HeyRuaHow to say “tight” in Irish
- Irish:
- docht
- English:
- tight, stiff, strict
- Word type:
- adjective
- Tighter:
- níos doichte
- Tightest:
- is doichte
- Plural:
- dochta
- Pronunciation:
- “dukht” /d̪ˠɔxt̪ˠ/
What does “docht” mean?
“Docht” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- tight
- Fastened, closed or held firmly so that it does not move or come loose.Also: firm, secure, fast.
2 other meanings: stiff or strict
“Docht” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is docht after fear (man, masculine), after bróg (shoe, 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: bróg dhocht. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear docht.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, dochta. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir dhochta; after other plurals it does not: bróga dochta.
Tighter, tightest, very tight
Tá an doras seo níos doichte ná an ceann eile. This door is stiffer than the other one.
| tighter | níos doichte | in the past tense: ní ba dhoichte |
|---|---|---|
| tightest | is doichte | in the past tense: ba dhoichte |
| as tight as | chomh docht le | no change after chomh |
| very tight | an-docht | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too tight | ródhocht | ró- lenites |
“Docht” 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.
Tight in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for tight?
The Irish for tight is docht (pronounced “dukht”). It comes after the noun: fear docht, a tight man; bróg dhocht, a tight shoe.
How do you say tighter and tightest in Irish?
níos doichte is tighter and is doichte is tightest. In the past tense they become ní ba dhoichte and ba dhoichte.
Why does docht become dhocht?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bróg dhocht (a tight shoe) but fear docht (a tight man), because fear is masculine.
What is the plural of docht?
With a plural noun docht becomes dochta: fir dhochta, bróga dochta. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very tight in Irish?
an-docht. Too tight is ródhocht, and as tight as is chomh docht le.
Does docht have more than one meaning?
Yes. Docht can mean tight, stiff or strict, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'docht' and 'teann'?
'Docht' means tight or firmly fastened, as in 'snaidhm dhocht' (a tight knot), while 'teann' suggests tautness or firmness, as in 'rópa teann' (a taut rope).
What is the opposite of 'docht'?
The usual opposite is 'scaoilte' (loose), as in 'Tá an tsnaidhm scaoilte' (The knot is loose).
