Descriptive Gaelic


Here are some translations for family, colors, descriptions, and whatever else. I see a lot of requests for help in naming farms, pets, etc., so here are some

Here are some translations for family, colors, descriptions, and whatever else. I see a lot of requests for help in naming farms, pets, etc., so here are some Scots Gaelic words. Keep in mind that I don't speak Gaelic, and the bulk of my info came from online dictionaries and resources. Any resources I used can be found on my Links page. Especially helpful is MacBain's Gaelic Dictionary. Many words have their own in Gaelic, for example, a small cupboard (turlas), small drop (druabag), and different birds (ean is "a bird", but feitheid is "a bird of prey">, so you may find a word in a dictionary that describes something exactly or close enough.

Click here to search MacBain's Gaelic Dictionary - tip: from the drop-down menu, choose "Word"; and best results may come from using one search word. You will find a lot more than I have represented here; it also gives Irish, Old Irish, and other forms of words.

IG = Irish Gaelic, OI = Old Irish, SG = Scots Gaelic, W = Welsh. If I have a "?" then I can't figure out the pronunciation, or I'm guessing on what I do have. If you speak Gaelic, feel free to e-mail me corrections, or info to fill in the blanks. For more help on pronunciation, go to A Beginner's Guide to Irish Gaelic Pronunciation.

Last updated/added to: 19 May 2002

Thanks to Fionnabhair ó hOgain.



The Categories, in order:

Animals ~ Body Parts/Features ~ Colors ~ Days/Months/Holidays/Seasons
Numbers ~ Places/Times ~ Relations ~ Everything Else ~ Phrases



