HeyRuaHow to say “quick” in Irish
- Irish:
- tapúil
- English:
- quick, prompt
- Word type:
- adjective
- Quicker:
- níos tapúla
- Quickest:
- is tapúla
- Plural:
- tapúla
- Pronunciation:
- “TAP-ool” /ˈt̪ˠapˠuːlʲ/
What does “tapúil” mean?
“Tapúil” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- quick
- Moving or acting fast and readily.Also: fast, speedy, rapid.
“Tapúil” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is tapúil after capall (horse, masculine), after girseach (girl, 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: girseach thapúil. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: capall tapúil.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, tapúla. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: capaill thapúla; after other plurals it does not: girseacha tapúla.
Quicker, quickest, very quick
Tá Seán níos tapúla ná a dheartháir. Seán is quicker than his brother.
| quicker | níos tapúla | in the past tense: ní ba thapúla |
|---|---|---|
| quickest | is tapúla | in the past tense: ba thapúla |
| as quick as | chomh tapúil le | no change after chomh |
| very quick | an-tapúil | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too quick | róthapúil | ró- lenites |
“Tapúil” 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.
Quick in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for quick?
The Irish for quick is tapúil (pronounced “TAP-ool”). It comes after the noun: capall tapúil, a quick horse; girseach thapúil, a quick girl.
How do you say quicker and quickest in Irish?
níos tapúla is quicker and is tapúla is quickest. In the past tense they become ní ba thapúla and ba thapúla.
Why does tapúil become thapúil?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach thapúil (a quick girl) but capall tapúil (a quick horse), because capall is masculine.
What is the plural of tapúil?
With a plural noun tapúil becomes tapúla: capaill thapúla, girseacha tapúla. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very quick in Irish?
an-tapúil. Too quick is róthapúil, and as quick as is chomh tapúil le.
Does tapúil have more than one meaning?
Yes. Tapúil can mean quick or prompt, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'tapúil' and 'tapa'?
Both mean quick; 'tapa' is the more common everyday word, while 'tapúil' often suggests someone who is quick and alert in action, as in 'duine tapúil'.
