Scottish Gaelic, or Gàidhlig, is a Celtic language native to Scotland. While not as widely spoken as English in Scotland, it holds a significant place in Scottish heritage and culture. Learning Scottish Gaelic can deepen your appreciation for Scotland’s history and traditions. This lesson covers essential conversational phrases and questions in Scottish Gaelic to facilitate various social interactions.

Greetings

• Hello/Hi – “Halò” / “Hai”
• Good morning – “Madainn mhath” (mah-tin vah)
• Good afternoon – “Feasgar math” (fes-ker mah)
• Good evening – “Feasgar math” (used for both afternoon and evening)
• Goodbye – “Mar sin leat” (when staying) / “Mar sin leibh” (when leaving)

Introducing Yourself or Others

• My name is [name]. – “Is mise [name].” (is mee-shuh [name])
• This is [name]. – “Seo [name].” (shaw [name])
• I am from [country]. – “Tha mi à [country].” (ha mee ah [country])
• I live in [city/place]. – “Tha mi a’ fuireach ann an [city/place].” (ha mee ah foo-rach aun an [city/place])

Asking for Directions or People

• Where is the [place]? – “Càite a bheil [place]?” (kahtchuh vayl [place]?)
• How do I get to [place]? – “Ciamar a ràinig mi [place]?” (kimmer ah rah-nig mee [place]?)
• Is this the way to [place]? – “A bheil seo an rathad gu [place]?” (a vayl shaw an rah-had goo [place]?)
• Can you show me on the map? – “An urrainn dhut sealltainn dhomh air a’ mhapa?” (an oorin ghut shal-teen ghov air ah vah-pah?)

Solving a Misunderstanding

• Sorry, I don’t understand. – “Duilich, chan eil mi a’ tuigsinn.” (doolich, chan yale mee ah toog-shin)
• Can you please repeat that? – “An urrainn dhut sin ath-aithris?” (an oorin ghut shin ah-ah-rish?)
• I mean… – “Tha mi a’ ciallachadh…” (ha mee ah kee-ah-luch-ugh…)
• What does [word] mean? – “Dè tha [word] a’ ciallachadh?” (jay ha [word] ah kee-ah-luch-ugh?)

Farewell Expressions

• See you later – “Chì mi thu nas fhaide” (khee mee oo nas eye-duh)
• Take care – “Thoir cùram” (hore koor-um)
• Have a good day – “Latha math leat” (lah-ha mah let)

Travel and Dining

• I would like to book a room. – “Bu mhath leam seòmar a ghleidheadh.” (boo vah le-um shaw-mar ah gly-ugh)
• Can I see the menu, please? – “An urrainn dhomh am biadh-clàr fhaicinn, mas e do thoil e?” (an oorin ghov am bee-ah klahr fah-kin, mas eh doh heleh?)
• I am vegetarian. – “Tha mi nam vegetarian.” (ha mee nam veh-jeh-taree-an)
• The bill, please. – “An cunntas, mas e do thoil e.” (an coontas, mas eh doh heleh)

Shopping

• How much does this cost? – “Dè cho mòr ‘sa tha seo?” (jay khor mawr sa ha shaw?)
• Do you have this in another size? – “A bheil seo agaibh ann am meud eile?” (a vayl shaw ah-geev aun am mee-ud ella?)
• I’m just looking, thanks. – “Tha mi dìreach a’ coimhead, tapadh leat.” (ha mee jee-ruch ah koh-met, tah-puh let)
• Can I pay by card? – “An urrainn dhomh pàigheadh le cairt?” (an oorin ghov pah-geh leh karst?)

Dating and Love

• You look beautiful. (to a woman) / You look handsome. (to a man) – “Tha thu brèagha.” (ha oo brray-uh) / “Tha thu tarraingeach.” (ha oo tah-ring-uch)
• I miss you. – “Tha mi gad ionndrainn.” (ha mee gutch oon-droon)
• I love you. – “Tha gaol agam ort.” (ha gool ah-kum orsht)
• Would you like to go out with me? – “Am bu toigh leat a dhol a-mach còmhla rium?” (am boo toy let ah ghoul ah-mahch coe-la ree-um?)

Emergencies

• Help! – “Cobhair!” (koh-er!)
• Call the police! – “Cuir fios air na poilis!” (koor feesh air na poh-lish!)
• I need a doctor. – “Tha feum agam air dotair.” (ha foom ah-kum air doh-tar)
• Where is the nearest hospital? – “Càite a bheil an ospadal as fhaisge?” (kahtchuh vayl an os-pa-dal as fah-shguh?)

These phrases provide a foundation for basic communication in Scottish Gaelic. Practice speaking and listening regularly, engage with Gaelic media, and don’t hesitate to converse with native speakers. Remember, language learning is a journey—embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and continue to explore the rich linguistic and cultural nuances of Scottish Gaelic.