HeyRuaHow to say “lawful” in Irish
- Irish:
- dleathach
- English:
- lawful, rightful
- Word type:
- adjective
- More lawful:
- níos dleathaí
- Most lawful:
- is dleathaí
- Plural:
- dleathacha
- Pronunciation:
- “DLAH-hukh” /dʲlʲahəx/
What does “dleathach” mean?
“Dleathach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- lawful
- Allowed by law or in keeping with the law.Also: legal, legitimate, licit.
1 other meaning: rightful
- 2rightful
- Having a proper legal right or claim to something.Also: legitimate, due.
Other Irish adjectives for lawful: dlíthiúil (legal)
“Dleathach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is dleathach after conradh (contract, masculine), after scéim (scheme, 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: scéim dhleathach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: conradh dleathach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, dleathacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: scéimeanna dleathacha.
More lawful, most lawful, very lawful
Tá an modh seo níos dleathaí ná an ceann eile. This method is more lawful than the other one.
| more lawful | níos dleathaí | in the past tense: ní ba dhleathaí |
|---|---|---|
| most lawful | is dleathaí | in the past tense: ba dhleathaí |
| as lawful as | chomh dleathach le | no change after chomh |
| very lawful | an-dleathach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too lawful | ródhleathach | ró- lenites |
“Dleathach” 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.
Lawful in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for lawful?
The Irish for lawful is dleathach (pronounced “DLAH-hukh”). It comes after the noun: conradh dleathach, a lawful contract; scéim dhleathach, a lawful scheme.
How do you say more lawful and most lawful in Irish?
níos dleathaí is more lawful and is dleathaí is most lawful. In the past tense they become ní ba dhleathaí and ba dhleathaí.
Why does dleathach become dhleathach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So scéim dhleathach (a lawful scheme) but conradh dleathach (a lawful contract), because conradh is masculine.
What is the plural of dleathach?
With a plural noun dleathach becomes dleathacha: conarthaí dleathacha, scéimeanna dleathacha.
How do you say very lawful in Irish?
an-dleathach. Too lawful is ródhleathach, and as lawful as is chomh dleathach le.
Does dleathach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Dleathach can mean lawful or rightful, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'dleathach' and 'dlíthiúil'?
'Dleathach' means lawful or permitted by law, while 'dlíthiúil' usually means legal in the sense of relating to law, as in 'comhairle dhlíthiúil' (legal advice).
How do I say 'illegal' in Irish?
Use 'mídhleathach' or 'neamhdhleathach', for example 'Tá sé mídhleathach' (It is illegal).
