Ainmean is seanfhacail

Names, places and sayings

The Gaelic you meet outside a lesson: people's names and how they change when you speak to someone, the Mac and Nic of surnames, the words that make up the place names on the map, and a handful of the proverbs that everyone quotes.

Where Gaelic lives

The best practice of all is Gaelic spoken by the people who speak it. These are the places to find it.

LearnGaelic — courses, a dictionary and hours of video from native speakers
Am Faclair Beag — the fullest online Gaelic–English dictionary
BBC Alba — Gaelic television, radio and news
Tobar an Dualchais — thousands of recordings of songs and stories from the last century
An Comunn Gàidhealach — the Royal National Mòd, the festival of Gaelic music and literature, every October
Fèisean nan Gàidheal — local festivals teaching traditional music and Gaelic, mostly for young people
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig — the Gaelic college on Skye, with short courses for learners
Gaelic in Nova Scotia — the Gaelic of Cape Breton, and where to learn it in Canada

First names

Ainmean

Most English first names have a Gaelic form, and many Scots use both. Speaking to someone, the name changes — the vocative: a in front and the name softened, and a man's name made slender too.

English	Gaelic	Talking to them
John	Iain	Iain
James	Seumas	a Sheumais
Donald	Dòmhnall	a Dhòmhnaill
Malcolm	Calum	a Chaluim
Rory	Ruairidh	a Ruairidh
William	Uilleam	Uilleim
Mary	Màiri	a Mhàiri
Catherine	Catrìona	a Chatrìona
Margaret	Mairead	a Mhairead
Helen	Eilidh	Eilidh
Morag	Mòrag	a Mhòrag
Joan	Seonag	a Sheonag
Anna	Anna	Anna
Katie	Ceitidh	a Cheitidh

Is mise Maireadis MEE-shuh MY-ryatI am Margaret
Is
is
mise
I (emphatic)
Mairead
Margaret
Halò, a Chaluimha-LAW, uh KHAL-imHello, Malcolm
Halò
hello
a
O (calling)
Chaluim
Malcolm

r, l and n take no written h, so Ruairidh keeps its spelling — only the a shows it is the vocative. Before a vowel even the a goes: Iain, Eilidh.

Surnames: Mac and Nic

Sloinnidhean

Mac is son. A woman's surname takes Nic instead, from nighean mhic, daughter of the son of: Mary MacDonald is Màiri NicDhòmhnaill. The name after Mac or Nic is in the genitive, and usually softened.

A surname without Mac is softened for a woman: Seumas Caimbeul, but Màiri Chaimbeul.

	A man	A woman
MacDonald	MacDhòmhnaill	NicDhòmhnaill
MacLeod	MacLeòid	NicLeòid
MacKenzie	MacCoinnich	NicCoinnich
MacKay	MacAoidh	NicAoidh
MacLean	MacIllEathain	NicIllEathain
Campbell	Caimbeul	Chaimbeul

Màiri NicDhòmhnaillMAA-ree neekh-GHAW-ulMary MacDonald
Màiri
Mary
NicDhòmhnaill
MacDonald (a woman's)
Seumas CaimbeulSHAY-mus KAIM-bulJames Campbell
Seumas
James
Caimbeul
Campbell

Reading the map

Ainmean-àite

Most names on a map of the Highlands and Islands are Gaelic, and a dozen words unlock most of them. The English names are usually the Gaelic ones as an English speaker heard them: Inbhir Nis became Inverness.

In the Western Isles many names are Norse, respelled in Gaelic: the -bhagh of Steòrnabhagh (Stornoway) is Norse for bay.

Word	Meaning	On the map
inbhir	river mouth	Inbhir Nis (Inverness)
obar	river mouth	Obar Dheathain (Aberdeen)
dùn	fort	Dùn Èideann (Edinburgh)
baile	town, farm	Baile a' Chaolais (Ballachulish)
ceann	head, end	Ceann Tìre (Kintyre)
gleann	glen	Gleann Comhann (Glencoe)
beinn	mountain	Beinn Nibheis (Ben Nevis)
loch	loch	Loch Laomainn (Loch Lomond)
eilean	island	Eilean Dònain (Eilean Donan)
port	harbour	Port Rìgh (Portree)
cill	church	Cill Rìmhinn (St Andrews)
srath	wide valley	Srath Spè (Strathspey)
tobar	well	Tobar Mhoire (Tobermory)
druim	ridge	Druim na Drochaid (Drumnadrochit)

