HeyRuaHow to say “fond” in Irish
- Irish:
- dúilmhear
- English:
- fond, greedy
- Word type:
- adjective
- Fonder:
- níos dúilmhire
- Fondest:
- is dúilmhire
- Plural:
- dúilmheara
- Pronunciation:
- “DOOL-vur” /ˈduːlʲvʲəɾ/
What does “dúilmhear” mean?
“Dúilmhear” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- fond
- Having a liking or desire for something, used with 'i'.Also: keen, desirous, eager.
“Dúilmhear” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is dúilmhear 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 dhúilmhear. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: páiste dúilmhear.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, dúilmheara. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: girseacha dúilmheara.
Fonder, fondest, very fond
Tá sé níos dúilmhire i gceol ná mise. He is fonder of music than I am.
| fonder | níos dúilmhire | in the past tense: ní ba dhúilmhire |
|---|---|---|
| fondest | is dúilmhire | in the past tense: ba dhúilmhire |
| as fond as | chomh dúilmhear le | no change after chomh |
| very fond | an-dúilmhear | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too fond | ródhúilmhear | ró- lenites |
“Dúilmhear” 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 dúilmhear (pronounced “DOOL-vur”). It comes after the noun: páiste dúilmhear, a fond child; girseach dhúilmhear, a fond girl.
How do you say fonder and fondest in Irish?
níos dúilmhire is fonder and is dúilmhire is fondest. In the past tense they become ní ba dhúilmhire and ba dhúilmhire.
Why does dúilmhear become dhúilmhear?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach dhúilmhear (a fond girl) but páiste dúilmhear (a fond child), because páiste is masculine.
What is the plural of dúilmhear?
With a plural noun dúilmhear becomes dúilmheara: páistí dúilmheara, girseacha dúilmheara.
How do you say very fond in Irish?
an-dúilmhear. Too fond is ródhúilmhear, and as fond as is chomh dúilmhear le.
Does dúilmhear have more than one meaning?
Yes. Dúilmhear can mean fond or greedy, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Which preposition goes with 'dúilmhear'?
Use 'i': 'dúilmhear i milseáin', fond of sweets. Compare 'ceanúil ar', which uses 'ar'.
