HeyRuaHow to say “high” in Irish
- Irish:
- ard
- English:
- high, tall, loud, chief
- Word type:
- adjective
- Higher:
- níos airde
- Highest:
- is airde
- Plural:
- arda
- Pronunciation:
- “awrd” /ɑːɾˠd̪ˠ/
What does “ard” mean?
“Ard” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- high
- Reaching far up, or at a great level, amount or degree.Also: lofty, elevated, raised.
3 other meanings: tall or loud or chief
- 2tall
- Of great height, used of people, trees and buildings.Also: high.
- 3loud
- Of a voice or sound: strong and easily heard, or high in pitch.Also: high-pitched, raised.
- 4chief
- Highest in rank or importance, as in titles and official names.Also: high, senior, supreme.
“Ard” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is ard after fear (man, masculine), after bean (woman, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, arda.
Higher, highest, very high
Tá mise níos airde ná tusa. I am taller than you.
| higher | níos airde | in the past tense: ní b'airde |
|---|---|---|
| highest | is airde | in the past tense: ab airde |
| as high as | chomh hard le | chomh puts an h before a vowel |
| very high | an-ard | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too high | ró-ard | ró- lenites |
“Ard” 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.
High in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for high?
The Irish for high is ard (pronounced “awrd”). It comes after the noun: fear ard, a high man; bean ard, a high woman.
How do you say higher and highest in Irish?
níos airde is higher and is airde is highest. In the past tense they become ní b'airde and ab airde.
What is the plural of ard?
With a plural noun ard becomes arda: fir arda, mná arda.
How do you say very high in Irish?
an-ard. Too high is ró-ard, and as high as is chomh hard le.
Does ard have more than one meaning?
Yes. Ard can mean high, tall, loud or chief, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What does 'os ard' mean?
'Os ard' means aloud or openly, as in 'Léigh sé os ard é', he read it aloud.
How is 'ard' used as a prefix?
'Ard' is often prefixed without a hyphen to mean chief or high, as in 'ardmhéara' or 'ardscoil', a secondary school.