Inbhir NisEEN-yir NEESHInvernessThe mouth of the River Ness.
Inbhir
river-mouth
Nis
Ness
Dùn Èideanndoon AY-junEdinburgh
Dùn
fort
Èideann
Eidyn (a name)
GlaschuGLAS-khooGlasgow
Port Rìghporsht REEPortreeThe king's harbour.
Port
harbour
Rìgh
king
An t-Òbanun TAW-panObanThe little bay.
An
the
t-Òban
little-bay
SteòrnabhaghSHTYAWR-nuh-vahStornoway

The islands

Na h-Eileanan

The islands are where Gaelic is most spoken, and their names are Gaelic first: an English map has them at one remove. Most take an or na — an t-Eilean Sgitheanach, the Isle of Skye — and going to one is a dh'ionnsaigh or simply do: tha mi a' dol do Bharraigh, I am going to Barra, with Barra softened after do.

English	Gaelic	Where
Lewis	Leòdhas	the north of the Long Island
Harris	Na Hearadh	the south of the same island
North Uist	Uibhist a Tuath	the Outer Hebrides
South Uist	Uibhist a Deas	the Outer Hebrides
Barra	Barraigh	the southern end of the Outer Hebrides
Skye	An t-Eilean Sgitheanach	the Inner Hebrides
Mull	Muile	the Inner Hebrides
Islay	Ìle	the southern Inner Hebrides
Tiree	Tiriodh	west of Mull
Arran	Arainn	the Firth of Clyde

Tha mi a' dol do BharraighHA mee uh DOL duh VAR-eyeI am going to Barrado softens the name: Barraigh becomes Bharraigh.
Tha
am
mi
I
a' dol
going
do
to
Bharraigh
Barra
Tha i à LeòdhasHA ee aa LYAW-usShe is from Lewis
Tha
is
i
she
à
from
Leòdhas
Lewis
anns an Eilean SgitheanachOWNS un EL-an SKEE-un-ukhon the Isle of Skye
anns
in
an
the
Eilean
island
Sgitheanach
of Skye

Sgitheanach is also what you call someone from Skye, as Leòdhasach is someone from Lewis — the island's name with -ach on the end.

Sayings

Seanfhacail

Gaelic is rich in proverbs, and they turn up in conversation, in songs and on the walls of Gaelic schools. The first dozen are ones every learner meets sooner or later — each is worth reading word by word, because they use the grammar in this guide in its most compact form. One of them is the saying of the day at the top of this page.

Many of the rest come from Wiktionary's collection of Gaelic proverbs, used under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Others come from Alexander Nicolson's A Collection of Gaelic Proverbs and Familiar Phrases (1882), put into today's spelling.