English Gaelic Pronunciation Other Meanings Lang.
Animals Top
bird ean, ian ee-uhn, ee-an -- IG/SG, SG
cat catt, cat kat -- SG, IG
cat pus poos -- OI
cat stidean ? -- SG
cow bó, buar1; earc2 boh, cattle1, heifer2 IG; SG
dog cù, choin coo, koh-in? -- IG
fox sionnach shionak -- SG
horse àigeach1, capull, steud2; capall, each3 ?,?,?; kaw-pahl, awk young horse1, steed2, mare3 SG; IG
porpoise cana kan-a young whale SG/IG
seal ròn, rón rohn -- SG, IG/OI
whale míol mee-ohl animal, louse IG
Body Parts / Features Top
arm gàirdean, ruighne1 ?, ? forearm1 SG
bald calbh1, maol, calb ?, mohl, kaw-luhb head, pate1 SG, SG/IG, IG
cheek meil, put ?, poot? -- SG/IG, SG
ear cluas cloo-uhs -- SG/IG
eye sùil, súil soo-eel -- SG, IG
foot cas, cos ?, kohs leg SG/IG
head (body) ceann kawn -- SG/IG
head snaodh ? chief SG
heart cridhe, criodhe, croí kree -- SG, IG, IG
leg cas, cos kahs, cohs foot SG
mouth beul, gionach; bél, béal ?, ?; byahl -- SG; IG
nose sròn, srón srohn -- SG, IG
tail (appendage) sìup see-oop? -- SG
Colors Top
black dubh doov dark, brown IG, SG
blue gorm gohrum green IG, SG
brown donn dohn -- IG, OI, SG; SG
gold òr, ór ohr -- SG, IG
gray; grey liath, lyart lee-ah,? -- SG; IG
green glas; uaine glahs; ? blue IG/SG
orange oráiste orahsthah -- IG
pink bándearg bahn-djahreg -- IG
purple purpaidh, purpuir, corcra1 ?,?, kohr-krah crimson1 SG, IG, OI
red carnaid, dearg, ruad, ruadh ?, djahreg, rooa, roo-agh -- SG, IG/SG, IG, SG
silver airgead ahr-gyahd -- IG
white bàn, càin; bán bahn, cah-in; bahn -- SG; IG/OI
yellow buidhe, buide bwee -- SG, IG/OI
Days / Months / Holidays / Seasons Top
Sunday Di Dòmhnaich, Latha na Sàbaid jee-doh-nich, laah nah saah-pitsh -- SG
Monday Diluain jee-loo-in -- SG
Tuesday Dimàirt jee-maarsh-tsh -- SG
Wednesday Diciadain jee-kee-ahtin -- SG
Thursday Diardaoin jee-ardeun -- SG
Friday Dihaoine jee-he-unyuh -- SG
Saturday Disathairne jee-sa-hurnah -- SG
January am Faoilleach ahm Feul-yoch -- SG
February an Gearran ahn G-yarrahn -- SG
March am Màrt ahm marsht -- SG
April an Giblean ahn geeblyahn -- SG
May an Cèitean ahn key-tchahn -- SG
June an t-Og-mhìos ahn tawg-viss -- SG
July an t-Luchar ahn tchoocher -- SG
August an Lùnasdal ahn loonuss-dull -- SG
September an t-Sultain ahn tool-teen -- SG
October an Dàmhair ahn dah-vair -- SG
November an t-Samhain ahn tavain -- SG
December an Dùbhlachd ahn doo-lochk -- SG
New Year's Day Latha na Bliadhn' Uire laah nah vleen oohra -- SG
Easter Càisg, Càisgean ? -- SG
May Day Latha Buidhe Bealltainn ? -- SG
Hallowe'en Oidhche Shamhna oyke havna? -- SG
Christmas Nollaig, Nollaigean nollik, nollik-an -- SG
New Year's Eve Oidhche Challainn oychae clallin Hogmanay SG
Autumn Am Foghar, Foghair ahm faohar -- SG
Spring An t-Earrach, Earraichean an tsharrach, arrachain? -- SG
Summer An Samhradh, Samhraidhean ahn sow-raygh, sow-raygh-ain? -- SG
Winter An Geamhradh, Geamhraidhean ahn gyow-raygh, gyow-raygh-ain? -- SG
Numbers Top
zero neoni nyoh-nee -- SG
one, one of two aon, dala/dàrna aohn, dah-lah?/dayr-nah? -- SG
two dà, dhà daah -- SG
three trì tree -- SG
third treas tray-ass? -- SG
four ceithir ke-hir -- SG
five còig koh-ik -- SG
six sè, sia she, she-ah -- SG
seven seachd shachk -- SG
eight ochd ochk -- SG/IG
nine naoi naoy -- SG
ten deich jeh-ch -- SG
eleven aon deug aohn jeeak -- SG
twelve dà dheug daah jeeak -- SG
thirteen trì deug tree jeeak -- SG
fourteen ceithir deug ke-hir jeeak -- SG
fifteen còig deug koh-ik jeeak -- SG
sixteen sia deug she-ah jeeak -- SG
seventeen sachd deug schachk jeeak -- SG
eighteen ochd deug ochk jeeak -- SG
nineteen naoi deug naoy jeeak -- SG
thirty deich air fhichead jeh-ch ehr ichaht -- SG
twenty fichead fiaht -- SG
forty dà fhichead daah ichaht -- SG
fifty caogad, leth-cheud ?, lyeh cheeaht -- SG
sixty trì fichead tree fichaht -- SG
seventy trì fichead 's a deich tree fichaht sah jeh-ch -- SG
eighty ceithir fichead ke-hir fiaht -- SG
hundred ceud, ceudan kee-aht, kee-aht-ahn -- SG
thousand mìle meela -- SG
million muillean mul-luhn? -- SG
English Gaelic Pronunciation Other Meanings Lang.
Places/Times Top>
barn sabhal, sgiobal sah-vahl?, ? -- SG
beach cladach1, dòirling2 kladack, ? shore1, isthmus2 SG
castle caisteal, casteal, lùchairt1, màrrach2 cashte-al, casheel, ?, mahr-rach? palace1, enchanted castle2 SG
cliff stòr stoor steep cliff SG
dawn fàir fah-eer? -- SG
hell ifrinn ifrin? -- SG
house teach, tigh, brugh1; tech chachk, ?, broozh?; ? large house1 SG/IG, SG; OI
island innis, inis innis -- SG, IG
meadow bàrd1, dail2; bárd bahrd?, dale dyke1, enclosure1, dale2 SG; IG
moon easga, luan ?, loo-an? lunar? SG
plain raon ? field SG
river abhainn, aibhne, abann ahv-ahn, ahv-nye?, ah-bahnn? -- IG, SG, OI
sea aibheis, lear, tabh1; muir ay-vees?, leer?, tawv, mew-er ocean1 SG; SG/IG/OI
star reannag, rèalta ?, ryahl-uh-tuh -- SG, IG
stars rèaltan ryal-uh-tuhn -- IG
sun grian, grían ? -- SG, OI
sunset fuinim? foo-i-nim? -- SG
tower baideal, broch, tùr ?, brok, tew-er? -- SG
twilight (daylight) camhanaich ? sunrise? SG
twilight (evening) ìargail ee-ar-gayl? dusk? SG
