HeyRuaHow to say “hopeful” in Irish
- Irish:
- dóchasach
- English:
- hopeful, promising
- Word type:
- adjective
- More hopeful:
- níos dóchasaí
- Most hopeful:
- is dóchasaí
- Plural:
- dóchasacha
- Pronunciation:
- “DOH-khas-akh” /ˈd̪ˠoːxəsˠəx/
What does “dóchasach” mean?
“Dóchasach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- hopeful
- Feeling or showing hope that something good will happen.Also: optimistic, sanguine, confident.
1 other meaning: promising
- 2promising
- Giving cause for hope; likely to turn out well.Also: encouraging, hopeful.
Other Irish adjectives for hopeful: geallúnach (promising)
“Dóchasach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is dóchasach after fear (man, masculine), after girseach (girl, 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: girseach dhóchasach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear dóchasach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, dóchasacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir dhóchasacha; after other plurals it does not: girseacha dóchasacha.
More hopeful, most hopeful, very hopeful
Táim níos dóchasaí inniu ná inné. I am more hopeful today than yesterday.
| more hopeful | níos dóchasaí | in the past tense: ní ba dhóchasaí |
|---|---|---|
| most hopeful | is dóchasaí | in the past tense: ba dhóchasaí |
| as hopeful as | chomh dóchasach le | no change after chomh |
| very hopeful | an-dóchasach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too hopeful | ródhóchasach | ró- lenites |
“Dóchasach” 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.
Hopeful in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for hopeful?
The Irish for hopeful is dóchasach (pronounced “DOH-khas-akh”). It comes after the noun: fear dóchasach, a hopeful man; girseach dhóchasach, a hopeful girl.
How do you say more hopeful and most hopeful in Irish?
níos dóchasaí is more hopeful and is dóchasaí is most hopeful. In the past tense they become ní ba dhóchasaí and ba dhóchasaí.
Why does dóchasach become dhóchasach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach dhóchasach (a hopeful girl) but fear dóchasach (a hopeful man), because fear is masculine.
What is the plural of dóchasach?
With a plural noun dóchasach becomes dóchasacha: fir dhóchasacha, girseacha dóchasacha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very hopeful in Irish?
an-dóchasach. Too hopeful is ródhóchasach, and as hopeful as is chomh dóchasach le.
Does dóchasach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Dóchasach can mean hopeful or promising, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the opposite of 'dóchasach'?
The opposite is 'éadóchasach', meaning hopeless or despairing. Both come from the noun 'dóchas', hope.
How do I say I am hopeful that something will happen?
Use 'Tá mé dóchasach go...' followed by a verb, for example 'Tá mé dóchasach go dtiocfaidh sé', I am hopeful that he will come.
