Scottish Gaelic, or Gàidhlig, is spoken by around 1.2% of Scotland, as well as parts of Nova Scotia, Canada. It belongs to the Goidelic branch in the Celtic language family, alongside Irish and Manx.

Gaelic speakers are usually very happy to speak English to visitors, and all essential business can readily be done in English. Studying Gaelic may increase your enjoyment of a visit to the Scottish Highlands and Hebrides, but is not necessary to get around.

Pronunciation guide

Try and stress the first syllable on every word. Scottish Gaelic pronunciation is known for completely omitting letters, eg. "Chaidh" is pronounced as "Hy". Note that a "T" sounds like a "Ch", a "Bh" sounds like a "V" and a "Dh" sounds like a hard "K".

Vowels

a- like father

ai- like aisle

aw- like saw

e- like red

ee- like see

eh- like bear

er- like her

i- like bin

oh- like note

oo- like moon

ow- like cow

oy- like toy

uh- like ago

Consonants

b- like bed

ch- like cheese

d- like dog

f- like fun

g- like game

gh- halfway between "g" and "kh"

h- like hat

j- ike jump

k- like cat

kh- like the "ch" in loch

l- like laugh

m- like more

n- like naughty

ng- like sing

p- like pen

r- rolled, as in Spanish

s- like said

sh- like the "c" in ocean

t- like turn

v- like van

w- like win

y- like yes

Phrase list

Basics

Common signs ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND WELCOMES Ceud Mìle Fàilte OPEN CLOSED ENTRANCE EXIT PUSH PULL TOILET Goiresan MEN Fir WOMEN Mnathan FORBIDDEN

Hello.

Hàlo. ( )

How are you?

Ciamar a tha thu? ( ?)

Fine, thank you.

Chan eil dona. ( )

What is your name?

Dè an t-ainm a tha ort? ( ?)

My name is ______ .

Is mise ______ . ( _____ .)

Nice to meet you.

'S toil leam gur ceannaich. ( )

Please.

(Gaelic has no indigenous expression for please and instead uses other ways of expressing politeness such as indirect questions, the use of sibh and thu and so on)

Thank you.

Taing. OR Tapadh leibh. ( )

You're welcome.

'S e ur beatha. ( )

Yes.

(Gaelic has no words for "yes" and "no", and replies are made with the relevant verbs. For questions beginning with "a bheil?", the appropriate word for "yes" is "tha". An alternative is "seadh", which means "yeah" or "uh-huh")

No.

(Gaelic has no words for "yes" and "no", and replies are made with the relevant verbs. For questions beginning with "a bheil?", the appropriate word for "no" is "chan eil")

Excuse me. (getting attention)

Gabh mo leisgeul. ( )

Excuse me. (begging pardon)

Gabhaibh mo leisgeul. ( )

I'm sorry.

Tha mi duilich. ( )

Goodbye.

Beannachd leibh. OR Oidhche mhath (night-time only)( )

Goodbye.

Tioraidh an-drasda. OR Mar sin leibh. ( )

I can't speak name of language [well].

[ ]. ( [ ])

Do you speak English?

A' bheil Beurla agaibh? ( ?)

Is there someone here who speaks English?

A bheil Beurla aig duine sam bith an-seo? ( ?)

Help!

Cuideachaibh! ( !)

Look out!

! ( !)

Good morning.

Madainn mhath. ( )

Good evening.

Feasgar math. ( )

Good night.

Oidhche mhath. ( )

Good night (to sleep)

Cadailibh math. ( )

I don't understand.

Chan eil mi a' tuigsinn. ( )

Where is the toilet?

Cait' a bheil an taigh beag? ( ?)

Problems

Leave me alone.

. ( .)

Don't touch me!

! ( !)

I'll call the police.

Fonaidh mi air poileas. ( .)

Police!

Poileas! ( !)

Stop! Thief!

! ! ( ! !)

I need your help.

. ( .)

It's an emergency.

. ( .)

I'm lost.

. ( .)

I lost my bag.

. ( .)

I lost my wallet.

. ( .)

I'm sick.

Tha mi tinn. ( .)

I've been injured.

. ( .)

I need a doctor.

. ( .)

Can I use your phone?

Faodaidh mi fon le bhur fon(-laimhe)? ( ?)

Numbers

0

Neoini

1

A h-aon ( )

2

A dhà ( )

3

A trì ( )

4

A ceithir ( )

5

A cóig ( )

6

A sia ( )

7

A seachd ( )

8

A hochd ( )

9

A naoni ( )

10

A deich ( )

11

h-Aon dheug ( )

12

Dà dheug ( )

13

Trì deug ( )

14

Ceithir deug ( )

15

Cóig deug ( )

16

Sia deug ( )

17

Seachd deug ( )

18

Ochd deug ( )

19

Naoni deug ( )

20

Fichead ( )

21

h-Aon air fhichead ( )

22

Dà air fhichead ( )

23

Trì air fhichead ( )

30

Deich air fhichead ( )

40

Dà fhichead ( )

50

Dà fhichead is a deich ( )

60

Trì fhichead ( )

70

Trì fhichead is a deich ( )

80

Ceithir fhichead ( )

90

Ceithir fhichead is a deich ( )

100

Ceud ( )

200

Dà ceud ( )

300

Trì ceud ( )

1,000

Mille ( )

2,000

Dà ( )

1,000,000

( )

1,000,000,000

( )

1,000,000,000,000

( )

number _____ (train, bus, etc.)

