HeyRuaHow to say “low” in Irish
- Irish:
- íseal
- English:
- low, lowly, soft
- Word type:
- adjective
- Lower:
- níos ísle
- Lowest:
- is ísle
- Plural:
- ísle
- Pronunciation:
- “EE-shal” /ˈiːʃəl̪ˠ/
What does “íseal” mean?
“Íseal” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- low
- Not high, close to the ground or below the usual level.Also: low-lying, short.
2 other meanings: lowly or soft
- 2lowly
- Of humble rank or status in society.Also: humble, low-ranking, base.
- 3soft
- Of a voice or sound: quiet, not loud.Also: quiet, low-pitched.
“Íseal” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is íseal after balla (wall, masculine), after cathaoir (chair, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, ísle.
Lower, lowest, very low
Tá an bord seo níos ísle ná an ceann eile. This table is lower than the other one.
| lower | níos ísle | in the past tense: ní b'ísle |
|---|---|---|
| lowest | is ísle | in the past tense: ab ísle |
| as low as | chomh híseal le | chomh puts an h before a vowel |
| very low | an-íseal | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too low | ró-íseal | ró- lenites |
“Íseal” 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.
Low in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for low?
The Irish for low is íseal (pronounced “EE-shal”). It comes after the noun: balla íseal, a low wall; cathaoir íseal, a low chair.
How do you say lower and lowest in Irish?
níos ísle is lower and is ísle is lowest. In the past tense they become ní b'ísle and ab ísle.
What is the plural of íseal?
With a plural noun íseal becomes ísle: ballaí ísle, cathaoireacha ísle.
How do you say very low in Irish?
an-íseal. Too low is ró-íseal, and as low as is chomh híseal le.
Does íseal have more than one meaning?
Yes. Íseal can mean low, lowly or soft, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the opposite of 'íseal'?
The usual opposite is 'ard' (high, tall), as in 'balla ard' versus 'balla íseal'. In the sense of rank, the opposite is 'uasal' (noble).
How do I say 'speak in a low voice'?
You can say 'labhair i nguth íseal' or 'labhair go híseal'.
