HeyRuaHow to say “generous” in Irish
- Irish:
- flaithbheartach
- English:
- generous, lavish
- Word type:
- adjective
- More generous:
- níos flaithbheartaí
- Most generous:
- is flaithbheartaí
- Plural:
- flaithbheartacha
- Pronunciation:
- “FLAH-var-tukh” /ˈfˠlˠahwəɾˠt̪ˠəx/
What does “flaithbheartach” mean?
“Flaithbheartach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- generous
- Willing to give freely of money, food or time to others.Also: open-handed, liberal, bountiful, munificent.
1 other meaning: lavish
- 2lavish
- Given or spent in large amounts, sometimes more than is needed.Also: extravagant, prodigal.
Other Irish adjectives for generous: flaithiúil (generous), flaithiúlach (generous), fialmhar (generous), tabhartasach (generous)
“Flaithbheartach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is flaithbheartach after fear (man, 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 fhlaithbheartach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear flaithbheartach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, flaithbheartacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir fhlaithbheartacha; after other plurals it does not: mná flaithbheartacha.
More generous, most generous, very generous
Tá Máire níos flaithbheartaí ná a deartháir. Máire is more generous than her brother.
| more generous | níos flaithbheartaí | in the past tense: ní ba fhlaithbheartaí |
|---|---|---|
| most generous | is flaithbheartaí | in the past tense: ba fhlaithbheartaí |
| as generous as | chomh flaithbheartach le | no change after chomh |
| very generous | an-fhlaithbheartach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too generous | rófhlaithbheartach | ró- lenites |
“Flaithbheartach” 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.
Generous in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for generous?
The Irish for generous is flaithbheartach (pronounced “FLAH-var-tukh”). It comes after the noun: fear flaithbheartach, a generous man; bean fhlaithbheartach, a generous woman.
How do you say more generous and most generous in Irish?
níos flaithbheartaí is more generous and is flaithbheartaí is most generous. In the past tense they become ní ba fhlaithbheartaí and ba fhlaithbheartaí.
Why does flaithbheartach become fhlaithbheartach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean fhlaithbheartach (a generous woman) but fear flaithbheartach (a generous man), because fear is masculine.
What is the plural of flaithbheartach?
With a plural noun flaithbheartach becomes flaithbheartacha: fir fhlaithbheartacha, mná flaithbheartacha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very generous in Irish?
an-fhlaithbheartach. Too generous is rófhlaithbheartach, and as generous as is chomh flaithbheartach le.
Does flaithbheartach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Flaithbheartach can mean generous or lavish, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'flaithbheartach' and 'fial'?
Both mean generous; 'fial' is the more everyday word, while 'flaithbheartach' suggests princely or lavish generosity, from 'flaith' (a prince).
Which preposition is used with 'flaithbheartach'?
Use 'le' for the person or thing: 'flaithbheartach le daoine bochta' means generous to poor people.
