HeyRuaHow to say “true” in Irish
- Irish:
- fíor
- English:
- true, real, faithful
- Word type:
- adjective
- Truer:
- níos fíre
- Truest:
- is fíre
- Plural:
- fíora
- Pronunciation:
- “feer” /fʲiːɾˠ/
What does “fíor” mean?
“Fíor” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- true
- In agreement with the facts; not false.Also: correct, right, accurate.
2 other meanings: real or faithful
- 2real
- Genuine, actual, not imitation or pretend.Also: genuine, actual, authentic.
- 3faithful
- Loyal and true to a person or a promise.Also: loyal, true.
“Fíor” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is fíor after scéal (story, masculine), after bean (woman, 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: bean fhíor. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: scéal fíor.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, fíora. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: mná fíora.
Truer, truest, very true
| truer | níos fíre | in the past tense: ní b'fhíre |
|---|---|---|
| truest | is fíre | in the past tense: ab fhíre |
| as true as | chomh fíor le | no change after chomh |
| very true | an-fhíor | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too true | rófhíor | ró- lenites |
“Fíor” 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.
True in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for true?
The Irish for true is fíor (pronounced “feer”). It comes after the noun: scéal fíor, a true story; bean fhíor, a true woman.
How do you say truer and truest in Irish?
níos fíre is truer and is fíre is truest. In the past tense they become ní b'fhíre and ab fhíre.
Why does fíor become fhíor?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean fhíor (a true woman) but scéal fíor (a true story), because scéal is masculine.
What is the plural of fíor?
With a plural noun fíor becomes fíora: scéalta fíora, mná fíora.
How do you say very true in Irish?
an-fhíor. Too true is rófhíor, and as true as is chomh fíor le.
Does fíor have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fíor can mean true, real or faithful, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say 'you are right' with fíor?
Say 'Is fíor duit', literally 'it is true for you'; in the past it is 'B'fhíor duit'.
What does the prefix fíor- mean?
As a prefix fíor- means 'really' or 'genuinely', as in fíorchúramach 'really careful' or fíoruisce 'spring water'.
