HeyRuaHow to say “wavy” in Irish
- Irish:
- tonnúil
- English:
- wavy, billowy
- Word type:
- adjective
- Wavier:
- níos tonnúla
- Waviest:
- is tonnúla
- Plural:
- tonnúla
- Pronunciation:
- “TUN-ool” /ˈt̪ˠʊn̪ˠuːlʲ/
What does “tonnúil” mean?
“Tonnúil” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- wavy
- Having waves or curves, like wavy hair or a wavy line.Also: undulating, curly, rippled.
1 other meaning: billowy
- 2billowy
- Full of waves, of the sea or water.Also: billowing, choppy.
“Tonnúil” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is tonnúil after dromchla (surface, masculine), after farraige (sea, 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: farraige thonnúil. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: dromchla tonnúil.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, tonnúla. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: farraigí tonnúla.
Wavier, waviest, very wavy
Tá a cuid gruaige níos tonnúla ná mo chuidse. Her hair is wavier than mine.
| wavier | níos tonnúla | in the past tense: ní ba thonnúla |
|---|---|---|
| waviest | is tonnúla | in the past tense: ba thonnúla |
| as wavy as | chomh tonnúil le | no change after chomh |
| very wavy | an-tonnúil | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too wavy | róthonnúil | ró- lenites |
“Tonnúil” 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.
Wavy in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for wavy?
The Irish for wavy is tonnúil (pronounced “TUN-ool”). It comes after the noun: dromchla tonnúil, a wavy surface; farraige thonnúil, a wavy sea.
How do you say wavier and waviest in Irish?
níos tonnúla is wavier and is tonnúla is waviest. In the past tense they become ní ba thonnúla and ba thonnúla.
Why does tonnúil become thonnúil?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So farraige thonnúil (a wavy sea) but dromchla tonnúil (a wavy surface), because dromchla is masculine.
What is the plural of tonnúil?
With a plural noun tonnúil becomes tonnúla: dromchlaí tonnúla, farraigí tonnúla.
How do you say very wavy in Irish?
an-tonnúil. Too wavy is róthonnúil, and as wavy as is chomh tonnúil le.
Does tonnúil have more than one meaning?
Yes. Tonnúil can mean wavy or billowy, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'tonnúil' and 'catach'?
'Tonnúil' means wavy, with gentle waves, while 'catach' means curly, with tight curls: gruaig thonnúil is wavy hair, gruaig chatach is curly hair.
