HeyRuaHow to say “sober” in Irish
- Irish:
- sóbráilte
- English:
- sober, sober-minded
- Word type:
- adjective
- More sober:
- níos sóbráilte
- Most sober:
- is sóbráilte
- Pronunciation:
- “SOH-brawl-cheh” /ˈsˠoːbˠɾˠaːlʲtʲə/
What does “sóbráilte” mean?
“Sóbráilte” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- sober
- Not drunk; not affected by alcohol.Also: not drunk, clear-headed.
1 other meaning: sober-minded
- 2sober-minded
- Serious, sensible and calm in manner.Also: serious, sensible, staid.
“Sóbráilte” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is sóbráilte after fear (man, masculine), after banaltra (nurse, 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: banaltra shóbráilte. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear sóbráilte.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, sóbráilte. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir shóbráilte; after other plurals it does not: banaltraí sóbráilte.
More sober, most sober, very sober
Bhí sé níos sóbráilte ar maidin. He was more sober in the morning.
| more sober | níos sóbráilte | in the past tense: ní ba shóbráilte |
|---|---|---|
| most sober | is sóbráilte | in the past tense: ba shóbráilte |
| as sober as | chomh sóbráilte le | no change after chomh |
| very sober | an-sóbráilte | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too sober | róshóbráilte | ró- lenites |
“Sóbráilte” 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.
Sober in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for sober?
The Irish for sober is sóbráilte (pronounced “SOH-brawl-cheh”). It comes after the noun: fear sóbráilte, a sober man; banaltra shóbráilte, a sober nurse.
How do you say more sober and most sober in Irish?
níos sóbráilte is more sober and is sóbráilte is most sober. In the past tense they become ní ba shóbráilte and ba shóbráilte.
Why does sóbráilte become shóbráilte?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So banaltra shóbráilte (a sober nurse) but fear sóbráilte (a sober man), because fear is masculine.
How do you say very sober in Irish?
an-sóbráilte. Too sober is róshóbráilte, and as sober as is chomh sóbráilte le.
Does sóbráilte have more than one meaning?
Yes. Sóbráilte can mean sober or sober-minded, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the opposite of 'sóbráilte'?
The usual opposite is 'ólta' (drunk), as in 'Bhí sé ólta' (He was drunk); 'ar meisce' is also common.
