HeyRuaHow to say “legal” in Irish
- Irish:
- dlíthiúil
- English:
- legal, legal (relating to law)
- Word type:
- adjective
- More legal:
- níos dlíthiúla
- Most legal:
- is dlíthiúla
- Plural:
- dlíthiúla
- Pronunciation:
- “DLEE-hool” /ˈdʲlʲiːhuːlʲ/
What does “dlíthiúil” mean?
“Dlíthiúil” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- legal
- Allowed by the law or done according to the law.Also: lawful, legitimate, licit.
1 other meaning: legal (relating to law)
- 2legal (relating to law)
- Having to do with the law or the legal system.Also: legal, juridical, judicial, law-related.
“Dlíthiúil” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is dlíthiúil 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 dhlíthiúil. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: conradh dlíthiúil.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, dlíthiúla. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: scéimeanna dlíthiúla.
More legal, most legal, very legal
| more legal | níos dlíthiúla | in the past tense: ní ba dhlíthiúla |
|---|---|---|
| most legal | is dlíthiúla | in the past tense: ba dhlíthiúla |
| as legal as | chomh dlíthiúil le | no change after chomh |
| very legal | an-dlíthiúil | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too legal | ródhlíthiúil | ró- lenites |
“Dlíthiúil” 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.
Legal in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for legal?
The Irish for legal is dlíthiúil (pronounced “DLEE-hool”). It comes after the noun: conradh dlíthiúil, a legal contract; scéim dhlíthiúil, a legal scheme.
How do you say more legal and most legal in Irish?
níos dlíthiúla is more legal and is dlíthiúla is most legal. In the past tense they become ní ba dhlíthiúla and ba dhlíthiúla.
Why does dlíthiúil become dhlíthiúil?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So scéim dhlíthiúil (a legal scheme) but conradh dlíthiúil (a legal contract), because conradh is masculine.
What is the plural of dlíthiúil?
With a plural noun dlíthiúil becomes dlíthiúla: conarthaí dlíthiúla, scéimeanna dlíthiúla.
How do you say very legal in Irish?
an-dlíthiúil. Too legal is ródhlíthiúil, and as legal as is chomh dlíthiúil le.
Does dlíthiúil have more than one meaning?
Yes. Dlíthiúil can mean legal or legal (relating to law), depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'dlíthiúil' and 'dleathach'?
Both can mean lawful, but 'dleathach' focuses on what the law permits, while 'dlíthiúil' is also used for things relating to law, as in 'comhairle dhlíthiúil' (legal advice).
How do I say 'illegal'?
The usual word is 'mídhleathach', for example 'Tá sé mídhleathach'; 'neamhdhlíthiúil' is also found.
