Adjectives

31 phrases · Scottish Gaelic with romanization, English and audio

  1. 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

  2. Beag

    Small

    Usage

    For the smallness of things and places

    Grammar Note

    It follows the noun and lenites to "bheag" after a feminine noun

  3. Trom

    Heavy

    Usage

    For the weight of luggage

    Grammar Note

    The comparative is "truime" (heavier); the word also means "deep, solemn"

  4. Aotrom

    Light (weight)

    Usage

    For the lightness of luggage

    Grammar Note

    The opposite of "trom" (heavy); the comparative is "aotruime"

  5. 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

  6. Saor

    Cheap

    Usage

    For saying that something is inexpensive

    Grammar Note

    "saor" means both "free" and "cheap"; the comparative is "saoire"

  7. Teth

    Hot

    Usage

    For hot drinks and food

    Grammar Note

    The comparative is "teotha" (hotter); it lenites to "theth" after a feminine noun

  8. Fuar

    Cold

    Usage

    For cold drinks and food

    Grammar Note

    The comparative is "fhuaire" (colder); it lenites to "fhuar" after a feminine noun

  9. Ùr

    New

    Usage

    For new or fresh things

    Grammar Note

    "ùr" means both "new" and "fresh"; the comparative is "ùire"

  10. 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"

  11. Òg

    Young

    Usage

    For young people

    Grammar Note

    The comparative is "òige" (younger); it does not change after a feminine noun

  12. 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

  13. Glan

    Clean

    Usage

    For clean rooms and things

    Grammar Note

    The comparative is "glaine"; it lenites to "ghlan" after a feminine noun

  14. Salach

    Dirty

    Usage

    For dirty rooms and things

    Grammar Note

    The comparative is "salaiche"; it lenites to "shalach" after a feminine noun

  15. 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

  16. Dona

    Bad

    Usage

    For poor quality, weather, and more

    Grammar Note

    The comparative "miosa" (worse) is a different word form

  17. Faisg

    Near

    Usage

    For a place that is close

    Grammar Note

    "Near …" is "faisg air …"

  18. 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"

  19. Tràth

    Early

    Usage

    For an early time

    Grammar Note

    The comparative is "tràithe"; the identical noun "tràth" means "time, meal"

  20. 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"

  21. Mòran

    Many

    Usage

    For a large amount or number

    Grammar Note

    A noun after "mòran" goes into the plural genitive

  22. 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)

  23. 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"

  24. 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

  25. 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)

  26. Blasta

    Delicious

    Usage

    For praising food

    Grammar Note

    "blasta" is formed from "blas" (taste) and does not change form

  27. Iongantach

    Amazing

    Usage

    For being impressed by scenery or an experience

    Grammar Note

    "iongantach" means "wonderful, surprising"; the comparative is "iongantaiche"

  28. Spòrsail

    Fun

    Usage

    For a fun game or gathering

    Grammar Note

    "spòrsail" is formed from "spòrs" (sport, fun) and also means "funny"

  29. Barrachd

    More

    Usage

    For asking for a larger amount

    Grammar Note

    "barrachd" is a noun meaning "more"; "more than …" is "barrachd air …"

  30. 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"

  31. 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"

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