HeyRuaHow to say “primary” in Irish
- Irish:
- príomha
- English:
- primary
- Word type:
- adjective
- More primary:
- níos príomha
- Most primary:
- is príomha
- Pronunciation:
- “PREE-uh-ha” /ˈpʲɾʲiːwə/
What does “príomha” mean?
- primary
- First or most basic in order or importance, especially in technical uses such as primary colours or prime numbers.Also: prime, principal, basic.
“Príomha” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is príomha after dath (colour, masculine), after uimhir (number, 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: uimhir phríomha. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: dath príomha.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, príomha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: uimhreacha príomha.
More primary, most primary, very primary
Níl aon uimhir níos príomha ná uimhir eile. No number is more prime than another.
| more primary | níos príomha | in the past tense: ní ba phríomha |
|---|---|---|
| most primary | is príomha | in the past tense: ba phríomha |
| as primary as | chomh príomha le | no change after chomh |
| very primary | an-phríomha | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too primary | róphríomha | ró- lenites |
“Príomha” 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.
Primary in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for primary?
The Irish for primary is príomha (pronounced “PREE-uh-ha”). It comes after the noun: dath príomha, a primary colour; uimhir phríomha, a primary number.
How do you say more primary and most primary in Irish?
níos príomha is more primary and is príomha is most primary. In the past tense they become ní ba phríomha and ba phríomha.
Why does príomha become phríomha?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So uimhir phríomha (a primary number) but dath príomha (a primary colour), because dath is masculine.
How do you say very primary in Irish?
an-phríomha. Too primary is róphríomha, and as primary as is chomh príomha le.
What is the difference between 'príomha' and the prefix 'príomh-'?
The prefix 'príomh-' joins the front of a noun and lenites it, as in 'príomhchathair' (capital city) or 'príomhoide' (principal). 'Príomha' is a separate adjective that follows the noun, as in 'uimhir phríomha' (prime number).