wall balla balla -- SG/IG
America Ameireaga ammeruga -- SG
Australia Astràilia astrahleea, ostrehleea -- SG
Canada Canada kah-nah-dah -- SG
China Sina sheenah -- SG
England Sasann sassun -- SG
France an Fhraing uh ra-eeng-g -- SG
Germany a' Ghearmailt uh yerrum-altch -- SG
Ireland Eireann, Eire eh-run, air -- SG, IG
Scotland Alba alabuh -- SG
Relations Top
aunt antaidh, antaidhean ant-ee?, ? -- SG
brother bráthair, bráthir, bràthair vraahair -- IG, OI, SG
cousin co-ogha, co-oghaichean ?, ? -- SG
dad Dadaí DA-dee, same as daddy -- IG
darling àilleagan, cagaran ?, cah-gah-ran? dear SG
(the) daughter an nighean ahn nyee-an -- SG
daughter of my sister a inghean no pheathar (?) a ? mo feahar (niece) SG
son of my brother a inghean no bràthar a (?) mo vraahair (niece) SG
dear cagaran1, daor, dìleas2, ionmhuinn, muileach3 cah-gah-ran?, dahr?, dee-leas? darling1, faithful2, beloved3 SG
father m' áthair maher -- IG
friend caraid, caomhach1 chaa-ritsh, kaw-vahk? bedfellow1 SG
husband mo duine, daoine mo ghoonye, ? man, person SG
grandfather seanáthair, sheanair, Tadgu or Taid SHAN-awe-hir, hennair, tad-gee, tide old father IG, SG, W, W
grandmother seanmháthair, shaenmhair SHAN-maw-hir, hennaver old mother IG, SG
grandpa Daideó DA-doe -- IG
granny Mamó MA-moe -- IG
lad smarach, an gille ?, ahn geelye young boy, the boy SG
mother máthair, máthir MAW-hir -- IG, OI
mum Mamaí MA-mee, same as mammy -- IG
sister siúr, piuthar shoor -- IG, SG
son am mac, claimhuinn1, dalta2 ahm machk, dahl-ta? son-in-law1, fosterson2 SG
son of my sister a mhic no pheathar a vihc mo feahar nephew SG
son of my brother a mhic no bràthar a vihc mo vraahair nephew SG
spouse cèile ? fellow SG
uncle uncail, uncailean un-kahl, un-kah-luhn -- SG
wife bhean venn -- SG
Everything Else Top
anger daochan ? -- SG
beautiful àlainn ah-layn -- SG
beauty àille, maise, sgèimh, sgiamh; snuadh ?, ?, ?, ?; ? -- SG; SG/IG
bent cròm, staon1 kroom, ? awry1, shallow1 SG
bright sorcha SOHR-uh-xuh light SG
clear soilleir ? visible SG
coffee cofaìdh, cofaìdhean ?, ? -- SG
curve faoch ? -- SG
dark dorch, dorcha, dorche DOHR-uh?, DOHR-uh-xuh?, ? -- SG, IG, OI
demon, demons donas, deamhan, dheamhainnean DO-nas, deoain, yoinean devil SG
devil diabhoil diavail -- SG
dislike daoch1, thud2 ?, hoot horror1, impatience2 SG
dry seasg1, sgreag2, tioram; tigim ?, ?, ?, chihg-ihm barren1, parch2 SG/IG, SG; IG
dull dùr ? stubborn SG
dumb balbh, balb; baoth ? foolish SG, IG/OI; SG
fast (from food) aoine ? -- SG
festivity ceilidh KAY-lee party SG
foe biùthaidh ? -- SG
food biadh, cugan, lòn, tuar bee-ahv?, koo-can?, loan?, too-ar? -- SG
ghost, ghosts tannasg, tannasgach tannasg, tannasg-ak? spirit SG
great mór, immar, mòr mohr, ee-mar?, mohr big IG, OI, SG
happy sona soana? -- SG
hard cruiadgh, doirbh1, tuinnidh2; crua, deacair ?, ?, ?; kroo-ah, djah-kahr difficult1, firm2 SG; IG
hate fùrlaich ? -- SG
health fàilte fahl-tcha? -- SG
heavy cudrom, trom1 ?, trohm? weight1 SG
high àrd, uthard1 ard, oo-hahrd? above1 SG
holy naomh nohv -- SG/IG
huge adhbhal, aibheil ? -- SG
legacy dìleab, dilb dee-lehab?, deelb? -- SG, IG
light aingheal1, aotrom2, guanach3, solus, sorcha ?, ?, ?, soh-luhs?, SOHR-uh-xuh fire1, weight2, giddy3 SG
liquid tlìgheachd ? -- SG
long fad, fada; fota; luinge; sìor (continual) fahd, fah-dah; ?; ?; ? -- IG/SG; OI; IG/SG; SG
loud labhair la-vair? in a louod voice SG
love bàidh, cion1, gaol, gràdh, liobh, seirc; báidhe bah-eev?, ?, gayle?, ?, ?, ?; bah-eev? esteem1 SG; IG
low ìosal ee-ah-sayl? -- SG
mad buathadh1, farmad2 ?, ? fit1, envy2 SG
magic seun ? charm SG
narrow cumhang, cúmhang ? -- SG, IG
one person tì, tí tee -- SG, IG, OI
pair dithis di-hiss? -- SG
party ceilidh KAY-lee festivity SG
quick prap prap sudden SG
quiet bìth, sàmhach, seasgair1 beeth, sav-ach?, ? comfortable1 SG
rough fròmhaidh, garbh1, sgrabach2 ? hoarse1, ragged2 SG
short goirid, gairid, garit; mutach, mut ? -- SG, IG, OI; SG, IG
slow leug, mall ?, mahl? lazy, laziness SG
small frith, mean, mion ? -- SG
smart fùdraic ? good condition SG
smell boladh, bolad ?, ? -- SG, IG
smooth réidh, sleamhuinn ? plain, slippery SG/IG
soft bog, maoth, min, mòdhar, tais, tiom boag?, meeth?, min, ?, tah-is?, ti-ohm? -- SG
speckled breac, nas brice ?, ? -- SG
stay stad stat -- SG
steep lidh1, stac2, stòr3 lee, stack?, stoor? grassy slope1, precipice2, cliff3 SG
stench tùt tewet -- SG
straight rag rag stiff, benumbed, unwilling SG
strong bailceach, daingean, fortail, làidir ? hardy, firm SG
stubborn reasgach ? irascible, restive SG
sweet milc1, milis mehlc?, mee-lihs sweetness1 SG, SG/IG
tall thall hall? over, beyond SG
tea tee -- SG
thick tiugh ? -- SG/IG
thin tanaí tah-nee -- SG/IG/OI
ugly grànda, gràda, duaichnidh1 ?, ?, ? gloomy1 SG
unpleasant smell tòchd ? -- SG
water bùrn, dobhar, uisge burn, dah-vahr?, uishge -- SG
weak anfhann, anbhfann ? -- SG, IG
wet fliuch flyuhk -- SG/IG/OI
wide fairsing, farsaing, stàbhach ? asunder, straddling SG/OI, SG
wind gaoth, soilgheas ? fair wind SG
wise céillidh, finideach, glic ? sover SG

