HeyRuaHow to say “formal” in Irish
- Irish:
- foirmiúil
- English:
- formal, formal (language)
- Word type:
- adjective
- More formal:
- níos foirmiúla
- Most formal:
- is foirmiúla
- Plural:
- foirmiúla
- Pronunciation:
- “FIR-im-ool” /ˈfˠɛɾʲəmʲuːlʲ/
What does “foirmiúil” mean?
“Foirmiúil” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- formal
- Following official rules, conventions or proper ceremony rather than being casual.Also: official, ceremonial, proper.
1 other meaning: formal (language)
- 2formal (language)
- Describes careful, correct language or style used in official or polite situations.Also: formal, literary, elevated.
Other Irish adjectives for formal: foirmeálta (formal), formalach (formal)
“Foirmiúil” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is foirmiúil after cruinniú (meeting, masculine), after litir (letter, 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: litir fhoirmiúil. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: cruinniú foirmiúil.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, foirmiúla. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: litreacha foirmiúla.
More formal, most formal, very formal
Tá an óráid seo níos foirmiúla ná an ceann eile. This speech is more formal than the other one.
| more formal | níos foirmiúla | in the past tense: ní b'fhoirmiúla |
|---|---|---|
| most formal | is foirmiúla | in the past tense: ab fhoirmiúla |
| as formal as | chomh foirmiúil le | no change after chomh |
| very formal | an-fhoirmiúil | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too formal | rófhoirmiúil | ró- lenites |
“Foirmiúil” 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.
Formal in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for formal?
The Irish for formal is foirmiúil (pronounced “FIR-im-ool”). It comes after the noun: cruinniú foirmiúil, a formal meeting; litir fhoirmiúil, a formal letter.
How do you say more formal and most formal in Irish?
níos foirmiúla is more formal and is foirmiúla is most formal. In the past tense they become ní b'fhoirmiúla and ab fhoirmiúla.
Why does foirmiúil become fhoirmiúil?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So litir fhoirmiúil (a formal letter) but cruinniú foirmiúil (a formal meeting), because cruinniú is masculine.
What is the plural of foirmiúil?
With a plural noun foirmiúil becomes foirmiúla: cruinnithe foirmiúla, litreacha foirmiúla.
How do you say very formal in Irish?
an-fhoirmiúil. Too formal is rófhoirmiúil, and as formal as is chomh foirmiúil le.
Does foirmiúil have more than one meaning?
Yes. Foirmiúil can mean formal or formal (language), depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the opposite of 'foirmiúil'?
The opposite is 'neamhfhoirmiúil', meaning informal, as in 'comhrá neamhfhoirmiúil' (an informal conversation).
Is 'foirmiúil' the same as 'oifigiúil'?
Not quite: 'oifigiúil' means official, authorised by an authority, while 'foirmiúil' means formal in style or manner, for example 'éadaí foirmiúla' (formal clothes).
