#4.1 The Attributive Adjective
#4.1.1
The adjectives are divided into three declensions.
#4.1.2
The adjective is only declined when it is used as an attributive adjective.
#4.1.3
The form of the attributive adjective depends on gender, case and number of the noun that it is qualifying and on the declension of the adjective itself. See Chapter 9 for rules on using adjectives with numbers.
#4.2 Gender, Case and Number of the Attributive Adjective
#4.2.1
The qualifying adjective agrees with the noun in gender, case and number. When there is a series of nouns, the adjective agrees with the final noun, e.g., mná agus fir ghnaíúla; peann, páipéar agus bileog ghorm (EN: blue pen, paper and sheet). When a series of adjectives follows a single noun, every adjective agrees with the noun, e.g., ailt shuimiúla thábhachtacha fhada (EN: interesting, important, long articles).
| Tháinig na mná agus na fir ghnaíúla isteach. | The lovely women and men came in. |
| Tháinig na fir agus na mná gnaíúla isteach. | The lovely men and women came in. |
| Bhí sciorta, cóta agus scaif ghorm uirthi. | She had a blue skirt, coat and scarf on. |
| Tá cait mhóra fhiáine i ngairdín na n‑ainmhithe. | There are big, wild cats in the zoo. |
#4.2.2
In the singular —
when there is a masculine noun, the adjective that qualifies it is not lenited, e.g., an fear beag (EN: the small man); ag an bhfear beag (EN: at the small man); except in the vocative case and in the genitive case e.g., a fhir bhig (EN: O small man); hata an fhir bhig (EN: the hat of the small man).
if the Lenition System (see 1.7) is in use, the adjective that qualifies the masculine noun is lenited in the dative case if the article goes with that noun, e.g., ag an fhear bheag (EN: at the small man).
In the singular, when there is a feminine noun, the adjective that qualifies it is lenited in all the cases, e.g., an bhean bheag (EN: the small woman); a bhean bheag (EN: O small woman); ag an mbean bheag (EN: at the small woman); except in the genitive case, e.g., hata na mná bige (EN: the hat of the small woman).
#4.2.3
Chapter 9 provides an illustration of the attributive adjective when a number precedes the noun being qualified.
#4.2.4 Lenition of an Attributive Adjective in the Singular
An adjective is either left bare or inflected based on the gender and case of the noun it is qualifying. The contexts are shown in the table below. See the discussion of adjective declension (4.3) for information on form change (other than lenition) of the adjective itself.
| The Case | Singular Masculine Noun | Singular Feminine Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative and Accusative | no lenition an fear beag | lenition an bhean bheag |
| Vocative | lenition a fhir bhig | lenition a bhean bheag |
| Dative* | no lenition ar an bhfear beag | lenition ar an mbean bheag |
| Genitive | lenition clann an fhir bhig | no lenition clann na mná bige |
*But see 1.7 The Lenition System
#4.2.5 Lenition of Attributive Adjective in the Plural
In the plural, the initial consonant of the adjective is lenited if the plural noun starts with a slender consonant, as in the table below (see also 10.3.1).
| Lenition | Without Lenition |
|---|---|
| Noun that starts with a slender consonant in the plural | Noun that starts with a broad consonant or vowel in the plural |
| na báid fhada | na cailíní cliste |
| na costais shonracha | na doirse móra |
| na foirgnimh bhreátha | na páirceanna móra |
| na fir bheaga | na táilliúirí costasacha |
| na goirt mhóra | clanna na mban cáiliúil |
| na héisc gheala | clanna na bhfear beag |
| na húdair cháiliúla | éifeacht na bhforálacha forlíontacha |
| na nóiméid dheireanacha | méid na bhfuinneog cearnach |
| na pinn ghorma | obair na ngaibhne dubha |
| na sparáin theanna | seirbhísí na leabharlann poiblí |
#4.3 Declensions of the Adjectives
#4.3.1
The form of the adjective is the same in the nominative, accusative and dative singular cases, and the form of the adjective is the same in the nominative, accusative and dative plural cases.
