Religion & Temples

1. Gum beannaicheadh Dia sibh

   May God bless you

   Usage

   A polite blessing wish

   Grammar Note

   "gum" introduces a wish and is the form of "gun" before b. "beannaicheadh" is the optative form. Composed sentence.

2. Aifreann

   Mass

   Usage

   For a Catholic service, such as on Barra or the Uists

   Grammar Note

   "aifreann" is a masculine noun; Barra and the Uists have Catholic communities

3. Naomh Calum Cille

   Saint Columba

   Usage

   For the saint who founded the abbey on Iona

   Grammar Note

   "naomh" means "saint". Calum Cille is the saint linked with Iona

4. Tha mi a' dèanamh ùrnaigh

   I am praying

   Usage

   To say that you are praying

   Grammar Note

   "To pray" is "dèan ùrnaigh" (make a prayer); "a' dèanamh" is the progressive of "dèan"

5. A' Chàisg

   Easter

   Usage

   When talking about the Easter season

   Grammar Note

   "Càisg" is feminine and lenites after the article: "A' Chàisg"

6. Samhainn

   Samhain

   Usage

   For the traditional festival at the end of October

   Grammar Note

   "Samhainn" is the traditional festival of late October and early November, regarded as the origin of Halloween

7. Eaglais

   Church

   Usage

   For a church building

   Grammar Note

   "eaglais" is a feminine noun and can also mean the church as an institution

8. Tha sàmhchair an seo

   It is peaceful here

   Usage

   In a quiet holy place or church

   Grammar Note

   "sàmhchair" is a feminine noun for "quiet, tranquillity". "Tha … an seo" means "there is … here". Composed sentence.

9. Gun dèanadh Dia tròcair

   May God have mercy

   Usage

   As a line of prayer

   Grammar Note

   "Dèan tròcair" means "show mercy". "Gun dèanadh Dia …" is the same "may God …" blessing pattern as "Gum beannaicheadh Dia sibh". Composed sentence.

10. Tha na bùthan dùinte air Didòmhnaich

    The shops are closed on Sunday

    Usage

    Useful on islands such as Lewis and Harris, where Sunday is observed quietly

    Grammar Note

    The plural of "bùth" is "bùthan". "air Didòmhnaich" means "on Sunday". Composed sentence.

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