:
- eager, willing
- Word type:
- adjective
- More eager:
- níos fonnmhaire
- Most eager:
- is fonnmhaire
- Plural:
- fonnmhara
- Pronunciation:
- “FUN-a-wur” /ˈfˠɔn̪ˠəvˠəɾˠ/
What does “fonnmhar” mean?
“Fonnmhar” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- eager
- Keen and wanting very much to do something.Also: keen, enthusiastic, desirous.
1 other meaning: willing
- 2willing
- Ready and happy to do what is asked.Also: ready, inclined, glad.
Other Irish adjectives for eager: scafa (eager)
“Fonnmhar” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is fonnmhar after dalta (pupil, masculine), after bean (woman, 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: bean fhonnmhar. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: dalta fonnmhar.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, fonnmhara. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: mná fonnmhara.
More eager, most eager, very eager
Tá sí níos fonnmhaire ná a deartháir. She is keener than her brother.
| more eager | níos fonnmhaire | in the past tense: ní b'fhonnmhaire |
|---|---|---|
| most eager | is fonnmhaire | in the past tense: ab fhonnmhaire |
| as eager as | chomh fonnmhar le | no change after chomh |
| very eager | an-fhonnmhar | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too eager | rófhonnmhar | ró- lenites |
“Fonnmhar” 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.
Eager in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for eager?
The Irish for eager is fonnmhar (pronounced “FUN-a-wur”). It comes after the noun: dalta fonnmhar, an eager pupil; bean fhonnmhar, an eager woman.
How do you say more eager and most eager in Irish?
níos fonnmhaire is more eager and is fonnmhaire is most eager. In the past tense they become ní b'fhonnmhaire and ab fhonnmhaire.
Why does fonnmhar become fhonnmhar?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean fhonnmhar (an eager woman) but dalta fonnmhar (an eager pupil), because dalta is masculine.
What is the plural of fonnmhar?
With a plural noun fonnmhar becomes fonnmhara: daltaí fonnmhara, mná fonnmhara.
How do you say very eager in Irish?
an-fhonnmhar. Too eager is rófhonnmhar, and as eager as is chomh fonnmhar le.
Does fonnmhar have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fonnmhar can mean eager or willing, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say I am eager to do something with fonnmhar?
Use a verbal noun after it, as in 'Tá mé fonnmhar dul ann' (I am eager to go there), or use 'chun' with a noun, as in 'fonnmhar chun oibre'.
Is fonnmhar related to fonn?
Yes, it comes from 'fonn', meaning desire or inclination, as in 'tá fonn orm' (I feel like it).