Tìr gun teanga, tìr gun anam.TCHEER goon TCHENG-uh, TCHEER goon AN-umA land without its language is a land without its soul.
Tìr
land
gun
without
teanga
a tongue
tìr
land
gun
without
anam
a soul
Beagan is beagan, mar a dh'ith an cat an sgadan.BEH-kan is BEH-kan, mar uh YEE un KAHT un SKAT-anLittle by little, as the cat ate the herring.Slow and steady — the learner's proverb.
Beagan
a little
is
and
beagan
a little
mar
as
a
that
dh'ith
ate
an
the
cat
cat
an
the
sgadan
herring
'S e obair latha tòiseachadh.sheh O-pur LA-uh TAW-shukh-ughStarting is a day's work.Getting started is the hardest part.
'S e
it is
obair
work
latha
of-a-day
tòiseachadh
starting
Is math an sgàthan sùil caraid.is MA un SKAA-han SOOL KAR-itchA friend's eye is a good mirror.
Is
is
math
good
an
the
sgàthan
mirror
sùil
eye
caraid
of-a-friend
Is binn gach eun na dhoire fhèin.is BEEN gakh AYN nuh GHOR-uh HAYNEvery bird is sweet in its own grove.Everyone is at their best at home.
Is
is
binn
sweet
gach
every
eun
bird
na
in-his
dhoire
grove
fhèin
own
Thèid dùthchas an aghaidh nan creag.HAYJ DOO-khus un UH-ee nun KREKHeritage will go against the rocks.What is in your blood will out.
Thèid
will-go
dùthchas
heritage
an aghaidh
against
nan
of-the
creag
rocks
Cha tig às a' phoit ach an toit a bhios innte.kha tcheek AHS uh FOTCH akh un TOTCH uh VEES EEN-tchuhNothing comes out of the pot but the steam that is in it.You get out what you put in.
Cha
not
tig
comes
às
out-of
a'
the
phoit
pot
ach
but
an
the
toit
steam
a
that
bhios
will-be
innte
in-it
Is e an t-ionnsachadh òg an t-ionnsachadh bòidheach.shay un tchoon-SUKH-ugh AWK un tchoon-SUKH-ugh BAW-yukhLearning young is beautiful learning.Quoted at children, and at anyone starting late.
Is e
it is
an
the
t-ionnsachadh
learning
òg
young
an
the
t-ionnsachadh
learning
bòidheach
beautiful
An rud nach gabh leigheas, 's fheudar a ghiùlan.un ROOT nakh GAV LYAY-us, SHAY-tur uh YOO-lanWhat cannot be cured must be borne.
An
the
rud
thing
nach
that-not
gabh
takes
leigheas
curing
's fheudar
must
a
to
ghiùlan
bear-it
Is fheàrr teine beag a gharas na teine mòr a loisgeas.is YAAR TCHEN-uh BEK uh GHAR-us nuh TCHEN-uh MOHR uh LOSH-kusBetter a small fire that warms than a big one that burns.Enough is better than too much.
Is
is
fheàrr
better
teine
a fire
beag
small
a
that
gharas
warms
na
than
teine
a fire
mòr
big
a
that
loisgeas
burns
Is treasa tuath na tighearna.is TRES-uh TOO-uh nuh TCHEE-urn-uhA tenantry is stronger than a landlord.People together outweigh the powerful — a proverb with a long history in the Highlands.
Is
is
treasa
stronger
tuath
a tenantry
na
than
tighearna
a landlord
Cha robh dithis riamh a' fadadh teine nach do las eatorra.kha ROH JEE-ish REE-uv uh FAT-ugh TCHEN-uh nakh doh LAS ET-ur-uhTwo never kindled a fire without it lighting between them.Said of two people who keep falling out — or falling in love.
Cha
not
robh
was
dithis
two-people
riamh
ever
a' fadadh
kindling
teine
a fire
nach
that-not
do las
lit
eatorra
between-them
Cha dèan aon smeòrach samhradh.kha JEE-un OON SMYAW-rukh SOW-rughOne thrush doesn't make a summer.
Cha
not
dèan
will-make
aon
one
smeòrach
thrush
samhradh
summer
Nuair a thig air duine, thig air uile.NOO-ur uh HEEK er DOO-nyuh, HEEK er OO-luhWhen trouble comes to someone, it all comes at once.
Nuair
when
a
that
thig
comes
air
on
duine
a-person
thig
comes
air
on-him
uile
all
Is tighe fuil na bùrn.is TCHEE-uh FOOL nuh BOORNBlood is thicker than water.
