HeyRuaHow to say “firm” in Irish
- Irish:
- firmeálta
- English:
- firm, determined
- Word type:
- adjective
- Firmer:
- níos firmeálta
- Firmest:
- is firmeálta
- Pronunciation:
- “FIR-im-awl-ta” /ˈfʲɪɾʲəmʲaːl̪ˠt̪ˠə/
What does “firmeálta” mean?
“Firmeálta” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- firm
- Steady, solid and not easily moved or changed.Also: steady, solid, stable.
1 other meaning: determined
- 2determined
- Showing a strong, fixed attitude or decision.Also: resolute, firm, strict.
Other Irish adjectives for firm: crua (hard), daingean (firm), diongbháilte (firm), docht (tight)
“Firmeálta” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is firmeálta after greim (grip, 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 fhirmeálta. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: greim firmeálta.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, firmeálta. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: mná firmeálta.
Firmer, firmest, very firm
Ba chóir duit a bheith níos firmeálta leis na páistí. You should be firmer with the children.
| firmer | níos firmeálta | in the past tense: ní b'fhirmeálta |
|---|---|---|
| firmest | is firmeálta | in the past tense: ab fhirmeálta |
| as firm as | chomh firmeálta le | no change after chomh |
| very firm | an-fhirmeálta | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too firm | rófhirmeálta | ró- lenites |
“Firmeálta” 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 firmeálta (pronounced “FIR-im-awl-ta”). It comes after the noun: greim firmeálta, a firm grip; bean fhirmeálta, a firm woman.
How do you say firmer and firmest in Irish?
níos firmeálta is firmer and is firmeálta is firmest. In the past tense they become ní b'fhirmeálta and ab fhirmeálta.
Why does firmeálta become fhirmeálta?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean fhirmeálta (a firm woman) but greim firmeálta (a firm grip), because greim is masculine.
How do you say very firm in Irish?
an-fhirmeálta. Too firm is rófhirmeálta, and as firm as is chomh firmeálta le.
Does firmeálta have more than one meaning?
Yes. Firmeálta can mean firm or determined, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between firmeálta and daingean?
Both can mean firm, but daingean is the more traditional word for something secure or fixed, while firmeálta is often used of a firm grip, voice or attitude.
