HeyRuaHow to say “fine” in Irish
- Irish:
- fíneálta
- English:
- fine, refined
- Word type:
- adjective
- Finer:
- níos fíneálta
- Finest:
- is fíneálta
- Pronunciation:
- “FEE-nawl-ta” /ˈfʲiːnˠaːl̪ˠt̪ˠə/
What does “fíneálta” mean?
“Fíneálta” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- fine
- Made of very small or thin parts, or of high, delicate quality.Also: delicate, refined, subtle.
“Fíneálta” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is fíneálta after síoda (silk, 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 fhíneálta. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: síoda fíneálta.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, fíneálta. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: mná fíneálta.
Finer, finest, very fine
Tá an lása seo níos fíneálta ná an ceann eile. This lace is finer than the other one.
| finer | níos fíneálta | in the past tense: ní b'fhíneálta |
|---|---|---|
| finest | is fíneálta | in the past tense: ab fhíneálta |
| as fine as | chomh fíneálta le | no change after chomh |
| very fine | an-fhíneálta | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too fine | rófhíneálta | ró- lenites |
“Fíneálta” 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.
Fine in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for fine?
The Irish for fine is fíneálta (pronounced “FEE-nawl-ta”). It comes after the noun: síoda fíneálta, a fine silk; bean fhíneálta, a fine woman.
How do you say finer and finest in Irish?
níos fíneálta is finer and is fíneálta is finest. In the past tense they become ní b'fhíneálta and ab fhíneálta.
Why does fíneálta become fhíneálta?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean fhíneálta (a fine woman) but síoda fíneálta (a fine silk), because síoda is masculine.
How do you say very fine in Irish?
an-fhíneálta. Too fine is rófhíneálta, and as fine as is chomh fíneálta le.
Does fíneálta have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fíneálta can mean fine or refined, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'fíneálta' and 'mín'?
'Fíneálta' stresses delicacy and fine quality, as in 'síoda fíneálta', while 'mín' means smooth or soft to the touch, as in 'craiceann mín'.