Is
is
tighe
thicker
fuil
blood
na
than
bùrn
water
Bu dual do dh'isean an ròin a dhol chun na mara.boo DOO-ul doh YEE-shan un RAWN uh GHOL khoon nuh MAR-uhIt was in the seal pup's nature to go to the sea.
Bu
was
dual
natural
do
for
dh'isean
the-young
an
of-the
ròin
seal
a
to
dhol
go
chun
to
na
the
mara
sea
Am fear nach dèan cur ri latha fuar, cha dèan e buain ri latha teth.um FER nakh JEE-un KOOR ree LA-uh FOO-ur, kha JEE-un eh BOO-an ree LA-uh TCHEHHe who won't sow on a cold day won't reap on a hot one.
Am
the
fear
man
nach
who-won't
dèan
do
cur
sowing
ri
on
latha
a-day
fuar
cold
cha
won't
dèan
do
e
he
buain
reaping
ri
on
latha
a-day
teth
hot
Bidh an t-ubhal as fheàrr air a' mheangan as àirde.bee un TOO-ul us YAAR er uh VENG-an us AAR-juhThe best apple is on the highest branch.
Bidh
will-be
an
the
t-ubhal
apple
as
that's
fheàrr
best
air
on
a'
the
mheangan
branch
as
that's
àirde
highest
Is àirde tuathanach air a chasan na duine-uasal air a ghlùinean.is AAR-juh TOO-uh-nukh er uh KHAS-un nuh DOO-nyuh OO-us-ul er uh GHLOO-nyunA farmer on his feet stands taller than a gentleman on his knees.
Is
is
àirde
taller
tuathanach
a-farmer
air
on
a
his
chasan
feet
na
than
duine-uasal
a-gentleman
air
on
a
his
ghlùinean
knees
Cha duine duine na aonar.kha DOO-nyuh DOO-nyuh nuh OO-nurA person alone is no person.
Cha
not
duine
a-person
duine
a-person
na aonar
alone
Tagh do bhean mar as math leat do chlann.TUGH doh VEN mar us MA let doh KHLOWNChoose your wife as you would want your children.
Tagh
choose
do
your
bhean
wife
mar
as
as
that's
math
good
leat
with-you
do
your
chlann
children
Far am bi toil, bidh gnìomh.FAR um bee TOL, bee GREE-uvWhere there's a will, there will be a deed.
Far
where
am
that
bi
is
toil
a-will
bidh
will-be
gnìomh
a-deed
Buain am maorach nuair a tha an tràigh ann.BOO-an um MOO-rukh NOO-ur uh HA un TRY OWNGather the shellfish while the tide is out.
Buain
gather
am
the
maorach
shellfish
nuair
when
a
that
tha
is
an
the
tràigh
ebb-tide
ann
there
Is toigh le bò mhaol bò mhaol eile.is TOY le BAW VOOL BAW VOOL EL-uhA hornless cow likes another hornless cow.
Is
is
toigh
pleasing
le
to
bò
a-cow
mhaol
hornless
bò
a-cow
mhaol
hornless
eile
other
Sùil airson sùla is fiacail airson fiacla.SOOL ar-SON SOO-luh is FEE-uh-kul ar-SON FEE-uh-kluhAn eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
Sùil
an-eye
airson
for
sùla
an-eye
is
and
fiacail
a-tooth
airson
for
fiacla
a-tooth
An nì a chuireas duine, 's e a bhuaineas e.un NEE uh KHOOR-us DOO-nyuh, SHEH uh VOO-an-us ehWhat a person sows is what he reaps.
An
the
nì
thing
a
that
chuireas
sows
duine
a-person
's
it's
e
it
a
that
bhuaineas
reaps
e
he
An car a tha san t-seann mhaide, 's duilich a thoirt às.un KAR uh HA sun TCHOWN VA-tchuh, STOO-leekh uh HORSHT AHSThe twist in the old stick is hard to take out.
An
the
car
twist
a
that
tha
is
san
in-the
t-seann
old
mhaide
stick
's
it's
duilich
hard
a
to
thoirt
take
às
out
'S e miann na lacha an loch air nach bi i.SHEH MEE-un nuh LA-khuh un LOKH er nakh BEE eeThe duck longs for the loch she isn't on.
'S
it's
e
it
miann
the-desire
na
of-the
lacha
duck
an
the
loch
loch
air
on
nach
that-not
bi
is
i
she
Aithnichear duine air a' chuideachd a chumas e.AH-nyeekh-ur DOO-nyuh er uh KHOO-jukhk uh KHOO-mus ehA person is known by the company he keeps.
Aithnichear
is-known
duine
a-person
air
by
a'
the
chuideachd
company
a
that
chumas
keeps
e
he
