HeyRuaHow to say “firm” in Irish
- Irish:
- daingean
- English:
- firm, strong, steadfast
- Word type:
- adjective
- Firmer:
- níos daingne
- Firmest:
- is daingne
- Plural:
- daingne
- Pronunciation:
- “DANG-un” /ˈd̪ˠaŋənˠ/
What does “daingean” mean?
“Daingean” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- firm
- Fixed securely in place and hard to move or shake.Also: secure, fast, fixed, solid.
2 other meanings: strong or steadfast
- 2strong
- Strongly built or fortified, able to withstand attack or force.Also: fortified, sturdy, solid.
- 3steadfast
- Determined and unchanging in purpose or belief.Also: resolute, determined, constant, firm of purpose.
Other Irish adjectives for firm: crua (hard), diongbháilte (firm), docht (tight), soladach (solid)
The same spelling has its own page as:
“Daingean” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is daingean after balla (wall, masculine), after bróg (shoe, 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: bróg dhaingean. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: balla daingean.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, daingne. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: bróga daingne.
Firmer, firmest, very firm
Tá an droichead nua níos daingne ná an seancheann. The new bridge is sturdier than the old one.
| firmer | níos daingne | in the past tense: ní ba dhaingne |
|---|---|---|
| firmest | is daingne | in the past tense: ba dhaingne |
| as firm as | chomh daingean le | no change after chomh |
| very firm | an-daingean | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too firm | ródhaingean | ró- lenites |
“Daingean” 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 daingean (pronounced “DANG-un”). It comes after the noun: balla daingean, a firm wall; bróg dhaingean, a firm shoe.
How do you say firmer and firmest in Irish?
níos daingne is firmer and is daingne is firmest. In the past tense they become ní ba dhaingne and ba dhaingne.
Why does daingean become dhaingean?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bróg dhaingean (a firm shoe) but balla daingean (a firm wall), because balla is masculine.
What is the plural of daingean?
With a plural noun daingean becomes daingne: ballaí daingne, bróga daingne.
How do you say very firm in Irish?
an-daingean. Too firm is ródhaingean, and as firm as is chomh daingean le.
Does daingean have more than one meaning?
Yes. Daingean can mean firm, strong or steadfast, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'daingean' and 'láidir'?
'Láidir' is the general word for strong, while 'daingean' stresses being firm, secure or fixed, as in 'greim daingean' (a firm grip).
What does 'faoi rún daingean' mean?
'Faoi rún daingean' means in strict confidence or top secret.
