HeyRuaHow to say “healthy” in Irish
- Irish:
- folláin
- English:
- healthy, wholesome, sound
- Word type:
- adjective
- Healthier:
- níos folláine
- Healthiest:
- is folláine
- Plural:
- folláine
- Pronunciation:
- “FUL-awn” /ˈfˠɔl̪ˠɑːnʲ/
What does “folláin” mean?
“Folláin” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- healthy
- In good health, or good for your health.Also: fit, well, in good health.
2 other meanings: wholesome or sound
- 2wholesome
- Good for you in body or mind, such as food, air or entertainment.Also: nourishing, bracing, salubrious.
- 3sound
- Whole and in good condition, without damage or flaw.Also: whole, intact.
Other Irish adjectives for healthy: sláintiúil (healthy)
“Folláin” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is folláin after bia (food, masculine), after aiste (essay, 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: aiste fholláin. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: bia folláin.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, folláine. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: aistí folláine.
Healthier, healthiest, very healthy
Tá glasraí níos folláine ná milseáin. Vegetables are healthier than sweets.
| healthier | níos folláine | in the past tense: ní b'fholláine |
|---|---|---|
| healthiest | is folláine | in the past tense: ab fholláine |
| as healthy as | chomh folláin le | no change after chomh |
| very healthy | an-fholláin | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too healthy | rófholláin | ró- lenites |
“Folláin” 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.
Healthy in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for healthy?
The Irish for healthy is folláin (pronounced “FUL-awn”). It comes after the noun: bia folláin, healthy food; aiste fholláin, a healthy essay.
How do you say healthier and healthiest in Irish?
níos folláine is healthier and is folláine is healthiest. In the past tense they become ní b'fholláine and ab fholláine.
Why does folláin become fholláin?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So aiste fholláin (a healthy essay) but bia folláin (healthy food), because bia is masculine.
What is the plural of folláin?
With a plural noun folláin becomes folláine: bianna folláine, aistí folláine.
How do you say very healthy in Irish?
an-fholláin. Too healthy is rófholláin, and as healthy as is chomh folláin le.
Does folláin have more than one meaning?
Yes. Folláin can mean healthy, wholesome or sound, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between folláin and sláintiúil?
Both mean healthy and are often interchangeable: bia folláin and bia sláintiúil are both common. Folláin also carries the sense of sound or whole, as in slán folláin.
