HeyRuaHow to say “useful” in Irish
- Irish:
- fóinteach
- English:
- useful, substantial
- Word type:
- adjective
- More useful:
- níos fóintí
- Most useful:
- is fóintí
- Plural:
- fóinteacha
- Pronunciation:
- “FOHN-chukh” /ˈfoːnʲtʲəx/
What does “fóinteach” mean?
“Fóinteach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- useful
- Serving a good practical purpose; handy and helpful.Also: serviceable, practical, handy, helpful.
1 other meaning: substantial
- 2substantial
- Solid, sound and of good quality, as of food or a person who is capable.Also: sound, solid, good.
Other Irish adjectives for useful: praiticiúil (practical), cabhrach (helpful), úsáideach (useful), acrach (handy)
“Fóinteach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is fóinteach after leabhar (book, masculine), after uirlis (tool, 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: uirlis fhóinteach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: leabhar fóinteach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, fóinteacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: leabhair fhóinteacha; after other plurals it does not: uirlisí fóinteacha.
More useful, most useful, very useful
Tá an t-eolas seo níos fóintí ná an seaneolas. This information is more useful than the old information.
| more useful | níos fóintí | in the past tense: ní b'fhóintí |
|---|---|---|
| most useful | is fóintí | in the past tense: ab fhóintí |
| as useful as | chomh fóinteach le | no change after chomh |
| very useful | an-fhóinteach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too useful | rófhóinteach | ró- lenites |
“Fóinteach” 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.
Useful in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for useful?
The Irish for useful is fóinteach (pronounced “FOHN-chukh”). It comes after the noun: leabhar fóinteach, a useful book; uirlis fhóinteach, a useful tool.
How do you say more useful and most useful in Irish?
níos fóintí is more useful and is fóintí is most useful. In the past tense they become ní b'fhóintí and ab fhóintí.
Why does fóinteach become fhóinteach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So uirlis fhóinteach (a useful tool) but leabhar fóinteach (a useful book), because leabhar is masculine.
What is the plural of fóinteach?
With a plural noun fóinteach becomes fóinteacha: leabhair fhóinteacha, uirlisí fóinteacha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very useful in Irish?
an-fhóinteach. Too useful is rófhóinteach, and as useful as is chomh fóinteach le.
Does fóinteach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fóinteach can mean useful or substantial, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'fóinteach' and 'úsáideach'?
Both mean useful. 'Úsáideach' is the everyday word, while 'fóinteach' often suggests something practical and serviceable, as in 'eolas fóinteach'.
