Local Drinks

1. Uisge-beatha bracha

   Malt whisky

   Usage

   Whisky made from malted barley only

   Grammar Note

   "Uisge-beatha" literally means water of life; "bracha" is the genitive of "braich" (malt). Composed phrase from dictionary words

2. Dram

   A dram

   Usage

   A small measure of whisky

   Grammar Note

   "Dram" is a masculine noun, the same word as English "dram"

3. Dram de dh'uisge-beatha, mas e ur toil e

   A dram of whisky, please.

   Usage

   For ordering whisky at a bar

   Grammar Note

   After "de", "uisge-beatha" lenites to "dh'uisge-beatha". Composed sentence.

4. Taigh-staile

   Distillery

   Usage

   For visiting a whisky distillery

   Grammar Note

   Literally "house of the still"; "taigh" is masculine

5. A bheil taigh-staile faisg air an seo?

   Is there a distillery near here?

   Usage

   When looking for a distillery on a whisky trip

   Grammar Note

   Answer "Tha" (there is) or "Chan eil" (there isn't). Composed sentence.

6. Cò ris a tha an t-uisge-beatha seo coltach?

   What is this whisky like?

   Usage

   To ask about the character of a whisky

   Grammar Note

   "Coltach ris" means like or similar to. "Uisge-beatha" is masculine and vowel-initial, so the article is "an t-". Composed sentence.

7. Pinnt leanna, mas e ur toil e

   A pint of beer, please.

   Usage

   For ordering a beer at a pub

   Grammar Note

   "Leanna" is the genitive of "leann" (ale, beer), giving "a pint of beer". Composed sentence.

8. Glainne fìona, mas e ur toil e

   A glass of wine, please.

   Usage

   For ordering wine at a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   The genitive of "fìon" is "fìona". Composed sentence.

9. Tì no cofaidh?

   Tea or coffee?

   Usage

   When offering or choosing a drink

   Grammar Note

   "Tì" has a homograph meaning intention. Composed phrase.

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