HeyRuaHow to say “willing” in Irish
- Irish:
- toilteanach
- English:
- willing, voluntary
- Word type:
- adjective
- More willing:
- níos toilteanaí
- Most willing:
- is toilteanaí
- Plural:
- toilteanacha
- Pronunciation:
- “TIL-chan-akh” /ˈt̪ˠɪlʲtʲənˠəx/
What does “toilteanach” mean?
“Toilteanach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- willing
- Ready and happy to do something when asked.Also: ready, prepared, agreeable, eager.
1 other meaning: voluntary
- 2voluntary
- Done by choice, without being forced.Also: willing, unforced, of one's own accord.
Other Irish adjectives for willing: deonach (voluntary)
“Toilteanach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is toilteanach after cúntóir (assistant, masculine), after banaltra (nurse, 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: banaltra thoilteanach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: cúntóir toilteanach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, toilteanacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: banaltraí toilteanacha.
More willing, most willing, very willing
Tá sé níos toilteanaí ná a dheartháir cabhrú. He is more willing to help than his brother.
| more willing | níos toilteanaí | in the past tense: ní ba thoilteanaí |
|---|---|---|
| most willing | is toilteanaí | in the past tense: ba thoilteanaí |
| as willing as | chomh toilteanach le | no change after chomh |
| very willing | an-toilteanach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too willing | róthoilteanach | ró- lenites |
“Toilteanach” 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.
Willing in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for willing?
The Irish for willing is toilteanach (pronounced “TIL-chan-akh”). It comes after the noun: cúntóir toilteanach, a willing assistant; banaltra thoilteanach, a willing nurse.
How do you say more willing and most willing in Irish?
níos toilteanaí is more willing and is toilteanaí is most willing. In the past tense they become ní ba thoilteanaí and ba thoilteanaí.
Why does toilteanach become thoilteanach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So banaltra thoilteanach (a willing nurse) but cúntóir toilteanach (a willing assistant), because cúntóir is masculine.
What is the plural of toilteanach?
With a plural noun toilteanach becomes toilteanacha: cúntóirí toilteanacha, banaltraí toilteanacha.
How do you say very willing in Irish?
an-toilteanach. Too willing is róthoilteanach, and as willing as is chomh toilteanach le.
Does toilteanach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Toilteanach can mean willing or voluntary, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'toilteanach' and 'deonach'?
'Toilteanach' describes a person who is willing, as in 'Tá sé toilteanach cabhrú'. 'Deonach' usually describes something voluntary, as in 'obair dheonach' (voluntary work).
How do I say someone is willing to do something?
Use 'toilteanach' followed by the verbal noun, as in 'Tá mé toilteanach fanacht' (I am willing to wait).
