HeyRuaHow to say “proper” in Irish
- Irish:
- cóir
- English:
- proper, just, decent
- Word type:
- adjective
- More proper:
- níos córa
- Most proper:
- is córa
- Plural:
- córa
- Pronunciation:
- “kore” /koːɾʲ/
What does “cóir” mean?
“Cóir” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- proper
- Right and fitting for the situation; as something ought to be.Also: right, fitting, appropriate, correct.
2 other meanings: just or decent
- 2just
- Fair and in keeping with what is right.Also: fair, righteous.
- 3decent
- Honest and respectable in behaviour.Also: honest, upright.
“Cóir” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is cóir after luach (value, masculine), after tuairim (opinion, 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: tuairim chóir. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: luach cóir.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, córa. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: tuairimí córa.
More proper, most proper, very proper
Bheadh an socrú seo níos córa do chách. This arrangement would be fairer for everyone.
| more proper | níos córa | in the past tense: ní ba chóra |
|---|---|---|
| most proper | is córa | in the past tense: ba chóra |
| as proper as | chomh cóir le | no change after chomh |
| very proper | an-chóir | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too proper | róchóir | ró- lenites |
“Cóir” 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.
Proper in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for proper?
The Irish for proper is cóir (pronounced “kore”). It comes after the noun: luach cóir, a proper value; tuairim chóir, a proper opinion.
How do you say more proper and most proper in Irish?
níos córa is more proper and is córa is most proper. In the past tense they become ní ba chóra and ba chóra.
Why does cóir become chóir?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So tuairim chóir (a proper opinion) but luach cóir (a proper value), because luach is masculine.
What is the plural of cóir?
With a plural noun cóir becomes córa: luachanna córa, tuairimí córa.
How do you say very proper in Irish?
an-chóir. Too proper is róchóir, and as proper as is chomh cóir le.
Does cóir have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cóir can mean proper, just or decent, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say 'should' with cóir?
Use the copula with the preposition do: 'Ba chóir duit fanacht' means 'You should stay', and 'Níor chóir dom' means 'I shouldn't'.
What is the difference between cóir and ceart?
Both mean right, but 'ceart' is the everyday word for correct, while 'cóir' stresses what is fitting or just, as in 'ba chóir' (ought to).