#4.3.2
In the genitive plural case —
if the noun is a strong plural, the same form of the adjective is used as is used in the nominative plural case:
Nominative plural Is maith liom na filí móra. I like the great poets. Genitive plural Is maith liom dánta na bhfilí móra. I like the great poems of the poets. if the noun is a weak plural, the same form of adjective is used as is used in the nominative singular case:
Nominative singular Foilsíonn an t‑údarás áitiúil tuarascáil gach bliain. The local authority publishes a report every year. Genitive plural Foilsíodh tuarascálacha na n‑údarás áitiúil. The reports of the local authorities were published.
#4.3.3
An adjective in the masculine vocative is not lenited or inflected if it is a nickname or metaphorical in meaning.
Cén chaoi a bhfuil tú, a athair beag? How are you, little father? A dheartháir dílis, bhí a fhios agam go maith gur tú a bhí ann. Faithful brother, I knew very well it was you. A bhéal cumhra, nach muid a bheidh sásta le chéile. Fragrant mouth, we won’t be happy together. Conas atá tú, a mhac bán? How are you, white son? The initial letter of an adjective is lenited, however, if a feminine noun precedes it.
Cad é mar atá tú inniu, a thaisce mhilis? How are you today, my sweet treasure? A mháthair bheag, ní bheidh deireadh go deo le do chuid oibre. Little mother, your work will never end.
#4.3.4
The adjective following a female baptismal name is not inflected, e.g., Máire Mhór (EN: Big Mary), teach Mháire Mhór (EN: Big Mary’s house).
#4.3.5
The adjective is neither inflected nor does it undergo an initial mutation after adverbs or adjectives used as adverbs such as cuibheasach (EN: fairly), sách (EN: quite), measartha (EN: moderately), réasúnta (EN: relatively), etc.
| Is bean measartha saibhir í. | She is a moderately wealthy woman. |
| Mná measartha saibhir is ea iad. | They are moderately wealthy women. |
| Fir sách ard is ea iad. | They are quite tall men. |
| Páistí réasúnta ciúin is ea iad. | They are relatively quiet children. |
| Maidin sách fuar a bhí ann. | It was a rather cold morning. |
| Bliain cuibheasach tirim atá uainn. | We want a fairly dry year. |
#4.3.6
The adjective is not inflected after the emphatic particle an-.
| Is daoine an-bhreá iad. | They are very nice people. |
| Déanfar na gnéithe an-tábhachtach sin a mheas. | Those very important aspects will be considered. |
| Ní páistí an-chiúin iad. | They are not very quiet children. |
#4.3.7
The adjective is neither inflected nor lenited if it is part of a multi-word adjectival phrase, e.g., athnuachan saor in aisce (EN: free renewal); tuarascáil cothrom le dáta (EN: up-to-date report).
| Is bean mór le rá í i réimse na heolaíochta. | She is a prominent woman in the field of science. |
| Ba é údar na tuarascála cothrom le dáta a thug an cur i láthair. | The author of the up-to-date report gave the presentation. |
#4.3.8
The form of the singular genitive is described under each separate declension.
#4.4 The First Declension
Included in this declension are adjectives ending with a consonant, broad or slender, aside from adjectives ending with -úil and certain adjectives ending with -ir (see 4.5).
#4.4.1 Form of the Genitive Singular
Masculine
If the adjective ends with a broad consonant, the consonant is palatalized as it would be done with a noun in the First Declension (see 2.2.2).
Cár fhág sé hata an fhir mhóir? Where did he leave the big man’s hat? Caithfear coinníollacha an chonartha bhuain a léamh go cúramach. The terms of the permanent contract must be read carefully. Léigh sé leabhar an imreora chlúitigh nuair a foilsíodh é. He read the renowned player’s book when it was published. Inflection is not done in the genitive singular masculine on monosyllabic adjectives ending in -ch(t) (except bocht), e.g., beacht (EN: exact), caoch (EN: blind), déach (EN: dual), fliuch (EN: wet), lách (EN: pleasant), moch (EN: early), nocht (EN: naked).
Bhí orthu an fhéile a chur ar siúl ag deireadh an tsamhraidh fhliuch. They had to hold the festival at the end of the wet summer. Tá na páistí i rang an mhúinteora bheacht i mbliana. The children are in the teacher’s class exactly this year. Goideadh ba an fheirmeora bhoicht. The poor farmer’s cows were stolen. If a slender consonant or -íoch is the ending of the adjective, it is not inflected.
