HeyRuaHow to say “helpful” in Irish
- Irish:
- cuidiúil
- English:
- helpful, useful
- Word type:
- adjective
- More helpful:
- níos cuidiúla
- Most helpful:
- is cuidiúla
- Plural:
- cuidiúla
- Pronunciation:
- “KWID-oo-il” /ˈkɪdʲuːlʲ/
What does “cuidiúil” mean?
“Cuidiúil” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- helpful
- Willing and able to help other people.Also: obliging, cooperative, supportive.
1 other meaning: useful
- 2useful
- Giving help or being of practical use in a task.Also: handy, of help.
Other Irish adjectives for helpful: cabhrach (helpful), cúntach (helpful), garach (obliging), oibleagáideach (obliging)
“Cuidiúil” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is cuidiúil after fear (man, masculine), after comharsa (neighbour, 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: comharsa chuidiúil. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear cuidiúil.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, cuidiúla. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir chuidiúla; after other plurals it does not: comharsana cuidiúla.
More helpful, most helpful, very helpful
Tá Síle níos cuidiúla ná a deartháir. Síle is more helpful than her brother.
| more helpful | níos cuidiúla | in the past tense: ní ba chuidiúla |
|---|---|---|
| most helpful | is cuidiúla | in the past tense: ba chuidiúla |
| as helpful as | chomh cuidiúil le | no change after chomh |
| very helpful | an-chuidiúil | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too helpful | róchuidiúil | ró- lenites |
“Cuidiúil” 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.
Helpful in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for helpful?
The Irish for helpful is cuidiúil (pronounced “KWID-oo-il”). It comes after the noun: fear cuidiúil, a helpful man; comharsa chuidiúil, a helpful neighbour.
How do you say more helpful and most helpful in Irish?
níos cuidiúla is more helpful and is cuidiúla is most helpful. In the past tense they become ní ba chuidiúla and ba chuidiúla.
Why does cuidiúil become chuidiúil?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So comharsa chuidiúil (a helpful neighbour) but fear cuidiúil (a helpful man), because fear is masculine.
What is the plural of cuidiúil?
With a plural noun cuidiúil becomes cuidiúla: fir chuidiúla, comharsana cuidiúla. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very helpful in Irish?
an-chuidiúil. Too helpful is róchuidiúil, and as helpful as is chomh cuidiúil le.
Does cuidiúil have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cuidiúil can mean helpful or useful, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Which preposition goes with cuidiúil?
Use le for the person helped: Bhí sí an-chuidiúil liom, she was very helpful to me.
What is the difference between cuidiúil and cabhrach?
Both mean helpful; cuidiúil is especially common in Ulster Irish, while cabhrach is widely used elsewhere.
