HeyRuaHow to say “original” in Irish
- Irish:
- bunúil
- English:
- original, well-founded, well-to-do
- Word type:
- adjective
- More original:
- níos bunúla
- Most original:
- is bunúla
- Plural:
- bunúla
- Pronunciation:
- “BUN-ool” /ˈbʊnuːlʲ/
What does “bunúil” mean?
“Bunúil” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- original
- New and not copied from anything else, showing fresh ideas.Also: novel, inventive, creative.
2 other meanings: well-founded or well-to-do
- 2well-founded
- Having a solid basis or foundation; substantial.Also: substantial, solid, sound.
- 3well-to-do
- Comfortably off and having plenty of means.Also: well-off, prosperous, substantial.
“Bunúil” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is bunúil after smaoineamh (thought, masculine), after aiste (essay, 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: aiste bhunúil. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: smaoineamh bunúil.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, bunúla. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: aistí bunúla.
More original, most original, very original
Tá a cuid oibre níos bunúla ná riamh. Her work is more original than ever.
| more original | níos bunúla | in the past tense: ní ba bhunúla |
|---|---|---|
| most original | is bunúla | in the past tense: ba bhunúla |
| as original as | chomh bunúil le | no change after chomh |
| very original | an-bhunúil | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too original | róbhunúil | ró- lenites |
“Bunúil” 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.
Original in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for original?
The Irish for original is bunúil (pronounced “BUN-ool”). It comes after the noun: smaoineamh bunúil, an original thought; aiste bhunúil, an original essay.
How do you say more original and most original in Irish?
níos bunúla is more original and is bunúla is most original. In the past tense they become ní ba bhunúla and ba bhunúla.
Why does bunúil become bhunúil?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So aiste bhunúil (an original essay) but smaoineamh bunúil (an original thought), because smaoineamh is masculine.
What is the plural of bunúil?
With a plural noun bunúil becomes bunúla: smaointe bunúla, aistí bunúla.
How do you say very original in Irish?
an-bhunúil. Too original is róbhunúil, and as original as is chomh bunúil le.
Does bunúil have more than one meaning?
Yes. Bunúil can mean original, well-founded or well-to-do, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Is 'bunúil' the same as 'bunaidh'?
No. 'Bunúil' means original in the sense of creative or new, while 'bunaidh' means original in the sense of first or native, as in 'an leagan bunaidh' (the original version).