Ba mhaith liom labhairt le tuismitheoirí an bhuachalla chiúin. I would like to speak to the parents of the quiet boy. Bhí gach duine i bhfabhar an fheachtais thionsclaíoch. Everyone was in favor of the industrial campaign. Inflection is not done in the genitive singular masculine on monosyllabic adjectives ending in double consonants (except dall (EN: blind), donn (EN: brown), fionn (EN: fair)), e.g., cearr (EN: wrong), corr (EN: odd), gann (EN: scarce), gearr (EN: short), mall (EN: slow), teann (EN: tight), toll (EN: hollow).
Tá praghas an bhia ghann ag ardú gach lá. The price of scarce food is rising every day. Chuir costas an turais ghearr iontas orthu. The cost of the short trip surprised them. Bhí boladh an aráin dhoinn ar fud an tí. The smell of brown bread was all over the house. Inflection is not done in the genitive singular masculine in these following monosyllabic adjectives: amh (EN: raw), cúng (EN: narrow), deas (meaning cineálta (EN: kind/nice)), leamh (EN: weak), mear (EN: quick), seang (EN: slim), searbh (EN: bitter/sour), tearc (EN: rare), tiubh (EN: thick), trom (EN: heavy), tur (EN: dry).
Chuir sí ola ar dhoras an bhealaigh chúng. She put oil on the door of the narrow way. Labhair mé le húinéir an chapaill mhear. I spoke to the owner of the fast horse.
Feminine
-e is put with the final consonant, and it is palatalized if broad, e.g., gorm, goirme; maith, maithe as would be done with nouns in the Second Declension (see 2.3.2).
Féach ar áilleacht na spéire goirme. Look at the beauty of the blue sky. Cé hé údar na tuarascála maithe? Who is the author of the good report? When adjectives end with -(e)ach, -(a)í replaces -(e)ach, e.g., isteach, aistí; iontach, iontaí; as would be done with nouns in the Second Declension (see 2.3.2).
Tá guth na caillí aistí le cloisteáil ar an taifead. The voice of the peculiar old woman can be heard on the record. Thaitin téama na haiste iontaí liom. I liked the theme of the wonderful composition. When adjectives end with -íoch, -íoch is changed to -íche, e.g., eacnamaíoch, eacnamaíche.
Cathain a bhraithfimid deireadh na géarchéime eacnamaíche? When will we feel the end of the economic crisis? Is maith an rud é fás na hearnála tionsclaíche. The growth of the industrial sector is a good thing. See Chapter 2 for a comprehensive description of vowel changes.
#4.4.2 Form of the Vocative Singular
The form of the vocative singular is the same as the nominative singular, except when adjectives whose final consonant is palatalized in the masculine genitive singular. With such adjectives, the form of the masculine vocative singular is usually the same as the form of the masculine genitive singular, e.g., a fhir mhóir; cóta an fhir mhóir.
#4.4.3 Form of the Plural — Every Case
-a is added to adjectives ending in a broad consonant and -e to adjectives ending in a slender consonant and some adjectives are syncopated (but see weak plurals in the genitive plural, 4.3.2(b)).
| Cá bhfuil na peileadóirí clúiteacha? | Where are the famous footballers? |
| Foilseofar na haistí maithe san iris bhliantúil. | The good essays will be published in the annual magazine. |
| Bhí na daoine uaisle i láthair inné. | The noble persons were present yesterday. |
#4.4.4 Syncopation in the Singular and in the Plural
The adjectives in the following table, among others, are syncopated in the feminine genitive singular case and in the plural in each case, but the forms in brackets are not syncopated.
| Nominative Singular | Genitive Feminine Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| álainn | áille | áille |
| aoibhinn | aoibhne | aoibhne |
| bodhar | (bodhaire) | bodhra |
| daibhir | daibhre | daibhre |
| daingean | daingne | daingne |
| deimhin | deimhne | deimhne |
| dílis | dílse | dílse |
| doilbhir | doilbhre | doilbhre |
| domhain | doimhne | doimhne |
| folamh | foilmhe | folmha |
| íseal | ísle | ísle |
| láidir | láidre | láidre |
| milis | milse | milse |
| ramhar | raimhre | ramhra |
| righin | righne | righne |
| saibhir | saibhre | saibhre |
| sleamhain | (sleamhaine) | sleamhna |
| soilbhir | soilbhre | soilbhre |
| uasal | uaisle | uaisle |
#4.5 The Second Declension
This declension includes adjectives that end in -úil, as well as some adjectives that end in -ir, e.g., óir, díacair, socair.
