dóbair
Irish
Alternative forms
- hóbair (Cois Fharraige)
Etymology
From the past tense d'fhóbair of fóbair (“to attack, approach, attempt”).[1]
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈd̪ˠoːbˠəɾʲ/
Adverb
dóbair
- almost (in the past tense); it almost happened
- Dóbair dom é a bhriseadh.
- I almost broke it.
- Dóbair gur bhris mé é.
- I almost broke it.
- Ba dhóbair dom é a bhriseadh.
- I almost broke it.
- Ba dhóbair gur bhris mé é.
- I almost broke it.
Usage notes
Followed by do (“to”) plus the subject plus a verbal noun or by a clause introduced by go (“that”); see usage examples above. Also appears after ba (past copula) as ba dhóbair as if it were a noun.
References
- “dóbair” in Foclóir Gaeḋilge agus Béarla, Irish Texts Society, 2nd ed., 1927, by Patrick S. Dinneen.
Further reading
- C. Marstrander, E. G. Quin et al., editors (1913–76), “fúabair, fóbair”, in Dictionary of the Irish Language: Based Mainly on Old and Middle Irish Materials, Dublin: Royal Irish Academy, →ISBN
- "dóbair" in Foclóir Gaeilge-Béarla, An Gúm, 1977, by Niall Ó Dónaill.