HeyRuaHow to say “human” in Irish
- Irish:
- daonna
- English:
- human, humane
- Word type:
- adjective
- More human:
- níos daonna
- Most human:
- is daonna
- Pronunciation:
- “DEEN-a” /d̪ˠiːn̪ˠə/
What does “daonna” mean?
“Daonna” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- human
- Belonging to or typical of people rather than animals or machines.Also: of people, mortal.
1 other meaning: humane
- 2humane
- Kind and showing understanding towards others.Also: kindly, compassionate, kind.
“Daonna” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is daonna after nádúr (nature, masculine), after beatha (life, 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: beatha dhaonna. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: nádúr daonna.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, daonna. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: nádúir dhaonna; after other plurals it does not: beathaí daonna.
More human, most human, very human
Bhí an dara dochtúir níos daonna ná an chéad duine. The second doctor was more humane than the first.
| more human | níos daonna | in the past tense: ní ba dhaonna |
|---|---|---|
| most human | is daonna | in the past tense: ba dhaonna |
| as human as | chomh daonna le | no change after chomh |
| very human | an-daonna | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too human | ródhaonna | ró- lenites |
“Daonna” 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.
Human in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for human?
The Irish for human is daonna (pronounced “DEEN-a”). It comes after the noun: nádúr daonna, human nature; beatha dhaonna, a human life.
How do you say more human and most human in Irish?
níos daonna is more human and is daonna is most human. In the past tense they become ní ba dhaonna and ba dhaonna.
Why does daonna become dhaonna?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So beatha dhaonna (a human life) but nádúr daonna (human nature), because nádúr is masculine.
How do you say very human in Irish?
an-daonna. Too human is ródhaonna, and as human as is chomh daonna le.
Does daonna have more than one meaning?
Yes. Daonna can mean human or humane, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say 'the human race' in Irish?
Use 'an cine daonna'. The word 'daonna' also appears in 'cearta daonna', human rights.
What is the opposite of 'daonna'?
The opposite is 'mídhaonna', meaning inhuman or inhumane.
