HeyRuaHow to say “funny” in Irish
- Irish:
- barrúil
- English:
- funny, strange
- Word type:
- adjective
- Funnier:
- níos barrúla
- Funniest:
- is barrúla
- Plural:
- barrúla
- Pronunciation:
- “BAR-ool” /ˈbˠaɾˠuːlʲ/
What does “barrúil” mean?
“Barrúil” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- funny
- Making people laugh or smile; amusing.Also: amusing, comical, droll, humorous.
1 other meaning: strange
- 2strange
- Odd or peculiar in a way that is surprising.Also: odd, peculiar, funny.
Other Irish adjectives for funny: greannmhar (funny), saoithiúil (funny), ábhachtach (humorous)
“Barrúil” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is barrúil after scéal (story, 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 bharrúil. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: scéal barrúil.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, barrúla. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: mná barrúla.
Funnier, funniest, very funny
Tá an dara scéal níos barrúla ná an chéad cheann. The second story is funnier than the first one.
| funnier | níos barrúla | in the past tense: ní ba bharrúla |
|---|---|---|
| funniest | is barrúla | in the past tense: ba bharrúla |
| as funny as | chomh barrúil le | no change after chomh |
| very funny | an-bharrúil | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too funny | róbharrúil | ró- lenites |
“Barrúil” 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.
Funny in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for funny?
The Irish for funny is barrúil (pronounced “BAR-ool”). It comes after the noun: scéal barrúil, a funny story; bean bharrúil, a funny woman.
How do you say funnier and funniest in Irish?
níos barrúla is funnier and is barrúla is funniest. In the past tense they become ní ba bharrúla and ba bharrúla.
Why does barrúil become bharrúil?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean bharrúil (a funny woman) but scéal barrúil (a funny story), because scéal is masculine.
What is the plural of barrúil?
With a plural noun barrúil becomes barrúla: scéalta barrúla, mná barrúla.
How do you say very funny in Irish?
an-bharrúil. Too funny is róbharrúil, and as funny as is chomh barrúil le.
Does barrúil have more than one meaning?
Yes. Barrúil can mean funny or strange, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'barrúil' and 'greannmhar'?
Both mean funny; 'greannmhar' is the more general standard word, while 'barrúil' is very common in speech and can also mean odd, as in 'rud barrúil' (a strange thing).
