Sharing our language
Scottish Gaelic is widely spoken across the Isle of Lewis. A Celtic language, Gaelic has been spoken by Gaels for over 1,500 years and is a central part of our heritage and cultural identity.
Whether it is to say hello to someone in a shop or hotel, feel connected to our culture or even to learn a beautiful ancient Gaelic song, why not learn a few words to try out whilst you're here.
Photo credit Kevin Donner
Greetings
Madainn mhath / Good morning
Feasgar math / Good afternoon/evening
Oidhche mhath / Good night
Ciamar a tha thu? / How are you?
Tha mi gu math / I am well
Chan eil mi dona / I'm not bad
Tapadh leat / Thank you
Mas e do thoil e / Please
’S e do bheatha / You're welcome
Photo credit Murdanie Macleod
Photo credit Angus Maclean
Weather
Tha i / It is ...
Àlainn / Beautiful
Blàth / Warm
Brèagha / Lovely
Fliuch / Wet
Frasach / Showery
Fuar / Cold
Garbh / Wild
Grianach / Sunny
Mì-chàilear / Unpleasant
Sgòthach / Cloudy
Teth / Hot
Tioram / Dry
Tha an t-uisge ann / It is raining
Tha an sneachda ann / It is snowing
Tha an reothadh ann / It is icy
Tha turadh ann / There is a break in the weather
Tha gèile a’ tighinn / There's a gale coming
Tha droch shìde ann / The weather is bad
See & Do
Beinn OR Cnoc / Hill
Mullach na beinne / Summit of the hill
Boglach / Bog
Machair / Machair
Fraoch / Heather
Mòinteach / Moor
Cladach / Shore
Tràigh / Beach
Gnàth-sìde / Climate
Muir OR Cuan / Sea
Sruth / Stream
Creagan / Cliffs
Uamh / Cave
Abhainn / River
Croit / Croft
Tha mi a'dol cuairt / I'm going for a walk
Tha mi a'dol surfadh / I'm going surfing
'S toil leam spòrs uisge / I like watersports
Tha mi a' coimhead eun / I'm birdwatching
Tha mi a'dol a' shnàmh / I'm going swimming
Tha mi a'dol gu cèilidh / I'm going to a ceilidh
Tha mi ag ionnsachadh Gàidhlig / I'm learning Gaelic
Eat & Drink
Am faigh mi... mas e do thoil e / Can I get... please?
Bu chaomh leam / I would like
Copan teatha/cofaidh / A cup of tea/coffee
Pìos cèic / A slice of cake
Bainne / Milk
Siùcar / Sugar
Bùrn / Uisge / Water
Ceapair / Sandwich
Brot / Soup
Am faigh mi glainne fion mas e do thoil e / Can I have a glass of wine please?
Dè tha thu ag iarraidh ri òl? / What do you want to drink?
Gabhaidh mi glainne fìon / I'll have a glass of wine
Shop
Càite a bheil... / Where is...?
Dè tha seo a'cosg? / How much is this?
A bheil.... agaibh? / Do you have...?
Clò Hearach / Harris Tweed
A bheil sibh a'gabhail cairtean? / Do you accept cards?
Stay
Cuin a bhios bracaist ann? / When is breakfast?
A bheil taigh-seinnse faisg? / Is there a pub nearby?
Càite an teid mi a dh'ith? / Where can I go to eat?
Càite a bheil an taigh-beag? / Where is the toilet?
A bheil rùm agaibh? / Do you have any rooms available?
Cuin a tha an ath bhus? When is the next bus?