#4.5.1 Form of the Genitive Singular
Masculine
Adjectives of this declension do not undergo any inflection.
Cá bhfuil athair an fhir chóir? Where is the father of the just man? Léigh mé tús an leabhair shuimiúil. I read the start of the interesting book. Feminine
The final consonant is broadened and -a is added.
Cá bhfuil athair na mná cáiliúla? Where is the father of the famous woman? Léigh mé tús na haiste deacra. I read the start of the difficult essay.
#4.5.2 Form of the Plural — Every Case
The final consonant is broadened and -a is added as in the feminine genitive singular (but see genitive plurals, 4.3.2(b)).
Cá bhfuil na fir cháiliúla agus na mná dathúla? Where are the famous men and the beautiful women? Léigh mé na dánta suimiúla inné. I read the interesting poems yesterday. deacair (EN: difficult), deacra (EN: difficult); socair (EN: calm), socra (EN: calm) are syncopated in the genitive singular and in the plural.
#4.6 The Third Declension
#4.6.1
This declension includes adjectives that end in a vowel, e.g., cliste, cróga.
#4.6.2
Only two adjectives are inflected in this declension: breá and te. breá changes to breátha in the feminine genitive singular and plural and te changes to teo in the plural (but see weak plurals in the genitive plural, 4.3.2(b)).
| Nominative singular | Tine bhreá the a bhí ann. | It was a lovely, hot fire. |
| Genitive singular | Dath na tine breátha te. | The color of the lovely, hot fire. |
| Nominative plural | Lasadh na tinte breátha teo. | The lovely, hot fires were lit. |
#4.7 Summary of the Adjectives’ Declensions
| Masculine Singular Noun | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Case | The First Declension | The Second Declension | The Third Declension |
| Nominative | an fear beag | an fear misniúil | an cóta buí |
| an peileadóir clúiteach | an duine cóir | an garda cróga | |
| an buachaill ciúin | an t‑óstóir flaithiúil | an duine cuí | |
| Vocative | a fhir bhig | a fhir mhisniúil | a gharda chróga |
| a pheileadóir chlúiteach | a dhuine chóir | a dhuine chuí | |
| a bhuachaill chiúin | a t‑óstóir fhlaithiúil | a fhear chliste | |
| Dative* | ag an bhfear beag | don fhear misniúil | ar an gcóta buí |
| don pheileadóir clúiteach | chuig an duine cóir | ag an ngarda cróga | |
| leis an mbuachaill ciúin | ón óstóir flaithiúil | leis an duine cuí | |
| Genitive | caipín an fhir bhig | eachtra an fhir mhisniúil | úinéir an chóta bhuí |
| ainm an pheileadóra chlúitigh | clann an duine chóir | thar ceann an duine chuí | |
| rang an bhuachalla chiúin | comhairle an óstóra fhlaithiúil | guth an gharda chróga | |
*But see 1.7 The Lenition System
| Feminine Singular Noun | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Case | The First Declension | The Second Declension | The Third Declension |
| Nominative | an bhean bheag | an bhean ghairmiúil | an éide ghalánta |
| an bhó álainn | an tuairisc mhíosúil | an aiste ghonta | |
| an mháthair imníoch | an aiste dheacair | an mhí fhada | |
| Vocative | a bhean bheag | a bhean ghairmiúil | a bhean chróga |
| a aintín álainn | a aintín fhlaithiúil | a aintín ghalánta | |
| a mháthair imníoch | a mháthair chóir | a mháthair chróga | |
| Dative | don bhean bheag | don bhean ghairmiúil | ar an éide ghalánta |
| ag an aintín álainn | sa tuairisc mhíosúil | san aiste ghonta | |
| leis an máthair imníoch | san aiste dheacair | den mhí fhada | |
| Genitive | teach na mná bige | maoin na mná gairmiúla | luach na héide galánta |
| peata na máthar imníche | fad na tuairisce mhíosúla | údar na haiste gonta | |
| ceol na haintín áille | teideal na haiste deacra | deireadh na míosa fada | |
| Masculine Plural Noun | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Case | The First Declension | The Second Declension | The Third Declension |
| Nominative | na fir bheaga | na leabhair shuimiúla | na cótaí buí |
