Greetings and politeness in Scots Gaelic
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Scots Gaelic words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Scots Gaelic phrases in this lesson
- Halòha-LO
- Hello
- Madainn mhathMA-tin va
- Good morning
- Feasgar mathFES-kur MAH
- Good evening
- Mar sin leatmar shin laht
- Goodbye
- TìoraidhCHEE-ree
- See you
- Mas e do thoil emas eh daw HOL eh
- Please
- Taingtang
- Thank you
- 'S e do bheathasheh daw VEH-ha
- You're welcome
- Tha mi duilichha mee DOO-lich
- Sorry
- Gabh mo leisgeulgav mo LESH-kul
- Excuse me
- Is toil leam coinneachadh riutiss TOL lyum KON-yukh-uh ryoot
- Nice to meet you
The standard greeting used at any time of day. Gaelic speakers in the Highlands and islands will immediately warm to any visitor who tries even this one word.
The mh is pronounced like the English v. Use this from early morning until around midday. A great opener when entering a shop or cafe on the islands.
Used from midday on, through the evening.
Literally "like that with you." This is the standard farewell to one person. To say goodbye to a group, use Mar sin leibh (mar shin lev).
The everyday goodbye between friends. Mar sin leat is the polite one.
Literally "if it is your will." It is a full phrase rather than a single word, so locals often just use a polite tone instead. Still, saying it will impress any native speaker.
The quick, everyday thank-you. Perfectly polite for small transactions like buying a coffee or receiving change.
Literally means "it is your life" and is also the phrase used to welcome someone into your home. The bh is pronounced like v.
Literally "I am sorry", for a real apology.
Used to get someone's attention or to apologize for a minor inconvenience. The gabh (take) is the imperative form and appears in many everyday Gaelic expressions.
A warm and genuine phrase. Toil means "will" or "pleasure," so this literally conveys that meeting you is a pleasure.