HeyRuaHow to say “fierce” in Irish
- Irish:
- fíochmhar
- English:
- fierce, intense
- Word type:
- adjective
- Fiercer:
- níos fíochmhaire
- Fiercest:
- is fíochmhaire
- Plural:
- fíochmhara
- Pronunciation:
- “FEE-ukh-wur” /ˈfʲiəxwəɾˠ/
What does “fíochmhar” mean?
“Fíochmhar” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- fierce
- Very violent, angry or intense, especially in fighting or attacking.Also: ferocious, furious, savage, violent.
1 other meaning: intense
- 2intense
- Very strong or heated, as in an argument, contest or storm.Also: heated, fierce, bitter.
“Fíochmhar” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is fíochmhar after madra (dog, masculine), after stoirm (storm, 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: stoirm fhíochmhar. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: madra fíochmhar.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, fíochmhara. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: stoirmeacha fíochmhara.
Fiercer, fiercest, very fierce
Bhí an dara cluiche níos fíochmhaire ná an chéad cheann. The second match was fiercer than the first one.
| fiercer | níos fíochmhaire | in the past tense: ní b'fhíochmhaire |
|---|---|---|
| fiercest | is fíochmhaire | in the past tense: ab fhíochmhaire |
| as fierce as | chomh fíochmhar le | no change after chomh |
| very fierce | an-fhíochmhar | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too fierce | rófhíochmhar | ró- lenites |
“Fíochmhar” 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.
Fierce in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for fierce?
The Irish for fierce is fíochmhar (pronounced “FEE-ukh-wur”). It comes after the noun: madra fíochmhar, a fierce dog; stoirm fhíochmhar, a fierce storm.
How do you say fiercer and fiercest in Irish?
níos fíochmhaire is fiercer and is fíochmhaire is fiercest. In the past tense they become ní b'fhíochmhaire and ab fhíochmhaire.
Why does fíochmhar become fhíochmhar?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So stoirm fhíochmhar (a fierce storm) but madra fíochmhar (a fierce dog), because madra is masculine.
What is the plural of fíochmhar?
With a plural noun fíochmhar becomes fíochmhara: madraí fíochmhara, stoirmeacha fíochmhara.
How do you say very fierce in Irish?
an-fhíochmhar. Too fierce is rófhíochmhar, and as fierce as is chomh fíochmhar le.
Does fíochmhar have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fíochmhar can mean fierce or intense, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'fíochmhar' and 'fiáin'?
'Fíochmhar' means fierce or ferocious, full of rage or violence, while 'fiáin' means wild or untamed. A 'madra fíochmhar' attacks; an 'ainmhí fiáin' simply lives in the wild.
What noun is 'fíochmhar' related to?
It comes from 'fíoch', meaning fury or feud, so 'fíochmhar' literally means full of fury.
