HeyRuaHow to say “helpless” in Irish
- Irish:
- éidreorach
- English:
- helpless, aimless
- Word type:
- adjective
- More helpless:
- níos éidreoraí
- Most helpless:
- is éidreoraí
- Plural:
- éidreoracha
- Pronunciation:
- “AY-dryor-ukh” /ˈeːdʲɾʲoːɾˠəx/
What does “éidreorach” mean?
“Éidreorach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- helpless
- Weak and unable to look after yourself or act without help.Also: feeble, powerless, weak, infirm.
1 other meaning: aimless
- 2aimless
- Without guidance or direction, not knowing what to do.Also: directionless, without guidance, lost.
“Éidreorach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is éidreorach after seanduine (old person, masculine), after bean (woman, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, éidreoracha.
More helpless, most helpless, very helpless
Tá sé níos éidreoraí anois ná riamh. He is more helpless now than ever.
| more helpless | níos éidreoraí | in the past tense: ní b'éidreoraí |
|---|---|---|
| most helpless | is éidreoraí | in the past tense: ab éidreoraí |
| as helpless as | chomh héidreorach le | chomh puts an h before a vowel |
| very helpless | an-éidreorach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too helpless | ró-éidreorach | ró- lenites |
“Éidreorach” 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.
Helpless in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for helpless?
The Irish for helpless is éidreorach (pronounced “AY-dryor-ukh”). It comes after the noun: seanduine éidreorach, a helpless old person; bean éidreorach, a helpless woman.
How do you say more helpless and most helpless in Irish?
níos éidreoraí is more helpless and is éidreoraí is most helpless. In the past tense they become ní b'éidreoraí and ab éidreoraí.
What is the plural of éidreorach?
With a plural noun éidreorach becomes éidreoracha: seandaoine éidreoracha, mná éidreoracha.
How do you say very helpless in Irish?
an-éidreorach. Too helpless is ró-éidreorach, and as helpless as is chomh héidreorach le.
Does éidreorach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Éidreorach can mean helpless or aimless, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How is éidreorach formed?
It comes from the negative prefix éi- and treorach, from treoir 'guidance', so it literally means 'without guidance'; the opposite idea is seen in treorach.
