Mo gaidhlig article – A beginner’s guide to Gaelic
Reporter Matthew Wright has written up a beginner’s guide to Gaelic, especially for Garnock Newsdesk. He’s also included a Gaelic song at the end of the article for you to enjoy (complete with lyrics!)
General Phrases
Gaelic | English | Phonetic |
Halò | Hello | haa-lo |
Fàilte | Welcome | faaltshæ |
Madainn mhath | Good morning | matin vah |
Latha math | Good day/It’s a nice day | laah mah |
Feasgar math | Good afternoon,evening | fesker mah |
Oidhche mhath | Good night! | oychæ vah |
Gabh mo leisgeul | Excuse me | gav mo leshkæl |
Tha mi duilich | I am sorry | haa mee doolich |
Tapadh leibh | Thank you | taphæ leyv |
Mòran taing | Many thanks | mohræn tigh-ng |
‘Se ur beatha | You’re welcome | shey oor behah |
Glè mhath! | Very good! | glay vaa |
Questions & Responses
De man a tha sibh? | How are you? (polite/plural) | jey mun a haa sheev |
Ciamar a tha thu | How are you? (informal) | keemar æ haa oo |
Tha gu math, tapadh leibh | Very well, thank you | haa goo mah tahpæ leyv |
Chan eil dona | Not bad | chan yeyll donnæ |
Tha mi sgìth | I’m tired | haa mee skee |
Tha mi sgìth | What is your name? | Jey æn tenyæm æ horæv |
Is mise… | My name is… | Iss meeshæ… |
Weather
Tha e fliuch | It is raining | haa eh flyooch |
Tha e tioram | It is dry | haa eh tshirræm |
Tha e blàth | It is warm | haa eh blaah |
Tha e fuar | It is cold | haa eh fooær |
Countries and Places
Alba | Scotland |
Sasann | England |
A’ Chuimrigh | Wales |
Èirinn | Ireland |
Spainn | Spain |
A’ Ghearmailt | Germany |
An Fhraing | France |
Glaschu | Glasgow |
Dùn Èideann | Edinburgh |
Obar Dheathain | Aberdeen |
If you’d like to hear how to say any of these words or phrases, head to: https://learngaelic.net/
Gaelic Song
Crodh-laoigh nam bodach
Crodh-laoigh nam bodach
Crodh-laoigh nam bodach
Gan togail ri gleann.
Crodh-laoigh nam bodach
Crodh-laoigh nam bodach
Crodh-laoigh nam bodach
Gan togail ri gleann.
Crodh-laoigh nam bodach
Gun feur, gun fodar
Crodh-laoigh nam bodach
Gan togail ri gleann.
Crodh-laoigh nam bodach
Gun feur, gun fodar
Crodh-laoigh nam bodach
Gan togail ri gleann.
Ma tha, ma thogair
Ma tha, ma thogair
Ma tha, ma thogair
Chan eil mo chrodh ann.
Ma tha, ma thogair
Ma tha, ma thogair
Ma tha, ma thogair
Chan eil mo chrodh ann.
Crodh-laoigh nam bodach
Crodh-laoigh nam bodach
Crodh-laoigh nam bodach
Gan togail ri gleann.
Head to YouTube to hear it sung: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNdutkHdiCE
By Matthew Wright