HeyRuaHow to say “firm” in Irish
- Irish:
- diongbháilte
- English:
- firm, secure, self-assured, fitting
- Word type:
- adjective
- Firmer:
- níos diongbháilte
- Firmest:
- is diongbháilte
- Pronunciation:
- “DING-vawl-cha” /ˈdʲɪŋɡvˠaːlʲtʲə/
What does “diongbháilte” mean?
“Diongbháilte” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- firm
- Steady and determined, not easily moved or changed.Also: steadfast, resolute, determined, unwavering.
3 other meanings: secure or self-assured or fitting
- 2secure
- Fixed solidly in place and stable.Also: solid, fixed, stable, well-set.
- 3self-assured
- Confident in oneself, sometimes too confident.Also: confident, assertive, cocky.
- 4fitting
- Suitable or worthy of someone or something.Also: worthy, proper.
Other Irish adjectives for firm: crua (hard), daingean (firm), docht (tight), soladach (solid)
“Diongbháilte” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is diongbháilte after fear (man, 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 dhiongbháilte. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear diongbháilte.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, diongbháilte. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir dhiongbháilte; after other plurals it does not: girseacha diongbháilte.
Firmer, firmest, very firm
Tá sí níos diongbháilte ná riamh anois. She is more determined than ever now.
| firmer | níos diongbháilte | in the past tense: ní ba dhiongbháilte |
|---|---|---|
| firmest | is diongbháilte | in the past tense: ba dhiongbháilte |
| as firm as | chomh diongbháilte le | no change after chomh |
| very firm | an-diongbháilte | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too firm | ródhiongbháilte | ró- lenites |
“Diongbháilte” 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.
Firm in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for firm?
The Irish for firm is diongbháilte (pronounced “DING-vawl-cha”). It comes after the noun: fear diongbháilte, a firm man; girseach dhiongbháilte, a firm girl.
How do you say firmer and firmest in Irish?
níos diongbháilte is firmer and is diongbháilte is firmest. In the past tense they become ní ba dhiongbháilte and ba dhiongbháilte.
Why does diongbháilte become dhiongbháilte?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach dhiongbháilte (a firm girl) but fear diongbháilte (a firm man), because fear is masculine.
How do you say very firm in Irish?
an-diongbháilte. Too firm is ródhiongbháilte, and as firm as is chomh diongbháilte le.
Does diongbháilte have more than one meaning?
Yes. Diongbháilte can mean firm, secure, self-assured or fitting, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between diongbháilte and daingean?
Both can mean firm, but diongbháilte is used especially for resolve or determination, as in cinneadh diongbháilte, while daingean often describes physical solidity, as in balla daingean.
