HeyRuaHow to say “mannerly” in Irish
- Irish:
- modhúil
- English:
- mannerly, modest, gentle
- Word type:
- adjective
- More mannerly:
- níos modhúla
- Most mannerly:
- is modhúla
- Plural:
- modhúla
- Pronunciation:
- “MOH-ool” /ˈmˠəuːlʲ/
What does “modhúil” mean?
“Modhúil” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- mannerly
- Having good manners and behaving politely and properly.Also: well-mannered, polite, courteous, gracious.
2 other meanings: modest or gentle
- 2modest
- Quiet and decent in behaviour, not boastful or forward.Also: demure, ladylike, decorous.
- 3gentle
- Mild and gentle in nature or manner.Also: mild, meek.
“Modhúil” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is modhúil after buachaill (boy, 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 mhodhúil. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: buachaill modhúil.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, modhúla. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: mná modhúla.
More mannerly, most mannerly, very mannerly
Tá Síle níos modhúla ná a deirfiúr. Síle is more modest than her sister.
| more mannerly | níos modhúla | in the past tense: ní ba mhodhúla |
|---|---|---|
| most mannerly | is modhúla | in the past tense: ba mhodhúla |
| as mannerly as | chomh modhúil le | no change after chomh |
| very mannerly | an-mhodhúil | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too mannerly | rómhodhúil | ró- lenites |
“Modhúil” 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.
Mannerly in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for mannerly?
The Irish for mannerly is modhúil (pronounced “MOH-ool”). It comes after the noun: buachaill modhúil, a mannerly boy; bean mhodhúil, a mannerly woman.
How do you say more mannerly and most mannerly in Irish?
níos modhúla is more mannerly and is modhúla is most mannerly. In the past tense they become ní ba mhodhúla and ba mhodhúla.
Why does modhúil become mhodhúil?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean mhodhúil (a mannerly woman) but buachaill modhúil (a mannerly boy), because buachaill is masculine.
What is the plural of modhúil?
With a plural noun modhúil becomes modhúla: buachaillí modhúla, mná modhúla.
How do you say very mannerly in Irish?
an-mhodhúil. Too mannerly is rómhodhúil, and as mannerly as is chomh modhúil le.
Does modhúil have more than one meaning?
Yes. Modhúil can mean mannerly, modest or gentle, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'modhúil' and 'múinte'?
'Múinte' is the everyday word for polite or well-mannered, while 'modhúil' stresses modest, decorous behaviour and gentleness.
