HeyRuaHow to say “phonic” in Irish
- Irish:
- foghrach
- English:
- phonic, sonorous
- Word type:
- adjective
- More phonic:
- níos foghraí
- Most phonic:
- is foghraí
- Plural:
- foghracha
- Pronunciation:
- “FOW-rukh” /ˈfˠəuɾˠəx/
What does “foghrach” mean?
“Foghrach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- phonic
- Relating to sounds, especially the sounds of speech.Also: phonetic, sound, vocal.
1 other meaning: sonorous
- 2sonorous
- Having a full, clear sound.Also: resonant, sounding.
“Foghrach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is foghrach after córas (system, masculine), after aibítir (alphabet, 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: aibítir fhoghrach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: córas foghrach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, foghracha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: córais fhoghracha; after other plurals it does not: aibítrí foghracha.
More phonic, most phonic, very phonic
Tá an litriú seo níos foghraí ná an seanlitriú. This spelling is more phonetic than the old spelling.
| more phonic | níos foghraí | in the past tense: ní b'fhoghraí |
|---|---|---|
| most phonic | is foghraí | in the past tense: ab fhoghraí |
| as phonic as | chomh foghrach le | no change after chomh |
| very phonic | an-fhoghrach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too phonic | rófhoghrach | ró- lenites |
“Foghrach” 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.
Phonic in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for phonic?
The Irish for phonic is foghrach (pronounced “FOW-rukh”). It comes after the noun: córas foghrach, a phonic system; aibítir fhoghrach, a phonic alphabet.
How do you say more phonic and most phonic in Irish?
níos foghraí is more phonic and is foghraí is most phonic. In the past tense they become ní b'fhoghraí and ab fhoghraí.
Why does foghrach become fhoghrach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So aibítir fhoghrach (a phonic alphabet) but córas foghrach (a phonic system), because córas is masculine.
What is the plural of foghrach?
With a plural noun foghrach becomes foghracha: córais fhoghracha, aibítrí foghracha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very phonic in Irish?
an-fhoghrach. Too phonic is rófhoghrach, and as phonic as is chomh foghrach le.
Does foghrach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Foghrach can mean phonic or sonorous, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'foghrach' and 'foghraíochta'?
'Foghrach' is an adjective meaning phonic or relating to sound, while 'foghraíochta' is the genitive of the noun 'foghraíocht' (phonetics), used as in 'siombail foghraíochta' (a phonetic symbol).
