HeyRuaHow to say “watchful” in Irish
- Irish:
- coimhéadach
- English:
- watchful, cautious
- Word type:
- adjective
- More watchful:
- níos coimhéadaí
- Most watchful:
- is coimhéadaí
- Plural:
- coimhéadacha
- Pronunciation:
- “KWIV-ay-duk” /ˈkɪvʲeːd̪ˠəx/
What does “coimhéadach” mean?
“Coimhéadach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- watchful
- Keeping a careful watch on what is happening around you.Also: vigilant, alert, on guard.
1 other meaning: cautious
- 2cautious
- Careful to avoid danger or mistakes.Also: wary, careful, circumspect.
Other Irish adjectives for watchful: airdeallach (watchful)
“Coimhéadach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is coimhéadach after garda (police officer, masculine), after máthair (mother, 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: máthair choimhéadach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: garda coimhéadach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, coimhéadacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: máithreacha coimhéadacha.
More watchful, most watchful, very watchful
Tá sí níos coimhéadaí ná a deartháir. She is more cautious than her brother.
| more watchful | níos coimhéadaí | in the past tense: ní ba choimhéadaí |
|---|---|---|
| most watchful | is coimhéadaí | in the past tense: ba choimhéadaí |
| as watchful as | chomh coimhéadach le | no change after chomh |
| very watchful | an-choimhéadach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too watchful | róchoimhéadach | ró- lenites |
“Coimhéadach” 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.
Watchful in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for watchful?
The Irish for watchful is coimhéadach (pronounced “KWIV-ay-duk”). It comes after the noun: garda coimhéadach, a watchful police officer; máthair choimhéadach, a watchful mother.
How do you say more watchful and most watchful in Irish?
níos coimhéadaí is more watchful and is coimhéadaí is most watchful. In the past tense they become ní ba choimhéadaí and ba choimhéadaí.
Why does coimhéadach become choimhéadach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So máthair choimhéadach (a watchful mother) but garda coimhéadach (a watchful police officer), because garda is masculine.
What is the plural of coimhéadach?
With a plural noun coimhéadach becomes coimhéadacha: gardaí coimhéadacha, máithreacha coimhéadacha.
How do you say very watchful in Irish?
an-choimhéadach. Too watchful is róchoimhéadach, and as watchful as is chomh coimhéadach le.
Does coimhéadach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Coimhéadach can mean watchful or cautious, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What noun and verb is 'coimhéadach' related to?
It comes from the verb 'coimhéad' (watch, guard) and the noun 'coimhéad' (watch, vigilance), as in 'bí ag coimhéad' (be on the lookout).
