HeyRuaHow to say “great” in Irish
- Irish:
- diail
- English:
- great, extreme
- Word type:
- adjective
- Greater:
- níos diaile
- Greatest:
- is diaile
- Plural:
- diaile
- Pronunciation:
- “jee-al” /dʲiəlʲ/
What does “diail” mean?
“Diail” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- great
- Very good, excellent or splendid; often used to show enthusiasm.Also: excellent, splendid, first-rate, terrific.
1 other meaning: extreme
- 2extreme
- Very great in amount or degree, often in a surprising or excessive way.Also: terrible, devilish, tremendous.
Other Irish adjectives for great: iontach (wonderful)
“Diail” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is diail after lá (day, masculine), after oíche (night, 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: oíche dhiail. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: lá diail.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, diaile. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: oícheanta diaile.
Greater, greatest, very great
| greater | níos diaile | in the past tense: ní ba dhiaile |
|---|---|---|
| greatest | is diaile | in the past tense: ba dhiaile |
| as great as | chomh diail le | no change after chomh |
| very great | an-diail | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too great | ródhiail | ró- lenites |
“Diail” 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.
Great in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for great?
The Irish for great is diail (pronounced “jee-al”). It comes after the noun: lá diail, a great day; oíche dhiail, a great night.
How do you say greater and greatest in Irish?
níos diaile is greater and is diaile is greatest. In the past tense they become ní ba dhiaile and ba dhiaile.
Why does diail become dhiail?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So oíche dhiail (a great night) but lá diail (a great day), because lá is masculine.
What is the plural of diail?
With a plural noun diail becomes diaile: laethanta diaile, oícheanta diaile.
How do you say very great in Irish?
an-diail. Too great is ródhiail, and as great as is chomh diail le.
Does diail have more than one meaning?
Yes. Diail can mean great or extreme, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I use diail to answer 'how are you?'
You can simply say 'Go diail!', meaning 'Great!' or 'Splendid!'.
Is diail related to the word for devil?
Yes, 'diail' is linked to 'diabhal' (devil), which is why it can also mean devilish or extreme, much like 'uafásach' can mean both terrible and very.
