Basic Words

1. Tha

   Yes

   Usage

   The affirmative answer to a question that begins with "A bheil …?"

   Grammar Note

   Gaelic has no word for "yes": you answer with the verb of the question. "Tha" is the present of "to be"

2. Chan eil

   No

   Usage

   The negative answer to a question that begins with "A bheil …?"

   Grammar Note

   There is no word for "no": answer "Chan eil" (is not). For a past-tense question the answer is "Cha robh"

3. Mas e do thoil e

   Please

   Usage

   "Please" to one person you know well

   Grammar Note

   Literally "if it is your wish". "thoil" is the lenited form of "toil" (wish). For politeness use "ur" in place of "do"

4. Mas e ur toil e

   Please (formal)

   Usage

   Used with strangers, elders, or more than one person

   Grammar Note

   The polite form with "ur" (your, formal/plural). "toil" is not lenited after "ur"

5. Tapadh leat

   Thank you

   Usage

   Thanks to one person you know well

   Grammar Note

   Use "Tapadh leibh" in formal situations or to several people

6. Tapadh leibh

   Thank you (formal / plural)

   Usage

   Thanks to strangers, elders, or several people

   Grammar Note

   To one person you know well, say "Tapadh leat"

7. Mòran taing

   Many thanks

   Usage

   A stronger thank-you; the same form works for anyone

   Grammar Note

   "taing" is a feminine noun meaning "thanks"; "Mòran taing" is a set phrase meaning "a lot of thanks"

8. Gabh mo leisgeul

   Excuse me

   Usage

   To get someone's attention or to pass by

   Grammar Note

   Literally "accept my excuse"

9. Tha mi duilich

   I'm sorry

   Usage

   To apologise or to express sympathy

   Grammar Note

   "duilich" also means "difficult". Word order is verb, subject, predicate (VSO)

10. Tha e ceart gu leòr

    It's OK

    Usage

    Said when someone apologises, or to say that something is fine

    Grammar Note

    "ceart gu leòr" is a set phrase meaning "all right, fine"

11. Chan eil mi a' tuigsinn

    I don't understand

    Usage

    When you did not follow what was said

    Grammar Note

    The progressive is formed with a' + verbal noun (tuigsinn); the negative is "Chan eil"

12. Tha mi a' tuigsinn

    I understand

    Usage

    When you have understood what was said

    Grammar Note

    "Tha mi a' + verbal noun" expresses a present state or action

13. Tha mi deiseil

    I'm finished

    Usage

    Said when a meal or task is done; it can also mean "I'm ready"

    Grammar Note

    "deiseil" means both "finished" and "ready"

14. Fuirichibh, mas e ur toil e

    Please wait

    Usage

    To ask a stranger or several people to wait

    Grammar Note

    "Fuirichibh" is the plural/polite imperative of "fuirich" (wait)

15. Fuirich mionaid

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A short request to a friend to wait a moment

    Grammar Note

    "mionaid" is a feminine noun meaning "minute". Politely: "Fuirichibh mionaid"

16. Aon inbheach, mas e ur toil e

    One adult, please

    Usage

    For stating the number of adults at a ticket desk

    Grammar Note

    The noun stays singular after "aon"

17. Chan eil àite glèidhte agam

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    To tell a hotel or restaurant that you have no booking

    Grammar Note

    "Have" is expressed with "aig" (at), so "agam" is "at me". "glèidhte" means "kept, reserved"

18. Tha àite glèidhte agam

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    To tell a hotel or restaurant that you have a booking

    Grammar Note

    "Have" is expressed as "Tha … agam" (there is … at me)

19. Cuidichibh leam, mas e ur toil e

    Please help me

    Usage

    To ask a stranger for help, for example when lost

    Grammar Note

    "cuidich leam" is the usual way to say "help me"; "cuidichibh" is the plural/polite imperative

20. A-rithist, mas e ur toil e

    Once more, please

    Usage

    To ask someone to repeat what you did not catch

    Grammar Note

    "a-rithist" is an adverb meaning "again"

21. Bruidhinnibh nas slaodaiche, mas e ur toil e

    Please speak more slowly

    Usage

    When someone speaks too fast for you

    Grammar Note

    "nas" introduces the comparative; "slaodaiche" is the comparative of "slaodach" (slow)

22. Tha beagan Gàidhlig agam

    I speak a little Gaelic

    Usage

    To tell people you know a little Gaelic

    Grammar Note

    "I speak X" is said "Tha X agam" (X is at me)

23. A bheil Beurla agaibh?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Asks a stranger or a group whether they speak English

    Grammar Note

    Answer with the verb: "Tha" (it is so) or "Chan eil" (it is not). To a friend use "agad" instead of "agaibh"

24. Seo

    This one

    Usage

    Used to point at something close to you

    Grammar Note

    There are three demonstratives: "seo" (this), "sin" (that), "siud" (that over there)

25. Sin

    That one

    Usage

    Used for something near the listener or already mentioned

    Grammar Note

    "sin" means "that" and also refers back to something just mentioned

26. Siud

    That one over there

    Usage

    Used to point at something far from both of you

    Grammar Note

    "siud" points to something far from both speaker and listener

27. An seo

    Here

    Usage

    For the place where you are

    Grammar Note

    "an seo" is "in this place"; "an sin" and "an siud" are built the same way

28. An sin

    There

    Usage

    For a place near the listener or one already mentioned

    Grammar Note

    "an sin" is "in that place"

29. An siud

    Over there

    Usage

    For a place far away

    Grammar Note

    "an siud" is "in that place over there"

30. Mi

    I / me

    Usage

    "I" placed right after the verb; the emphatic form is "mise"

    Grammar Note

    Gaelic puts the verb first (VSO), so "mi" follows the verb, as in "Tha mi"

31. Thu

    You (informal)

    Usage

    "You" to one friend or child

    Grammar Note

    Use "thu" to one close person, and "sibh" for politeness or for several people

32. Sibh

    You (formal / plural)

    Usage

    "You" for strangers, elders, or several people

    Grammar Note

    "sibh" is both the plural and the polite singular; it is used to elders and strangers, including in the islands

33. Còmhla

    Together

    Usage

    An adverb for doing something with someone

    Grammar Note

    "Together with …" is "còmhla ri …"

34. Tha sin gu leòr

    That's enough

    Usage

    To say you need no more food, drink, or help

    Grammar Note

    "gu leòr" is an adverbial phrase meaning "enough"

35. An-dràsta fhèin

    Right now

    Usage

    To stress that something is needed right now

    Grammar Note

    "fhèin" means "self" and adds emphasis to the word before it

36. Aon duine

    One person

    Usage

    For stating a number of people

    Grammar Note

    The noun stays singular after "aon"

37. Dithis

    Two people

    Usage

    For giving a number of people, for example when booking a table

    Grammar Note

    A special numeral used only for counting people

38. Triùir

    Three people

    Usage

    For stating a number of people

    Grammar Note

    A special numeral used only for counting people

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