Fada bhon t-sùil, fada bhon chridhe.FAT-uh von TOOL, FAT-uh von KHREE-uhFar from the eye, far from the heart.
Fada
far
bhon
from-the
t-sùil
eye
fada
far
bhon
from-the
chridhe
heart
An rud nach cluinn cluas, cha ghluais e cridhe.un ROOT nakh KLOO-in KLOO-us, kha GHLOO-ush eh KREE-uhWhat the ear doesn't hear won't move the heart.
An
the
rud
thing
nach
that-not
cluinn
hears
cluas
an-ear
cha
not
ghluais
will-move
e
it
cridhe
a-heart
Cha d'fhuair droch bhuanaiche riamh deagh chorran.kha DOO-ur DROKH VOO-an-eekh-uh REE-uv JO KHOR-anA bad reaper never got a good sickle.
Cha
not
d'fhuair
got
droch
bad
bhuanaiche
reaper
riamh
ever
deagh
good
chorran
sickle
Cho fad 's a bhios an deò, bidh an dòchas.kho FAT suh VEES un JAW, bee un DAW-khusAs long as there's breath, there's hope.
Cho
as
fad
long
's
as
a
that
bhios
is
an
the
deò
breath
bidh
will-be
an
the
dòchas
hope
Ruigidh each mall muileann.ROO-ee-ee EKH MOWL MOOL-unA slow horse will reach the mill.
Ruigidh
will-reach
each
a-horse
mall
slow
muileann
a-mill
Comhairle do dhuine glic, slat do dhruim an amadain.KO-ur-luh doh GHOO-nyuh GLEECHK, SLAHT doh GHRIM un AM-ut-anAdvice for a wise man, a rod for the fool's back.
Comhairle
advice
do
to
dhuine
a-man
glic
wise
slat
a-rod
do
to
dhruim
back
an
of-the
amadain
fool
Am fear nach seall roimhe, seallaidh e às a dhèidh.um FER nakh SHOWL ROY-uh, SHOWL-ee eh AHS uh YAYHe who won't look ahead will look behind him.
Am
the
fear
man
nach
who-won't
seall
look
roimhe
before-him
seallaidh
will-look
e
he
às a dhèidh
after-him
B' fheàrr gun tòiseachadh na sgur gun chrìochnachadh.BYAAR goon TAW-shukh-ugh nuh SKOOR goon KHREE-ukh-nukh-ughBetter not to start than to stop without finishing.
B'
would-be
fheàrr
better
gun
without
tòiseachadh
starting
na
than
sgur
stopping
gun
without
chrìochnachadh
finishing
Cha toir an uaisle goil air a' phoit.kha TOR un OO-ush-luh GOL er uh FOTCHGentility won't make the pot boil.
Cha
won't
toir
bring
an
the
uaisle
gentility
goil
a-boil
air
on
a'
the
phoit
pot
Chan uaisle duine na a cheàird.khan OO-ush-luh DOO-nyuh nuh uh KHYAARJNo one is nobler than his trade.
Chan
not
uaisle
nobler
duine
a-person
na
than
a
his
cheàird
trade
Cha dèanar buannachd gun chall.kha JEE-uh-nur BOO-un-ukhk goon KHOWLThere is no gain without loss.
Cha
not
dèanar
is-made
buannachd
gain
gun
without
chall
loss
Is motha mo shùil na mo bhrù.is MO-uh mo HOOL nuh mo VROOMy eye is bigger than my belly.
Is
is
motha
bigger
mo
my
shùil
eye
na
than
mo
my
bhrù
belly
Am fear a nì obair na thràth, bidh e na leth-thàmh.um FER uh NEE O-pur nuh HRAA, bee eh nuh LYEH-HAAVHe who works in good time will have time to rest.
Am
the
fear
man
a
who
nì
does
obair
work
na thràth
in-good-time
bidh
will-be
e
he
na leth-thàmh
at-leisure
Cha bhi toradh gun saothair.kha VEE TOR-ugh goon SOO-hurThere is no harvest without toil.
Cha
not
bhi
will-be
toradh
produce
gun
without
saothair
toil
Is fheàrr èirigh moch na suidhe anmoch.is YAAR AY-ree MOKH nuh SOO-yuh AN-amokhBetter to rise early than to sit up late.
Is
is
fheàrr
better
èirigh
rising
moch
early
na
than
suidhe
sitting
anmoch
late
Is fheàrr aon an-diugh na dhà a-màireach.is YAAR OON un-JOO nuh GHAA uh-MAA-rukhOne today is better than two tomorrow.
Is
is
fheàrr
better
aon
one
an-diugh
today
na
than
dhà
two
a-màireach
tomorrow
Is fheàrr deagh eòlas na droch chàirdeas.is YAAR JO YAW-lus nuh DROKH KHAAR-jusGood acquaintance is better than bad kinship.
Is
is
fheàrr
better
deagh
good
