HeyRuaHow to say “suitable” in Irish
- Irish:
- fóirsteanach
- English:
- suitable, helpful
- Word type:
- adjective
- More suitable:
- níos fóirsteanaí
- Most suitable:
- is fóirsteanaí
- Plural:
- fóirsteanacha
- Pronunciation:
- “FOR-shtan-ukh” /ˈfoːɾʃtʲənəx/
What does “fóirsteanach” mean?
“Fóirsteanach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- suitable
- Right or appropriate for a particular purpose, person or occasion.Also: appropriate, fitting, apt, suited.
1 other meaning: helpful
- 2helpful
- Useful or serviceable, giving help in a practical way.Also: useful, serviceable.
Other Irish adjectives for suitable: oiriúnach (suitable), cuí (appropriate), iomchuí (appropriate), feiliúnach (suitable)
“Fóirsteanach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is fóirsteanach after post (job, masculine), after áit (place, 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: áit fhóirsteanach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: post fóirsteanach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, fóirsteanacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: poist fhóirsteanacha; after other plurals it does not: áiteanna fóirsteanacha.
More suitable, most suitable, very suitable
Bheadh an seomra eile níos fóirsteanaí dúinn. The other room would be more suitable for us.
| more suitable | níos fóirsteanaí | in the past tense: ní b'fhóirsteanaí |
|---|---|---|
| most suitable | is fóirsteanaí | in the past tense: ab fhóirsteanaí |
| as suitable as | chomh fóirsteanach le | no change after chomh |
| very suitable | an-fhóirsteanach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too suitable | rófhóirsteanach | ró- lenites |
“Fóirsteanach” 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.
Suitable in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for suitable?
The Irish for suitable is fóirsteanach (pronounced “FOR-shtan-ukh”). It comes after the noun: post fóirsteanach, a suitable job; áit fhóirsteanach, a suitable place.
How do you say more suitable and most suitable in Irish?
níos fóirsteanaí is more suitable and is fóirsteanaí is most suitable. In the past tense they become ní b'fhóirsteanaí and ab fhóirsteanaí.
Why does fóirsteanach become fhóirsteanach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So áit fhóirsteanach (a suitable place) but post fóirsteanach (a suitable job), because post is masculine.
What is the plural of fóirsteanach?
With a plural noun fóirsteanach becomes fóirsteanacha: poist fhóirsteanacha, áiteanna fóirsteanacha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very suitable in Irish?
an-fhóirsteanach. Too suitable is rófhóirsteanach, and as suitable as is chomh fóirsteanach le.
Does fóirsteanach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fóirsteanach can mean suitable or helpful, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Which preposition follows fóirsteanach?
Use 'do': 'fóirsteanach do pháistí' means suitable for children.
How does fóirsteanach differ from oiriúnach?
They are largely interchangeable for 'suitable'; 'oiriúnach' is more common, while 'fóirsteanach' can also suggest being helpful or serviceable.
