HeyRuaHow to say “sound” in Irish
- Irish:
- fónta
- English:
- sound, worthy, useful
- Word type:
- adjective
- Sounder:
- níos fónta
- Soundest:
- is fónta
- Pronunciation:
- “FOAN-ta” /ˈfoːn̪ˠt̪ˠə/
What does “fónta” mean?
“Fónta” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- sound
- Good and solid in quality, reliable and well made.Also: solid, good, substantial, reliable.
2 other meanings: worthy or useful
- 2worthy
- Describes a decent, good person of sound character.Also: decent, good, excellent.
- 3useful
- Serviceable and of real use or benefit.Also: serviceable, beneficial, practical.
“Fónta” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is fónta after fear (man, 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 fhónta. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear fónta.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, fónta. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir fhónta; after other plurals it does not: comhairlí fónta.
Sounder, soundest, very sound
Tá an plean seo níos fónta ná an ceann eile. This plan is sounder than the other one.
| sounder | níos fónta | in the past tense: ní b'fhónta |
|---|---|---|
| soundest | is fónta | in the past tense: ab fhónta |
| as sound as | chomh fónta le | no change after chomh |
| very sound | an-fhónta | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too sound | rófhónta | ró- lenites |
“Fónta” 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.
Sound in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for sound?
The Irish for sound is fónta (pronounced “FOAN-ta”). It comes after the noun: fear fónta, a sound man; comhairle fhónta, sound advice.
How do you say sounder and soundest in Irish?
níos fónta is sounder and is fónta is soundest. In the past tense they become ní b'fhónta and ab fhónta.
Why does fónta become fhónta?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So comhairle fhónta (sound advice) but fear fónta (a sound man), because fear is masculine.
How do you say very sound in Irish?
an-fhónta. Too sound is rófhónta, and as sound as is chomh fónta le.
Does fónta have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fónta can mean sound, worthy or useful, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Is 'fónta' the same as 'fiúntach'?
They overlap: 'fónta' stresses soundness and usefulness, as in 'comhairle fhónta', while 'fiúntach' stresses worth or value, as in 'saothar fiúntach'.
