HeyRuaHow to say “late” in Irish
- Irish:
- déanach
- English:
- late, last, recent
- Word type:
- adjective
- Later:
- níos déanaí
- Latest:
- is déanaí
- Plural:
- déanacha
- Pronunciation:
- “JAY-nukh” /ˈdʲeːnˠəx/
What does “déanach” mean?
“Déanach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- late
- Happening or arriving after the expected or usual time.Also: delayed, overdue, tardy.
2 other meanings: last or recent
- 2last
- Coming at the end, final; in the superlative it means the latest or most recent.Also: final, latest, most recent.
- 3recent
- Belonging to a time not long ago.Also: latter, late.
Other Irish adjectives for late: antráthach (untimely)
“Déanach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is déanach 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 dhéanach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: bus déanach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, déanacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: oícheanta déanacha.
Later, latest, very late
Tháinig sí abhaile níos déanaí ná mise. She came home later than me.
| later | níos déanaí | in the past tense: ní ba dhéanaí |
|---|---|---|
| latest | is déanaí | in the past tense: ba dhéanaí |
| as late as | chomh déanach le | no change after chomh |
| very late | an-déanach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too late | ródhéanach | ró- lenites |
“Déanach” 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.
Late in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for late?
The Irish for late is déanach (pronounced “JAY-nukh”). It comes after the noun: bus déanach, a late bus; oíche dhéanach, a late night.
How do you say later and latest in Irish?
níos déanaí is later and is déanaí is latest. In the past tense they become ní ba dhéanaí and ba dhéanaí.
Why does déanach become dhéanach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So oíche dhéanach (a late night) but bus déanach (a late bus), because bus is masculine.
What is the plural of déanach?
With a plural noun déanach becomes déanacha: busanna déanacha, oícheanta déanacha.
How do you say very late in Irish?
an-déanach. Too late is ródhéanach, and as late as is chomh déanach le.
Does déanach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Déanach can mean late, last or recent, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between déanach and mall?
Both can mean late: déanach is about time, as in 'Tá mé déanach', while mall also means slow, as in 'carr mall'.
How do I say 'recently' or 'at the latest'?
Use 'le déanaí' for recently and 'ar a dhéanaí' for at the latest, as in 'faoin Aoine ar a dhéanaí'.