| na peileadóirí clúiteacha | na daoine córa | na daoine cuí | |
| na buachaillí ciúine | na páistí flaithiúla | na gardaí cróga | |
| Vocative | a fheara beaga | a fheara misniúla | a dhaoine cuí |
| a pheileadóirí clúiteacha | a dhaoine córa | a fheara cliste | |
| a bhuachaillí ciúine | a pháistí flaithiúla | a ghardaí cróga | |
| Dative | ar na fir bheaga | do na fir mhisniúla | ar na cótaí buí |
| na peileadóirí clúiteacha | leis na daoine córa | leis na daoine cuí | |
| leis na buachaillí ciúine | ó na páistí flaithiúla | do na gardaí cróga | |
| Genitive | caipíní na bhfear beag | bás na bhfear misniúil | úinéirí na gcótaí buí |
| bróga na bpeileadóirí clúiteacha | clann na ndaoine córa | ar son na ndaoine cuí | |
| rang na mbuachaillí ciúine | airgead na bpáistí flaithiúla | hataí na ngardaí cróga | |
| Feminine Plural Noun | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Case | The First Declension | The Second Declension | The Third Declension |
| Nominative | na mná beaga | na mná gairmiúla | na héidí galánta |
| na haintíní áille | na haintíní córa | na haistí gonta | |
| na máithreacha imníocha | na hiníonacha flaithiúla | na míonna fada | |
| Vocative | a mhná beaga | a mhná gairmiúla | a mhná galánta |
| a aintíní áille | a aintíní córa | a iníonacha cróga | |
| a mháithreacha imníocha | a iníonacha flaithiúla | a aintíní cliste | |
| Dative | do na mná beaga | do na mná gairmiúla | leis na héidí galánta |
| ag na haintíní áille | leis na haintíní córa | sna haistí gonta | |
| leis na máithreacha imníocha | ó na hiníonacha flaithiúla | de na míonna fada | |
| Genitive | teach na mban beag | pá na mban gairmiúil | luach na n‑éidí galánta |
| ceol na n‑aintíní áille | clann na n‑aintíní córa | údair na n‑aistí gonta | |
| deifir na máithreacha imníocha | airgead na n‑iníonacha flaithiúla | tús na míonna fada | |
#4.8 Degrees of Comparison of the Adjectives
#4.8.1
The form of the comparative degree and superlative forms of adjectives is usually the same as the feminine genitive singular, e.g., ard, airde; breá, breátha; cóir, córa; dathúil, dathúla; diacair, diacra; diríct, diríct.
Faigh an luach is airde air. Get the highest value on it. Is í Ciara an cailín is dathúla sa rang. Ciara is the most beautiful girl in the class. An rud is deacra faoin bhfilíocht, a léamh mar is cóir. The hardest thing about poetry is reading it properly. The form for the comparative degree and superlative forms of adjectives is also the same as for the feminine genitive singular for adjectives ending in -íoch, e.g., buíoch, buíche; débhríoch, débhríche; imníoch, imníche; impíoch, impíche; taithíoch, taithíche; uathoibríoch, uathoibríche.
Is iadsan na daoine is imníche sa tír. They are the most concerned people in the country. Is eisean is taithíche ar an obair seo. He is the most experienced at this work. Cuirfear an córas is uathoibríche i bhfeidhm. The most automated system will be put in place.
#4.8.2
Some adjectives have irregular forms, e.g.,beag, lú (EN: small, smaller)dócha, dóichí (EN: likely, more likely)fada, faide (sia) (EN: long, longer)fogas, foisce (EN: near, nearer)furasta, fusa (EN: easy, easier)gearr, giorra (EN: short, shorter)iomaí, lia (EN: many, more)maith, fearr (EN: good, better)mór, mó (EN: big, bigger)olc, measa (EN: bad, worse)te, teo (EN: hot, hotter).
| Is é Rónán an duine is fearr sa rang. | Rónán is the best person in the class. |
| Is í an chuimhne is faide (is sia) siar i mo cheann í. | It is the longest memory (earliest) in my head. |
| Cé acu ceann is mó? | Which one is biggest? |
#4.8.3 Forms following dá and a
After dá (EN: however) and a (EN: how), regardless of whether they have a proleptic or anaphoric function, a form that is the same as the comparative form of the adjective or a form that derives from the comparative or the base form and ends in -cht is usually used.
