HeyRuaHow to say “feminine” in Irish
- Irish:
- banda
- English:
- feminine, female
- Word type:
- adjective
- More feminine:
- níos banda
- Most feminine:
- is banda
- Pronunciation:
- “BAN-da” /ˈbˠan̪ˠd̪ˠə/
What does “banda” mean?
“Banda” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- feminine
- Having qualities thought typical of a woman; womanly.Also: womanly, ladylike.
1 other meaning: female
- 2female
- Of or belonging to women or the female sex.Also: women's.
“Banda” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is banda after guth (voice, masculine), after áilleacht (beauty, 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: áilleacht bhanda. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: guth banda.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, banda. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: áilleachtaí banda.
More feminine, most feminine, very feminine
Tá an gúna seo níos banda ná an ceann eile. This dress is more feminine than the other one.
| more feminine | níos banda | in the past tense: ní ba bhanda |
|---|---|---|
| most feminine | is banda | in the past tense: ba bhanda |
| as feminine as | chomh banda le | no change after chomh |
| very feminine | an-bhanda | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too feminine | róbhanda | ró- lenites |
“Banda” 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.
Feminine in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for feminine?
The Irish for feminine is banda (pronounced “BAN-da”). It comes after the noun: guth banda, a feminine voice; áilleacht bhanda, a feminine beauty.
How do you say more feminine and most feminine in Irish?
níos banda is more feminine and is banda is most feminine. In the past tense they become ní ba bhanda and ba bhanda.
Why does banda become bhanda?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So áilleacht bhanda (a feminine beauty) but guth banda (a feminine voice), because guth is masculine.
How do you say very feminine in Irish?
an-bhanda. Too feminine is róbhanda, and as feminine as is chomh banda le.
Does banda have more than one meaning?
Yes. Banda can mean feminine or female, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'banda' and 'baineann'?
'Banda' means feminine or womanly in character, while 'baineann' is the usual word for female in grammar and biology, as in 'inscne bhaineann' (feminine gender).
