Ways to say it
| Irish | IPA |
|---|---|
| dathúil | /ˈd̪ˠahuːlʲ/ (Cois Fharraige) /ˈd̪ˠauːlʲ/ (Cois Fharraige) |
| dóighiúil | /ˈd̪ˠɔːju(ː)lʲ/ (Ulster) |
| slachtmhar |
In Irish, several words can be used to describe being handsome or attractive. dathúil is the most versatile option, while deas and galánta can also serve as equivalent translations for handsome.
Which one should you use?
The words in the pack differ based on what specific quality you want to highlight. dathúil is the most common and versatile word, used for both people and things. dóighiúil focuses more on a person's charming or pleasant character and manner rather than just their physical appearance. slachtmhar is used to describe a man's appearance in terms of being neat, smart or well-groomed.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective dathúil is indeclinable, which means it does not change its form to match the gender or number of the noun it describes.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈd̪ˠahuːlʲ/
Did you know?
- The word dathúil is built from the word dath, which means 'color'. To call someone handsome in Irish is, quite literally, to call them 'colorful'.
- In Irish, the word deas is often used for 'handsome' but also means 'handy' or 'convenient' depending on the context.
- The adjective galánta can mean 'handsome' but is more closely aligned with the English word 'gallant', implying a sense of chivalry and elegance.
Examples in context
- Tá sé dathúil.He is handsome.
- Tá an fear sin an-dathúil.That man is very handsome.
- An bhfuil sé dathúil?Is he handsome?
- Is duine dathúil é.He is a handsome person.
Example conversation
Saoirse and Conor are talking about a man they saw at a cafe.
- SaoirseChonaic mé fear an-dathúil inniu.I saw a very handsome man today.
- ConorÓ, an raibh sé óg?Oh, was he young?
- SaoirseBa epsóid dathúil é.He was a handsome episode.
- ConorIs mór an t-uathas orm anois.I'm very jealous now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “handsome” translations and entries dathúil, dóighiúil, slachtmhar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dathúil, dóighiúil, slachtmhar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
