HeyRuaHow to say “last” in Irish
- Irish:
- deireanach
- English:
- last, late, latest
- Word type:
- adjective
- Laster:
- níos deireanaí
- Lastest:
- is deireanaí
- Plural:
- deireanacha
- Pronunciation:
- “JER-nukh” /ˈdʲeɾʲnˠəx/
What does “deireanach” mean?
“Deireanach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- last
- Coming at the end, after all others.Also: final, end.
2 other meanings: late or latest
- 2late
- Happening or arriving after the proper or expected time.Also: overdue, behind time.
- 3latest
- Most recent; the newest so far.Also: recent, newest, latter.
“Deireanach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is deireanach after bus (bus, masculine), after oíche (night, 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: oíche dheireanach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: bus deireanach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, deireanacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: oícheanta deireanacha.
Laster, lastest, very last
Tháinig sé abhaile níos deireanaí ná a dheirfiúr. He came home later than his sister.
| laster | níos deireanaí | in the past tense: ní ba dheireanaí |
|---|---|---|
| lastest | is deireanaí | in the past tense: ba dheireanaí |
| as last as | chomh deireanach le | no change after chomh |
| very last | an-deireanach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too last | ródheireanach | ró- lenites |
“Deireanach” 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.
Last in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for last?
The Irish for last is deireanach (pronounced “JER-nukh”). It comes after the noun: bus deireanach, a last bus; oíche dheireanach, a last night.
How do you say laster and lastest in Irish?
níos deireanaí is laster and is deireanaí is lastest. In the past tense they become ní ba dheireanaí and ba dheireanaí.
Why does deireanach become dheireanach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So oíche dheireanach (a last night) but bus deireanach (a last bus), because bus is masculine.
What is the plural of deireanach?
With a plural noun deireanach becomes deireanacha: busanna deireanacha, oícheanta deireanacha.
How do you say very last in Irish?
an-deireanach. Too last is ródheireanach, and as last as is chomh deireanach le.
Does deireanach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Deireanach can mean last, late or latest, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'deireanach' and 'déanach'?
Both can mean late: 'déanach' is mainly late in time (tá sé déanach), while 'deireanach' also means last (an lá deireanach). In many areas 'deireanach' is used for both.
How do I say 'the latest'?
Use the superlative 'is deireanaí': an nuacht is deireanaí, the latest news.
