HeyRuaHow to say “lovable” in Irish
- Irish:
- geanúil
- English:
- lovable, affectionate, decent
- Word type:
- adjective
- More lovable:
- níos geanúla
- Most lovable:
- is geanúla
- Plural:
- geanúla
- Pronunciation:
- “GAN-ool” /ˈɟanˠuːlʲ/
What does “geanúil” mean?
“Geanúil” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- lovable
- Easy to love; likeable and charming.Also: likeable, amiable, charming, endearing.
2 other meanings: affectionate or decent
- 2affectionate
- Showing love and warmth towards others.Also: loving, fond, warm.
- 3decent
- Modest and respectable in behaviour.Also: modest, seemly.
“Geanúil” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is geanúil after páiste (child, masculine), after bean (woman, 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: bean gheanúil. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: páiste geanúil.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, geanúla. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: mná geanúla.
More lovable, most lovable, very lovable
Tá an madra seo níos geanúla ná an cat. This dog is more affectionate than the cat.
| more lovable | níos geanúla | in the past tense: ní ba gheanúla |
|---|---|---|
| most lovable | is geanúla | in the past tense: ba gheanúla |
| as lovable as | chomh geanúil le | no change after chomh |
| very lovable | an-gheanúil | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too lovable | rógheanúil | ró- lenites |
“Geanúil” 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.
Lovable in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for lovable?
The Irish for lovable is geanúil (pronounced “GAN-ool”). It comes after the noun: páiste geanúil, a lovable child; bean gheanúil, a lovable woman.
How do you say more lovable and most lovable in Irish?
níos geanúla is more lovable and is geanúla is most lovable. In the past tense they become ní ba gheanúla and ba gheanúla.
Why does geanúil become gheanúil?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean gheanúil (a lovable woman) but páiste geanúil (a lovable child), because páiste is masculine.
What is the plural of geanúil?
With a plural noun geanúil becomes geanúla: páistí geanúla, mná geanúla.
How do you say very lovable in Irish?
an-gheanúil. Too lovable is rógheanúil, and as lovable as is chomh geanúil le.
Does geanúil have more than one meaning?
Yes. Geanúil can mean lovable, affectionate or decent, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Which preposition goes with geanúil?
Use ar for the person you are fond of: Tá sé geanúil ar a sheanmháthair, he is fond of his grandmother.
What is the difference between geanúil and ceanúil?
Both mean fond or affectionate and are often used alike: ceanúil ar is very common for being fond of someone, while geanúil also stresses being lovable.
