Car Rental & Driving

1. Bu mhath leam càr a fhastadh airson trì làithean.

   I would like to rent a car for three days.

   Usage

   The usual opening line when hiring a car

   Grammar Note

   "Fastadh" is hiring and lenites to "fhastadh" after "a"; the noun after "trì" is plural ("làithean"). Composed sentence: native review advised

2. A bheil càr fèin-ghluasadach agaibh?

   Do you have an automatic car?

   Usage

   For asking what kind of car is available

   Grammar Note

   "Fèin-ghluasadach" means automatic; adjectives follow the noun. Composed sentence: native review advised

3. Mìnichibh an t-àrachas dhomh, mas e ur toil e.

   Please explain the insurance to me.

   Usage

   To ask for the insurance to be explained before signing

   Grammar Note

   "Mìnichibh" is the polite imperative of "mìnich" (explain). "Àrachas" is masculine and starts with a vowel, giving "an t-àrachas"

4. Tha sgrìob air a' chàr.

   There is a scratch on the car.

   Usage

   To point out a scratch when picking up or returning a car

   Grammar Note

   "Sgrìob" is a scratch; "air a' chàr" is on the car, with "càr" lenited

5. Tha milleadh air a' chàr.

   There is damage to the car.

   Usage

   To report damage to the car

   Grammar Note

   "Milleadh" is damage; "air a' chàr" is on the car

6. Am faod mi an càr a thoirt thairis air a' chrìch?

   May I take the car across the border?

   Usage

   To check the rental rules before crossing a border

   Grammar Note

   "Thairis air" means across. "Crìoch" is feminine, so it lenites to "a' chrìch". Composed sentence: native review advised

7. A bheil tolla ri phàigheadh air an t-slighe seo?

   Is there a toll to pay on this route?

   Usage

   To check whether a route has tolls

   Grammar Note

   "Tolla" is a toll and "ri phàigheadh" means to be paid. "Slighe" is feminine, giving "air an t-slighe". Composed sentence: native review advised

8. Chan eil an càr a' tòiseachadh.

   The car won't start.

   Usage

   To report a breakdown

   Grammar Note

   "Tòisich" means to begin; "Chan eil ... a' tòiseachadh" literally says the car is not starting

9. Bu mhath leam an càr a thilleadh tràth.

   I would like to return the car early.

   Usage

   To say you want to bring the car back sooner

   Grammar Note

   "Till" means return; the verbal noun lenites to "thilleadh" after "a". "Tràth" means early. Composed sentence: native review advised

10. A bheil suidheachan airson leanabh agaibh?

    Do you have a child seat?

    Usage

    When hiring a car with a small child

    Grammar Note

    "Airson leanabh" means for a child; "leanabh" is masculine. Composed sentence: native review advised

11. A bheil carbad-dealain agaibh?

    Do you have an electric car?

    Usage

    To ask whether an electric car is available

    Grammar Note

    "Carbad-dealain" is an electric vehicle (carbad + dealan); masculine

Browse all TravelPhrases languages