HeyRuaHow to say “fond” in Irish
- Irish:
- dúileach
- English:
- fond, affectionate
- Word type:
- adjective
- Fonder:
- níos dúilí
- Fondest:
- is dúilí
- Plural:
- dúileacha
- Pronunciation:
- “DOO-lukh” /ˈduːlʲəx/
What does “dúileach” mean?
“Dúileach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- fond
- Having a strong liking or desire for something, usually followed by 'i'.Also: desirous, keen, eager, longing.
“Dúileach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is dúileach after páiste (child, 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 dhúileach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: páiste dúileach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, dúileacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: girseacha dúileacha.
Fonder, fondest, very fond
Tá sí níos dúilí sa léitheoireacht ná a deartháir. She is fonder of reading than her brother.
| fonder | níos dúilí | in the past tense: ní ba dhúilí |
|---|---|---|
| fondest | is dúilí | in the past tense: ba dhúilí |
| as fond as | chomh dúileach le | no change after chomh |
| very fond | an-dúileach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too fond | ródhúileach | ró- lenites |
“Dúileach” 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.
Fond in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for fond?
The Irish for fond is dúileach (pronounced “DOO-lukh”). It comes after the noun: páiste dúileach, a fond child; girseach dhúileach, a fond girl.
How do you say fonder and fondest in Irish?
níos dúilí is fonder and is dúilí is fondest. In the past tense they become ní ba dhúilí and ba dhúilí.
Why does dúileach become dhúileach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach dhúileach (a fond girl) but páiste dúileach (a fond child), because páiste is masculine.
What is the plural of dúileach?
With a plural noun dúileach becomes dúileacha: páistí dúileacha, girseacha dúileacha.
How do you say very fond in Irish?
an-dúileach. Too fond is ródhúileach, and as fond as is chomh dúileach le.
Does dúileach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Dúileach can mean fond or affectionate, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Which preposition goes with dúileach?
Use 'i': Tá sé dúileach sa cheol means 'he is fond of music'. It comes from the noun 'dúil', desire.
How is dúileach different from ceanúil?
Dúileach stresses desire or appetite for something, while ceanúil ar stresses affection, as in ceanúil ar a mháthair.
