HeyRuaHow to say “loyal” in Irish
- Irish:
- dílis
- English:
- loyal, dear, own
- Word type:
- adjective
- More loyal:
- níos dílse
- Most loyal:
- is dílse
- Plural:
- dílse
- Pronunciation:
- “DEE-lish” /ˈdʲiːlʲəʃ/
What does “dílis” mean?
“Dílis” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- loyal
- Faithful and true to a person, country or cause.Also: faithful, true, devoted, trusty.
2 other meanings: dear or own
- 2dear
- Much loved and close to your heart; also used as a term of affection.Also: beloved, darling, fond.
- 3own
- Belonging properly to someone, rightfully theirs.Also: proper, rightful.
“Dílis” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is dílis after cara (friend, masculine), after girseach (girl, 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: girseach dhílis. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: cara dílis.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, dílse. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: girseacha dílse.
More loyal, most loyal, very loyal
Níl aon duine níos dílse ná a mháthair dó. Nobody is more loyal to him than his mother.
| more loyal | níos dílse | in the past tense: ní ba dhílse |
|---|---|---|
| most loyal | is dílse | in the past tense: ba dhílse |
| as loyal as | chomh dílis le | no change after chomh |
| very loyal | an-dílis | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too loyal | ródhílis | ró- lenites |
“Dílis” 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.
Loyal in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for loyal?
The Irish for loyal is dílis (pronounced “DEE-lish”). It comes after the noun: cara dílis, a loyal friend; girseach dhílis, a loyal girl.
How do you say more loyal and most loyal in Irish?
níos dílse is more loyal and is dílse is most loyal. In the past tense they become ní ba dhílse and ba dhílse.
Why does dílis become dhílis?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach dhílis (a loyal girl) but cara dílis (a loyal friend), because cara is masculine.
What is the plural of dílis?
With a plural noun dílis becomes dílse: cairde dílse, girseacha dílse.
How do you say very loyal in Irish?
an-dílis. Too loyal is ródhílis, and as loyal as is chomh dílis le.
Does dílis have more than one meaning?
Yes. Dílis can mean loyal, dear or own, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Which preposition goes with dílis?
Use do: dílis do dhuine, loyal to someone, as in dílis dá bhean chéile.
What is the opposite of dílis?
The opposite is mídhílis, disloyal or unfaithful.