Only one form is used for the following adjectives: dócha, dóichí (EN: likely); dona, donacht (EN: bad); furasta, fusacht (EN: easy); gearr, giorracht (EN: short); and for these irregular forms: beag, laghad (EN: small); fada, fad (EN: long); iomaí, liacht (EN: many); maith, feabhas (EN: good); mór, méad/méid (EN: big); olc, olcas (EN: bad); tiubh, tiús (EN: thick).
méid is used instead of méad in certain contexts, e.g., dá mhéad airgead a bhí aici but a mhéid is indéanta le réasún; a mhéid is gá.
| B’aoibhinn liom a áille (a bhinne, a chruinne, a líofa, a réidhe, a shoiléire) a labhair sí. | I loved how beautifully (how sweetly, how accurately, how fluently, how smoothly, how clearly) she spoke. |
| Ní chreidfeá a achrannaí (a dhonacht, a olcas, a shleamhaine, a uaigní) a bhí an áit. | You wouldn’t believe how difficult (how wretched, how bad, how slippery, how lonely) the place was. |
| Fuair sé ardmholadh trína fheabhas a rinne sé an obair. | He received high praise because of how well he did the job. |
| Dá chríonna (dá chróga, dá fheabhas, dá ghlice, dá oilte) é, níor éirigh an gnó leis. | However wise (how brave, how good, how clever, how skilled) he was, the business didn’t work out for him. |
| Dá dhonacht (dá ghránna, dá leisciúla, dá olcas, dá shuaraí) é, caithfear glacadh leis. | However bad (how ugly, how lazy, how bad, how annoying) he was, you have to accept it. |
| Dá mhéad dúil a bhí aici ann, níor cheannaigh sí sa deireadh é. | However much she wanted him, she didn’t buy him in the end. |
#4.9 The Possessive Adjective
Because the possessive adjectives, mo (EN: my), do (EN: your), a (masculine and feminine singular) (EN: his/her), ár (EN: our), bhur (EN: your), and a (plural) (EN: their) function as pronominals in the genitive, they are discussed in Chapter 8.
#4.10 The Demonstrative Adjective
The demonstrative adjectives are seo (EN: this), sin (EN: that), siúd (EN: that over there) and úd (EN: that over there). (Although seo, sin and siúd are demonstrative pronominals, they are often referred to as demonstrative adjectives.)
| Tá an fear seo tinn. | This man is sick. |
| Beidh an buachaill seo ag teacht liom. | This boy will be coming with me. |
| Is liomsa iad seo. | These are with me. |
| Níl an doras sin dúnta. | That door is not closed. |
| Síle is ainm don chailín sin. | That girl’s name is Síle. |
| Díoladh a theach siúd inné. | That house was sold yesterday. |
| Is aige siúd a bhí an t‑airgead. | He was the one that had the money. |
| An bhfeiceann tú an pháirc úd thall? | Do you see that field over there? |
#4.11 The Predicative Adjective
An predicative adjective is an adjective that qualifies the noun as predicate or as part of a predicate, e.g., Nach deas é? (EN: Isn’t it nice?) ; Tá an aimsir fuar (EN: The weather is cold). The predicative adjective is not inflected or lenited.
| Bhí an traein folamh. | The train was empty. |
| Bíonn na busanna déanach. | The buses are usually late. |
| An bhfuil an bhean sin saibhir? | Is that woman rich? |
| Beidh an bhainis sin mór. | That wedding will be big. |
#4.12 The Verbal Adjective
#4.12.1
The verbal adjective functions as a regular adjective. The verbal adjective is used —
as a qualifying adjective, e.g., Is bean phósta í (EN: She is a married woman);
as a predicative adjective following the copula, e.g., Ní briste atá sé (EN: It is not broken);
as a predicative adjective following the verb bí indicating the state of the object after the action, e.g., Is í atá tugtha don obair (EN: It is what has been given to the work);
as a predicative adjective following the verb bí indicating the state of the agent after the action, e.g., Táimid beirthe go maith leis an socrú sin (EN: We have succeeded well with that arrangement).