HeyRuaHow to say “voluntary” in Irish
- Irish:
- deonach
- English:
- voluntary, willing
- Word type:
- adjective
- More voluntary:
- níos deonaí
- Most voluntary:
- is deonaí
- Plural:
- deonacha
- Pronunciation:
- “JOH-nukh” /ˈdʲoːnəx/
What does “deonach” mean?
“Deonach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- voluntary
- Done or given freely, by choice, without being forced or paid.Also: willing, volunteer, unpaid, optional.
1 other meaning: willing
- 2willing
- Ready and happy to do something when asked.Also: ready, obliging.
Other Irish adjectives for voluntary: saorálach (voluntary)
“Deonach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is deonach after fear (man, masculine), after girseach (girl, 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: girseach dheonach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear deonach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, deonacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir dheonacha; after other plurals it does not: girseacha deonacha.
More voluntary, most voluntary, very voluntary
| more voluntary | níos deonaí | in the past tense: ní ba dheonaí |
|---|---|---|
| most voluntary | is deonaí | in the past tense: ba dheonaí |
| as voluntary as | chomh deonach le | no change after chomh |
| very voluntary | an-deonach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too voluntary | ródheonach | ró- lenites |
“Deonach” 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.
Voluntary in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for voluntary?
The Irish for voluntary is deonach (pronounced “JOH-nukh”). It comes after the noun: fear deonach, a voluntary man; girseach dheonach, a voluntary girl.
How do you say more voluntary and most voluntary in Irish?
níos deonaí is more voluntary and is deonaí is most voluntary. In the past tense they become ní ba dheonaí and ba dheonaí.
Why does deonach become dheonach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach dheonach (a voluntary girl) but fear deonach (a voluntary man), because fear is masculine.
What is the plural of deonach?
With a plural noun deonach becomes deonacha: fir dheonacha, girseacha deonacha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very voluntary in Irish?
an-deonach. Too voluntary is ródheonach, and as voluntary as is chomh deonach le.
Does deonach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Deonach can mean voluntary or willing, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'deonach' and 'saorálach'?
Both mean voluntary; 'saorálach' is common in 'obair shaorálach' and 'saorálaí' (volunteer), while 'deonach' also suggests something given willingly, as in 'síntiús deonach'.
