Mòr
Big
Usage
For the size of things and places
Grammar Note
Adjectives follow the noun ("taigh mòr" = a big house) and lenite to "mhòr" after a feminine noun
Beag
Small
Usage
For the smallness of things and places
Grammar Note
It follows the noun and lenites to "bheag" after a feminine noun
Trom
Heavy
Usage
For the weight of luggage
Grammar Note
The comparative is "truime" (heavier); the word also means "deep, solemn"
Aotrom
Light (weight)
Usage
For the lightness of luggage
Grammar Note
The opposite of "trom" (heavy); the comparative is "aotruime"
Daor
Expensive
Usage
For saying that something costs a lot
Grammar Note
The comparative is "daoire" (more expensive); it lenites to "dhaor" after a feminine noun
Saor
Cheap
Usage
For saying that something is inexpensive
Grammar Note
"saor" means both "free" and "cheap"; the comparative is "saoire"
Teth
Hot
Usage
For hot drinks and food
Grammar Note
The comparative is "teotha" (hotter); it lenites to "theth" after a feminine noun
Fuar
Cold
Usage
For cold drinks and food
Grammar Note
The comparative is "fhuaire" (colder); it lenites to "fhuar" after a feminine noun
Ùr
New
Usage
For new or fresh things
Grammar Note
"ùr" means both "new" and "fresh"; the comparative is "ùire"
Sean
Old (thing)
Usage
For old buildings and objects
Grammar Note
"sean" can also go before the noun ("seann taigh" = an old house); the comparative is "sine"
Òg
Young
Usage
For young people
Grammar Note
The comparative is "òige" (younger); it does not change after a feminine noun
Aosta
Old (person)
Usage
For politely describing an elderly person
Grammar Note
"aosta" is used only for people's age and does not change form
Glan
Clean
Usage
For clean rooms and things
Grammar Note
The comparative is "glaine"; it lenites to "ghlan" after a feminine noun
Salach
Dirty
Usage
For dirty rooms and things
Grammar Note
The comparative is "salaiche"; it lenites to "shalach" after a feminine noun
Math
Good
Usage
For good quality, taste, weather, and more
Grammar Note
The comparative "fheàrr" (better) is a different word form; "math" lenites to "mhath" after a feminine noun
Dona
Bad
Usage
For poor quality, weather, and more
Grammar Note
The comparative "miosa" (worse) is a different word form
Faisg
Near
Usage
For a place that is close
Grammar Note
"Near …" is "faisg air …"
Fada
Far / long
Usage
For a place that is far, or something long
Grammar Note
The comparative is "fhaide"; the word means both "far" and "long"
Tràth
Early
Usage
For an early time
Grammar Note
The comparative is "tràithe"; the identical noun "tràth" means "time, meal"
Anmoch
Late
Usage
For a late hour
Grammar Note
"anmoch" is used for late in the day and as a noun can also mean "evening"
Mòran
Many
Usage
For a large amount or number
Grammar Note
A noun after "mòran" goes into the plural genitive
Beagan
A little / a few
Usage
For a small amount or number
Grammar Note
"beagan" is a masculine noun, as in "Tha beagan Gàidhlig agam" (I speak a little Gaelic)
Tha e teth
It's hot (weather)
Usage
For talking about the weather or temperature
Grammar Note
Weather is described with "Tha e" plus an adjective; "e" is the subject "it"
Tha e fuar
It's cold (weather)
Usage
For talking about the weather or temperature
Grammar Note
Weather is described with "Tha e" plus an adjective
Brèagha
Lovely / fine
Usage
For praising scenery or fine weather
Grammar Note
"brèagha" does not change form, as in "Tha an latha brèagha" (it's a lovely day)
Blasta
Delicious
Usage
For praising food
Grammar Note
"blasta" is formed from "blas" (taste) and does not change form
Iongantach
Amazing
Usage
For being impressed by scenery or an experience
Grammar Note
"iongantach" means "wonderful, surprising"; the comparative is "iongantaiche"
Spòrsail
Fun
Usage
For a fun game or gathering
Grammar Note
"spòrsail" is formed from "spòrs" (sport, fun) and also means "funny"
Barrachd
More
Usage
For asking for a larger amount
Grammar Note
"barrachd" is a noun meaning "more"; "more than …" is "barrachd air …"
Leth
Half
Usage
For half of an amount or price
Grammar Note
"leth" is a masculine noun meaning "half, side"; "leth-uair" is "half an hour"
Uile
All / whole
Usage
For referring to everything
Grammar Note
"uile" follows the noun ("an teaghlach uile" = the whole family); "everyone" is "na h-uile"
More Scottish Gaelic phrases
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- Basic Nouns
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