Irish

Alternative forms

• ro- (Cois Fharraige)

Prefix

ró-

1. (with adjective) too, overly
2. (with adjective) very (in a negative way)
3. (with verb) over-
4. (with noun) excessive

Usage notes

• This affix is used adverbially before adjectives to indicate excess; it is followed by a hyphen for words beginning with a vowel and triggers lenition in words beginning in a consonant:

  rómhilis‎ ― too sweet

  ró-ársa‎ ― too old

  róthirim‎ ― too dry

  róbheag‎ ― very small, too small

Derived terms

References

• “2 ro (‘very’)” in Dictionary of the Irish Language, Royal Irish Academy, 1913–76.
• “1 ró (‘too much’)” in Dictionary of the Irish Language, Royal Irish Academy, 1913–76.
• “ró-” in Foclóir Gaeḋilge agus Béarla, Irish Texts Society, 1927, by Patrick S. Dinneen.
• "ró-" in Foclóir Gaeilge-Béarla, An Gúm, 1977, by Niall Ó Dónaill.