HeyRuaHow to say “like” in Irish
- Irish:
- cosúil
- English:
- like, likely
- Word type:
- adjective
- Liker:
- níos cosúla
- Likest:
- is cosúla
- Plural:
- cosúla
- Pronunciation:
- “kuh-SOOL” /kəˈsuːlʲ/
What does “cosúil” mean?
“Cosúil” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- like
- Resembling someone or something, usually followed by 'le'.Also: similar, resembling, alike.
1 other meaning: likely
- 2likely
- Probable or apparent, used in 'is cosúil' meaning it seems or it is likely.Also: apparent, seemingly, probable.
“Cosúil” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is cosúil after teach (house, masculine), after cathair (city, 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: cathair chosúil. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: teach cosúil.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, cosúla. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: cathracha cosúla.
Liker, likest, very like
Tá sí níos cosúla lena hathair ná lena máthair. She is more like her father than her mother.
| liker | níos cosúla | in the past tense: ní ba chosúla |
|---|---|---|
| likest | is cosúla | in the past tense: ba chosúla |
| as like as | chomh cosúil le | no change after chomh |
| very like | an-chosúil | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too like | róchosúil | ró- lenites |
“Cosúil” 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.
Like in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for like?
The Irish for like is cosúil (pronounced “kuh-SOOL”). It comes after the noun: teach cosúil, a similar house; cathair chosúil, a similar city.
How do you say liker and likest in Irish?
níos cosúla is liker and is cosúla is likest. In the past tense they become ní ba chosúla and ba chosúla.
Why does cosúil become chosúil?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So cathair chosúil (a similar city) but teach cosúil (a similar house), because teach is masculine.
What is the plural of cosúil?
With a plural noun cosúil becomes cosúla: tithe cosúla, cathracha cosúla.
How do you say very like in Irish?
an-chosúil. Too like is róchosúil, and as like as is chomh cosúil le.
Does cosúil have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cosúil can mean like or likely, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Which preposition follows 'cosúil'?
Use 'le': 'Tá sé cosúil le a athair' becomes 'Tá sé cosúil lena athair', he is like his father.
What does 'is cosúil' mean?
'Is cosúil' means it seems or apparently, as in 'Is cosúil go bhfuil sé tinn', it seems he is sick.