( )

half

( )

less

( )

more

( )

Time

now

a-nis OR an-drasda ( )

later

dh'fhaithgearr (pronounced "gey-gar")( )

before

( )

morning

madainn ( )

afternoon

feasgar ( )

evening

feasgar ( )

night

oidhche ( )

Clock time

one o'clock AM

aon uair madainn ( )

two o'clock AM

dha uair madainn ( )

noon

meadhan-latha ( )

one o'clock PM

aon uair feasgar ( )

two o'clock PM

dha uair feasgar ( )

midnight

meadhan-oidhche ( )

Duration

_____ minute(s)

_____ mionaid(ean) ( )

_____ hour(s)

_____ uair(ean) ( )

_____ day(s)

_____ latha (laithean) ( )

_____ week(s)

_____ seachdain(ean) ( )

_____ month(s)

_____ mios(an) ( )

_____ year(s)

_____ bliadhna (bliadhnaichean) ( )

Days

today

an-diugh ( )

yesterday

an-de ( )

tomorrow

a-maireach ( )

this week

(an) seachdain (seo) ( )

last week

( )

next week

an ath sheachdain ( )

Sunday

Didòmhnaich (General) or Latha na sàbaid (Presbyterian) ( )

Monday

Diluain ( )

Tuesday

Dimàirt ( )

Wednesday

Diciadaoin ( )

Thursday

Diardaoin ( )

Friday

Dihaoine ( )

Saturday

Disathairne ( )

Months

January

am Faoileach ( )

February

am Gearran ( )

March

am Màrt ( )

April

an Giblean ( )

May

an Cèitean ( )

June

an t-Ògmhìos ( )

July

an t-luchar ( )

August

an Lùnastal ( )

September

an t-Sultain ( )

October

an Dàmhair ( )

November

an t-Samhain ( )

December

an Dùbhlachd ( )

Seasons

Spring

an t-Earrach

Summer

an Samhradh

Autumn

am Foghar

Winter

an Geamhradh

Colors

black

dubh ( )

white

geal ( )

gray

( )

red

dearg ("ruadh" for hair) ( )

blue

gorm ( )

yellow

buidhe ( )

green

uaine ( )

orange

orains ( )

purple

( )

brown

donn ( )

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?

De a' phris airson tiocaid do ____? ( )

One ticket to _____, please.

Aon tiocaid do ______, mar 's e bhur toil e. ( )

Where does this train/bus go?

Cait' an dol an treana / am bus seo? ( )

Where is the train/bus to _____?

Cait' a bheil an treana / am bus do ____? ( )

Does this train/bus stop in _____?

( )

When does the train/bus for _____ leave?

Cuin' a falbh an trana / am bus do ____?( )

When will this train/bus arrive in _____?

( )

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?

Ciamar a tha mi a' dol dhan ____ ? ( )

...the train station?

... steisean treana? ( )

...the bus station?

... steisean bus? ( )

...the airport?

... phort-adhair? ( )

...downtown?

... bhaile? ( )

...the youth hostel?

... ostail? ( )

...the _____ hotel?

... taigh-osda ____ ? ( )

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?

( )

Where are there a lot of...

Cait' a bheil moran .... ann? ( )

...hotels?

... taighean-osda? ( )

...restaurants?

... taighean-bidh? ( )

...bars?

... taighean-seinnse? ( )

...sites to see?

( )

Can you show me on the map?

( )

street

rathad ( )

Turn left.

( )

Turn right.

( )

left

( )

right

( )

straight ahead

( )

towards the _____

( )

past the _____

( )

before the _____

( )

Watch for the _____.

( )

intersection

( )

north

tuath ( )

south

deas ( )

east

ear ( )

west

iar ( )

uphill

suas ( )

downhill

sios ( )

Taxi

Taxi!

Tacsaidh! ( )

Take me to _____, please.

( )

How much does it cost to get to _____?

De a' phris airson dol dhan ____? ( )

Take me there, please.

( )

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?

( )

How much is a room for one person/two people?

De a' phris airson seomar na aon/ dha? ( )

Does the room come with...

( )

...bedsheets?

( )

...a bathroom?

... taigh beag? ( )

...a telephone?

... fon? ( )

...a TV?

... taidhsearan? ( )

May I see the room first?

( )

Do you have anything quieter?

A bheil seomar sam bith agaibh nas ciuine? ( )

...bigger?

... nas motha? ( )

...cleaner?

... nas glinne? ( )

...cheaper?

... nas saora? ( )

OK, I'll take it.

( )

I will stay for _____ night(s).