English Gaelic Pronunciation Lang.
Phrases Top
A good run is better than a bad stand Is fear rith maith nà droch sheasamh ? SG
A hundred thousand welcomes Ceud Mìle Fàilte kee-ut meeluh fal-tchuh SG
Cheerio, bye Tìoraidh ? SG
Farewell, kind friend Slan leat, a charaid choir slaan leaht, a karaid koir SG
Good-bye for now Mar sin leibh an-dràsda mahr sheen leev uhn drahs-dah SG
Good-bye then Mar sin leibh ma-tha mahr sheen leev mah hah SG
Good morning Dia dhuit ar maìdin Dee-ah djeet ahr mah-djeen IG
Good night Oíche mhaith; Oidhche mhath eehweh wvah; oyke vah IG; SG
Happy New Year Bliadhna Mhath Ur bleenah vah oohr SG
Happy birthday to you Là breith sona dhuit lah breh sonnuh ghoot SG
Hello (Hi [informal) Hallò (Hai) SG
Happy New Year Bliadhna Mhath Ur bleenah vah oohr SG
Honor is a tender thing Is beadarrach an ni an onair ? SG
How are you? Ciamar a tha thu kia-mar a haa hu SG
I'm sorry Tha mi duilich haa me doolich? SG
I am well Tha mi gle mhath ha mi glay vah SG
I love you Mo gràdh (agam) ort mo graag (agam?) orst SG
May all your days be happy ones A h-uile là sona dhuibh's gun là idir dona dhuibh uh hooluh lah sonnuh ghuh-eev skoon lah eejir donnuh ghug-eev SG
May you be healthy, upright and happy throughout your whole life. Gum bi a' bheatha a' frasadh ort, a bhig, an fhallaineachd, an ionracas, an sonas mar thiodhlacan. ? SG
May you be well Slàn leibh slahn leev SG
Merry Christmas Nollaig chridheil nollik chree-hel SG
My blessing a bheanachd a ve-anakd SG
My name is .... [Name] is ainm dom [Name] iss ah-nihm dohm IG
My friend a charaid a karaid SG
Thank you tapa leibh, tapadh leat tahpa leiv, tahpa leaht SG
To your good health Slàinte mhath slaainte vah SG
Welcome! Fàilte! fal-tchuh SG
What is your name? Cad is ainm duit? kahd iss ah-nihm djeet IG