HeyRuaHow to say “sensible” in Irish
- Irish:
- ciallmhar
- English:
- sensible, reasonable
- Word type:
- adjective
- More sensible:
- níos ciallmhaire
- Most sensible:
- is ciallmhaire
- Plural:
- ciallmhara
- Pronunciation:
- “KEE-al-vor” /ˈciəlˠvˠəɾˠ/
What does “ciallmhar” mean?
“Ciallmhar” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- sensible
- Having or showing good sense and sound judgement.Also: wise, prudent, level-headed, judicious.
“Ciallmhar” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is ciallmhar after duine (person, masculine), after comhairle (advice, 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: comhairle chiallmhar. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: duine ciallmhar.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, ciallmhara. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: comhairlí ciallmhara.
More sensible, most sensible, very sensible
Tá Máire níos ciallmhaire ná a deartháir. Máire is more sensible than her brother.
| more sensible | níos ciallmhaire | in the past tense: ní ba chiallmhaire |
|---|---|---|
| most sensible | is ciallmhaire | in the past tense: ba chiallmhaire |
| as sensible as | chomh ciallmhar le | no change after chomh |
| very sensible | an-chiallmhar | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too sensible | róchiallmhar | ró- lenites |
“Ciallmhar” 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.
Sensible in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for sensible?
The Irish for sensible is ciallmhar (pronounced “KEE-al-vor”). It comes after the noun: duine ciallmhar, a sensible person; comhairle chiallmhar, sensible advice.
How do you say more sensible and most sensible in Irish?
níos ciallmhaire is more sensible and is ciallmhaire is most sensible. In the past tense they become ní ba chiallmhaire and ba chiallmhaire.
Why does ciallmhar become chiallmhar?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So comhairle chiallmhar (sensible advice) but duine ciallmhar (a sensible person), because duine is masculine.
What is the plural of ciallmhar?
With a plural noun ciallmhar becomes ciallmhara: daoine ciallmhara, comhairlí ciallmhara.
How do you say very sensible in Irish?
an-chiallmhar. Too sensible is róchiallmhar, and as sensible as is chomh ciallmhar le.
Does ciallmhar have more than one meaning?
Yes. Ciallmhar can mean sensible or reasonable, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the opposite of ciallmhar?
Common opposites are amaideach (foolish) and seafóideach (silly, nonsensical).
Is ciallmhar related to ciall?
Yes, it comes from ciall (sense, meaning), as in ciall cheannaigh, sense bought by experience.
