Numbers

12 phrases · Scottish Gaelic with romanization, English and audio

  1. A h-aon, a dhà, a trì, a ceithir, a còig

    One, two, three, four, five

    Usage

    The counting form, used when no noun follows

    Grammar Note

    Before a noun: aon, dà (lenites: "dà chù"), trì, ceithir, còig. The "h-" is inserted between "a" and a vowel

  2. A sia, a seachd, a h-ochd, a naoi, a deich

    Six, seven, eight, nine, ten

    Usage

    The counting form for 6 to 10 when no noun follows

    Grammar Note

    11 to 19 add "deug" (aon deug = 11). 20 = fichead, 100 = ceud, 1000 = mìle

  3. Fichead, trithead, ceathrad, caogad

    Twenty, thirty, forty, fifty

    Usage

    The modern decimal way of counting tens

    Grammar Note

    The older system counts in twenties (ceithir fichead = 80); modern speech uses forms like "trithead" and "ceathrad"

  4. Ceud, dà cheud, mìle

    One hundred, two hundred, one thousand

    Usage

    Used for larger numbers and prices

    Grammar Note

    "Dà" lenites the next word (dà cheud). "Mìle" means "thousand" and also "mile"

  5. Dè an uair a th' ann?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    To ask the time

    Grammar Note

    "Uair" means "hour, time". "A th' ann" is a set ending, roughly "that it is"

  6. Seasgad, seachdad, ochdad, naochad, ceud

    Sixty, seventy, eighty, ninety, one hundred

    Usage

    The tens from 60 to 100

    Grammar Note

    These are the modern forms. The older system says "ceithir fichead" (80) and "ceithir fichead 's a deich" (90)

  7. Tha e sia uairean

    It is six o'clock

    Usage

    How to give the time on the hour

    Grammar Note

    After a numeral "uair" takes the plural "uairean". Built from dictionary words

  8. Dà phunnd is caogad peighinn

    Two pounds and fifty pence

    Usage

    For saying a price in pounds sterling, the currency in Scotland

    Grammar Note

    "Dà" lenites the next word (dà phunnd). The noun stays singular after a number like fifty. Built from dictionary words

  9. Cia mheud duine?

    How many people?

    Usage

    To ask the number of people, for example in a restaurant

    Grammar Note

    The noun after "cia mheud" stays singular ("duine", person)

  10. An ath fhear

    The next one

    Usage

    Used to call the next person in a queue

    Grammar Note

    "Ath" lenites the next word (ath fhear). "Fear" means "man" or "one"

  11. Tha mi seachd bliadhna fichead a dh'aois

    I'm 27 years old

    Usage

    To state your age, in the traditional counting by twenties

    Grammar Note

    "Seachd bliadhna fichead" is literally "seven years twenty", i.e. 27. "A dh'aois" means "of age"

  12. Bidh mi ochd bliadhna fichead a dh'aois am-bliadhna

    I turn 28 this year

    Usage

    To say what age you reach this year. Built from dictionary words

    Grammar Note

    "Bidh" is the future of "bi" (be), "will be". "Am-bliadhna" means "this year"

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