The Hebridean Celtic Festival, which takes place every July and was particularly successful this year on its 15th anniversary, has kindly allowed the Seaboard News to reprint their page of useful Gaelic phrases from their website, supporting our efforts “a’ cumail Gàidhlig beò!” in Easter Ross:
http://www.hebceltfest.com/bothan/phrases/
Gaelic Phrases – Gnàth-Fhocail Ghoirid
Here are some phrases used in everyday Gaelic – enough to give you a smattering…..
General Phrases
| GAELIC | ENGLISH | PHONETIC |
| Fàilte | Welcome | faaltshæ |
| Maduinn mhath | Good morning | matin vah |
| Latha math | Good day/It’s a nice day | laah mah |
| Feasgar math | Good afternoon,evening | fesker mah |
| Oidhche mhath | Good night! | oychæ vah |
| Tìoraidh an dràsda | Cheerio for now! | tsheearee an draasda |
| Gabh mo leisgeul | Excuse me | gav mo leshkæl |
| Tha mi duilich | I am sorry | haa mee doolich |
| Tapadh leibh | Thank you | taphæ leyv |
| Mòran taing | Many thanks | mohræn tigh-ng |
| ‘Se ur beatha | You’re welcome | shey oor behah |
| Glè mhath! | Very good! | glay vaa |
Questions & Responses
| Ciamar a tha sibh? | How are you (polite/plural) | keemar æ haa sheev |
| Ciamar a tha thu | How are you (informal) | keemar æ haa oo |
| Tha gu math, tapadh leibh | Very well, thank you | haa goo mah tahpæ leyv |
| Chan eil dona | Not bad | chan yeyll donnæ |
| Tha mi sgìth | I’m tired | haa mee skee |
| Dè an t-ainm a tha oirbh | What is your name? | Jey æn tenyæm æ horæv |
| Is mise… | My name is… | Iss meeshæ… |
The Weather
| Tha e fluich | It is raining | haa eh flyooch |
| Tha e tioram | It is dry | haa eh tshirræm |
| Tha e blàth | It is warm | haa eh blaah |
| Tha e fuar | It is cold | haa eh fooær |
Useful Words
| Oifis a’ phuist | Post Office | offish æ foo-ish-tsh |
| Fòn | Phone | fohn |
| Taigh-òsda | Hotel | tigh ohstæ |
| Taigh-beag | Toilet (lit. the wee room) | tigh bek |
| An taigh tasgaidh | Museum | æn tigh tasskee |
Festival Particular
| Co tha a cluich a-nochd? | Who’s playing tonight? | co aha cloo-ich a nocht |
| Cait a bheil… | Where is…? | catch a vail ? |
| …an oifis | …the office? | …un offish |
| …an teant? | …the tent? | ….un tent |
| …am bar? | …the bar? | …um bar |
| …an larach campachaidh? | …the camp site? | …un laruch cawm-puchee |
| I like Celtic music | Is caobh leam ceol Ceilteach | is kæ lum kyal kell-chuch |
More about the Festival and about the acts who played there this year, including headliners Runrig, here:
http://www.hebceltfest.com/festival/reviews/
Mòran taing!
