HeyRuaHow to say “lawful” in Irish
- Irish:
- dlisteanach
- English:
- lawful, proper, loyal
- Word type:
- adjective
- More lawful:
- níos dlisteanaí
- Most lawful:
- is dlisteanaí
- Plural:
- dlisteanacha
- Pronunciation:
- “DLISH-tya-nuck” /ˈdʲlʲɪʃtʲənˠəx/
What does “dlisteanach” mean?
“Dlisteanach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- lawful
- Allowed by law or based on a legal right.Also: legitimate, legal, rightful.
2 other meanings: proper or loyal
- 2proper
- Correct, fitting or done in the right way.Also: regular, due, fitting.
- 3loyal
- Faithful and dutiful to a person or cause.Also: faithful, dutiful.
Other Irish adjectives for lawful: dlíthiúil (legal)
“Dlisteanach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is dlisteanach after úinéir (owner, 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 dhlisteanach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: úinéir dlisteanach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, dlisteanacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: scéimeanna dlisteanacha.
More lawful, most lawful, very lawful
Is éileamh níos dlisteanaí é seo ná an ceann eile. This is a more legitimate claim than the other one.
| more lawful | níos dlisteanaí | in the past tense: ní ba dhlisteanaí |
|---|---|---|
| most lawful | is dlisteanaí | in the past tense: ba dhlisteanaí |
| as lawful as | chomh dlisteanach le | no change after chomh |
| very lawful | an-dlisteanach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too lawful | ródhlisteanach | ró- lenites |
“Dlisteanach” 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 dlisteanach (pronounced “DLISH-tya-nuck”). It comes after the noun: úinéir dlisteanach, a lawful owner; scéim dhlisteanach, a lawful scheme.
How do you say more lawful and most lawful in Irish?
níos dlisteanaí is more lawful and is dlisteanaí is most lawful. In the past tense they become ní ba dhlisteanaí and ba dhlisteanaí.
Why does dlisteanach become dhlisteanach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So scéim dhlisteanach (a lawful scheme) but úinéir dlisteanach (a lawful owner), because úinéir is masculine.
What is the plural of dlisteanach?
With a plural noun dlisteanach becomes dlisteanacha: úinéirí dlisteanacha, scéimeanna dlisteanacha.
How do you say very lawful in Irish?
an-dlisteanach. Too lawful is ródhlisteanach, and as lawful as is chomh dlisteanach le.
Does dlisteanach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Dlisteanach can mean lawful, proper or loyal, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'dlisteanach' and 'dleathach'?
'Dleathach' usually means legal, permitted by law, while 'dlisteanach' stresses rightfulness or legitimacy, as in 'oidhre dlisteanach', lawful heir.