Fuirichidh mi ____ oidhche(an) ( )

Can you suggest another hotel?

( )

Do you have a safe?

( )

...lockers?

( )

Is breakfast/supper included?

( )

What time is breakfast/supper?

Cuin' am bi breacaist/suipear? ( )

Please clean my room.

( )

Can you wake me at _____?

( )

I want to check out.

( )

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?

An toil leibh dolair Ameirigeach/Astrailianach/Canadach? ( )

Do you accept British pounds?

An toil leibh notaichean? ( )

Do you accept Euros?

An toil leibh airgead eorpach? ( )

Do you accept credit cards?

( )

Can you change money for me?

( )

Where can I get money changed?

( )

Can you change a traveler's check for me?

( )

Where can I get a traveler's check changed?

( )

What is the exchange rate?

( )

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?

( )

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.

Bord airson aon/dha, mar 's e bhur toil e. ( )

Can I look at the menu, please?

Faodaidh mi seall air a' mhenu? ( )

Can I look in the kitchen?

( )

Is there a house specialty?

( )

Is there a local specialty?

( )

I'm a vegetarian.

Chan ith mi feoil. ( )

I don't eat pork.

Chan ith mi feoil-mhuic. ( )

I don't eat beef.

Chan ith mi feoil-mhairt. ( )

I only eat kosher food.

Chan ith mi biadh ach kosher. ( )

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)

( )

fixed-price meal

( )

a la carte

( )

breakfast

breacaist ( )

lunch

dinnear ( )

tea (meal)

suipear ( )

supper

caicean ( )

I want _____.

Bu toil leam ____. ( )

I want a dish containing _____.

( )

chicken

cearc ( )

beef

feòil-mhairt ( )

fish

iasg ( )

ham

feoil-mhuic ( )

sausage

( )

cheese

caise ( )

eggs

uighean ( )

salad

( )

(fresh) vegetables

glasraich ( )

(fresh) fruit

measan ( )

bread

aran ( )

toast

tost ( )

noodles

( )

rice

( )

beans

pònairean ( )

May I have a glass of _____?

Bu toil leam glainne _____. ( )

May I have a cup of _____?

( )

May I have a bottle of _____?

Bu toil leam botal _____. ( )

coffee

cofaidh ( )

tea (drink)

tì ( )

juice

sugh ( )

(bubbly) water

( )

(still) water

uisge ( )

beer

leann ( )

red/white wine

fìon dearg/geal ( )

May I have some _____?

( )

salt

salann ( )

black pepper

piopair ( )

butter

im ( )

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

gabhaibh mo leisgeul ( )

I'm finished.

Tha mi deiseil ( )

It was delicious.

( )

Please clear the plates.

( )

The check, please.

( )

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?

( )

Is there table service?

( )

A beer/two beers, please.

( )

A glass of red/white wine, please.

( )

A pint, please.

( )

A bottle, please.

( )

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.

( )

whiskey

uisge-beatha ( )

vodka

( )

rum

( )

water

uisge ( )

club soda

( )

tonic water

( )

orange juice

sugh orainds ( )

Coke (soda)

( )

Do you have any bar snacks?

( )

One more, please.

( )

Another round, please.

( )

When is closing time?

( )

Cheers!

( )

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?

( )

How much is this?

( )

That's too expensive.

Tha e ro dhaor. ( )

Would you take _____?

( )

expensive

daor. ( )

cheap

saor. ( )

I can't afford it.

( )

I don't want it.

( )

You're cheating me.

( )

I'm not interested.

(..)

OK, I'll take it.

( )

Can I have a bag?

( )

Do you ship (overseas)?

( )

I need...

Feumaidh mi... ( )

...toothpaste.

( )

...a toothbrush.

( )

...tampons.

. ( )

...soap.

( )

...shampoo.

( )

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)

( )

...cold medicine.

( )

...stomach medicine.

( )

...a razor.

( )

...an umbrella.

( )

...sunblock lotion.

( )

...a postcard.

... cart-puist. ( )

...postage stamps.

( )

...batteries.

( )

...writing paper.

... paipear airson sgriobh. ( )

...a pen.

... peann. ( )

...English-language books.

... leabhraichean anns a' Bheurla. ( )

...English-language magazines.

( )

...an English-language newspaper.

... paipear-naidheachd anns a' Bheurla. ( )

...an English-English dictionary.

... faclair Beurla-Beurla. ( )

Driving

I want to rent a car.

( )

Can I get insurance?

( )

stop (on a street sign)

( )

one way

( )

yield

( )

no parking

( )

speed limit

( )

gas (petrol) station

( )

petrol

( )

diesel

( )

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.

( )

It was a misunderstanding.

( )

Where are you taking me?

( )

Am I under arrest?

( )

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.

'S e Aimearagach/Astrailianach/Breatannach/Canadach a th' annam. (rather than "Breatannach", it is better to specify "Sasannach" [English], "Albannach" [Scottish], or "Cuimreach" [Welsh]) ( )

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.

( )

I want to talk to a lawyer.

( )

Can I just pay a fine now?

( )