HeyRuaHow to say “earnest” in Irish
- Irish:
- dúthrachtach
- English:
- earnest, diligent, devoted
- Word type:
- adjective
- More earnest:
- níos dúthrachtaí
- Most earnest:
- is dúthrachtaí
- Plural:
- dúthrachtacha
- Pronunciation:
- “DOO-hrukh-tukh” /ˈd̪ˠuːhɾˠəxt̪ˠəx/
What does “dúthrachtach” mean?
“Dúthrachtach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- earnest
- Putting real heart and effort into something; zealous and fervent.Also: zealous, fervent, dedicated, wholehearted.
2 other meanings: diligent or devoted
- 2diligent
- Working hard and carefully at a task.Also: assiduous, hard-working, industrious.
- 3devoted
- Deeply loyal or devout, often towards a person or a faith (with do).Also: devout, loyal, committed.
“Dúthrachtach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is dúthrachtach after múinteoir (teacher, masculine), after girseach (girl, 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: girseach dhúthrachtach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: múinteoir dúthrachtach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, dúthrachtacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: girseacha dúthrachtacha.
More earnest, most earnest, very earnest
Tá Máire níos dúthrachtaí ná a deartháir. Máire is more diligent than her brother.
| more earnest | níos dúthrachtaí | in the past tense: ní ba dhúthrachtaí |
|---|---|---|
| most earnest | is dúthrachtaí | in the past tense: ba dhúthrachtaí |
| as earnest as | chomh dúthrachtach le | no change after chomh |
| very earnest | an-dúthrachtach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too earnest | ródhúthrachtach | ró- lenites |
“Dúthrachtach” 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.
Earnest in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for earnest?
The Irish for earnest is dúthrachtach (pronounced “DOO-hrukh-tukh”). It comes after the noun: múinteoir dúthrachtach, an earnest teacher; girseach dhúthrachtach, an earnest girl.
How do you say more earnest and most earnest in Irish?
níos dúthrachtaí is more earnest and is dúthrachtaí is most earnest. In the past tense they become ní ba dhúthrachtaí and ba dhúthrachtaí.
Why does dúthrachtach become dhúthrachtach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach dhúthrachtach (an earnest girl) but múinteoir dúthrachtach (an earnest teacher), because múinteoir is masculine.
What is the plural of dúthrachtach?
With a plural noun dúthrachtach becomes dúthrachtacha: múinteoirí dúthrachtacha, girseacha dúthrachtacha.
How do you say very earnest in Irish?
an-dúthrachtach. Too earnest is ródhúthrachtach, and as earnest as is chomh dúthrachtach le.
Does dúthrachtach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Dúthrachtach can mean earnest, diligent or devoted, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between dúthrachtach and díograiseach?
Both mean keen and dedicated; díograiseach stresses enthusiasm or zeal, while dúthrachtach stresses earnest, wholehearted effort or devotion.
What noun is related to dúthrachtach?
The noun is dúthracht, meaning earnestness or devotion, as in le dúthracht, meaning earnestly.
