for impressing, intimidating, and annoying your
friends, family and pets
Here are a few phrases, mostly simple, some useful, some
a bit whimsical, to help you communicate in Scottish Gaelic.
Spoken Scottish Gaelic, unlike spoken English, flows seamlessly
from word to word. Practice saying the whole phrase as if it were
all one word, with no breaks in it.
Remember that "ch" always sounds like "Bach" or "Loch." And always roll your "R"'s -- though not all over the place, like Groundskeeper Willie on "The Simpsons" -- more as a simple popped "R" sound.
And keep in mind that no pronunciation guide can adequately convey
the unique sound of spoken Scottish Gaelic -- anyone interested in
an authentic sound should consider trying one of the instructional
self-study courses including videotapes and/or audiotapes, to be
found on the SGLABA Books page.
Na h-Abairtean (the Phrases)
"Dè an t-ainm a tha oirbh?" (Jeh un TAH-num uh HAW-ruv?)
What's your name?
"'S mise.....(insert your name)." (SMIH-shuh...)
"My name is..."
"Ciamar a tha sibh?" (KIM-mer uh HAH shiv?) "How are you?"
"Bu toigh leam bracaist a ghabhail." (Boo tuh LUH-oom
BRAH-kawsht uh GAH-ull) "I would like to have breakfast."
"Càit a bheil an taigh beag?" (KAHTCH uh vehl un tye bek?)
"Where's the bathroom?"
"An toir thu dhomh pòg?" (Un TUH-r oo ghawnh pawk?)
"Will you give me a kiss?"
"Cha toir, ach bheir mi dhut sgailc!" (Chah TUH-r,
ach vehr mee ghoot skahlk!) "No, but I'll slap you!"
"Slàinte mhòr agad!" (SLAHN-tchuh VORR AH-kut!)
"Great health to you!" ("Cheers!")
"Nach i tha teth an-diugh?" (nahch ee hah TCHEH un-DJOO?)
"Isn't it hot today? (It's hot today.)"
"Bha e brèagha an-de." (Vah eh BREE-uh un-DJEH)
"It was beautiful yesterday."
"Cò an caora sin còmhla riut a chunnaic mi an-raoir?"
(Kaw uhn KEU-ra shin KAW-la root uh CHOO-nik mee uhn-royer?)
"Who was that sheep I saw you with last night?"
"Cha b'e sin caora, 'se sin mo chèile a bha innte!"
(Chah beh shin KEU-ra, sheh shin moe CHYEH-luh uh vah EEN-tchuh!)
"That was no sheep, that was my spouse!"
"Tha gaol agam ort." (Hah GEUL AH-kum orsht) "I love you."
"Tha gaol agam ort-fhèin." (Hah GEUL AH-kum orsht-HEH-een)
"I love you too."
"Chan eil fhios agam." (CHAHN-yel iss AH-kum)
"I don't know."
"Dè tha thu ag iarraidh?" (jeh HAH oo ug EE-uh-ree)
"What do you want?"
"Tha mi ag iarraidh briosgaid!" (hah mi ug-EE-uh-ree
BRISS-kahtch) "I want a cookie!"
"'S toigh leam briosgaidean gu mòr!" (STUH LUH-oom
BRISS-kaht-chun goo MAWR) "I like cookies -- a lot!"
"A bheil Gàidhlig agaibh?" (uh vil GAH-lik AH-kiv)
"Do you speak Gaelic?"
"Tha, beagan." (hah, BECK-un) "Yes, a little."
"Dè thuirt thu?" (jeh HOORSHT oo) "What did you say?"
"Can a-rithist sin?" (kahn uh-REE-isht shin)
"Say that again?"
"Chan eil mi a' tuigsinn." (chan-yel mi uh-TOOK-shin)
"I don't understand."
"Tha mi duilich." (hah mee DOOH-lich) "I'm sorry."
"Gabhaibh mo leisgeul." (GAHV-iv moe LESH-kul) "Excuse me."
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