eòlas
acquaintance
na
than
droch
bad
chàirdeas
kinship
'S fheàrr a bhith cinnteach na caillteach.SYAAR uh VEE KEEN-tchukh nuh KAL-tchukhBetter to be sure than to be at a loss.
'S
it's
fheàrr
better
a
to
bhith
be
cinnteach
sure
na
than
caillteach
at-a-loss
Is i an dias as truime as ìsle a chromas a ceann.is ee un JEE-us us TROO-im-uh us EESH-luh uh KHROM-us uh KYOWNThe heaviest ear of corn bows its head the lowest.
Is
it's
i
it
an
the
dias
ear-of-corn
as
that's
truime
heaviest
as
that's
ìsle
lowest
a
that
chromas
bows
a
its
ceann
head
Cha do shèid gaoth riamh nach robh an seòl cuideigin.kha doh HAYJ GOO REE-uv nakh ROH un SHAWL KOO-jeek-inNo wind ever blew that wasn't in someone's sail.
Cha
not
do
(past)
shèid
blew
gaoth
wind
riamh
ever
nach
that-not
robh
was
an
in
seòl
the-sail-of
cuideigin
someone
Is e an geamhradh luath an geamhradh buan.SHEH un GYOW-rugh LOO-uh un GYOW-rugh BOO-unAn early winter is a long winter.
Is
it's
e
it
an
the
geamhradh
winter
luath
early
an
the
geamhradh
winter
buan
long-lasting
Is fheàrr aon latha sa Mhàrt na trì latha san fhoghar.is YAAR OON LA-uh suh VAARSHT nuh TREE LA-uh sun OH-urOne day in March is worth three in autumn.
Is
is
fheàrr
better
aon
one
latha
day
sa Mhàrt
in-March
na
than
trì
three
latha
days
san
in-the
fhoghar
autumn
Bonnach air bois, cha bhruich e is cha loisg e.BON-ukh er BOSH, kha VROO-eekh eh is kha LOSHK ehA bannock on the palm neither bakes nor burns.
Bonnach
a-bannock
air
on
bois
a-palm
cha
won't
bhruich
bake
e
it
is
and
cha
won't
loisg
burn
e
it
Am fear a thèid san droigheann dhomh, thèid mi san dris dha.um FER uh HAYJ sun DROY-un ghoh, HAYJ mee sun DREESH ghahWhoever goes into the thorns for me, I'll go into the brambles for him.
Am
the
fear
man
a
who
thèid
goes
san
into-the
droigheann
blackthorn
dhomh
for-me
thèid
will-go
mi
I
san
into-the
dris
bramble
dha
for-him
Chan eil am bonnach beag bruich fhathast.khan yel um BON-ukh BEK BROO-eekh HA-hustThe little bannock isn't baked yet.
Chan
not
eil
is
am
the
bonnach
bannock
beag
little
bruich
baked
fhathast
yet
Is fheàrr a dhol a laighe gun suipear na èirigh ann am fiachan.is YAAR uh GHOL uh LIE-uh goon SOO-ee-pur nuh AY-ree OWN um FEE-ukh-unBetter to go to bed without supper than to rise in debt.
Is
is
fheàrr
better
a
to
dhol
go
a laighe
to-bed
gun
without
suipear
supper
na
than
èirigh
rising
ann am
in
fiachan
debts
Beul a labhras, ach gnìomh a dhearbhas.BEE-ul uh LOW-rus, akh GREE-uv uh YER-uv-usThe mouth speaks, but the deed proves.
Beul
a-mouth
a
that
labhras
speaks
ach
but
gnìomh
a-deed
a
that
dhearbhas
proves
Aithis na praise air a' choire.AH-ish nuh PRASH-uh er uh KHOR-uhThe pot finding fault with the kettle.
Aithis
the-reproach
na
of-the
praise
pot
air
on
a'
the
choire
kettle
Tha currac air a' bheinn, tha an t-uisge a' tighinn.ha KOO-rukhk er uh VAYN, ha un TOOSH-kuh uh TCHEE-inThe hill has its cap on: the rain is coming.
Tha
there's
currac
a-cap
air
on
a'
the
bheinn
hill
tha
is
an
the
t-uisge
rain
a'
-ing
tighinn
coming
Is sona gach cuid an comaidh.is SON-uh gakh KOOJ un KO-meeEvery share is happy when it is shared.
Is
is
sona
happy
gach
every
cuid
share
an comaidh
in-common
San earrach, nuair a bhios a' chaora caol, bidh am maorach reamhar.sun YAR-ukh, NOO-ur uh VEES uh KHOO-ruh KOOL, bee um MOO-rukh RAV-urIn spring, when the sheep is thin, the shellfish is fat.
San
in-the
earrach
spring
nuair
when
a
that
bhios
is
a'
the
chaora
sheep
caol
thin
bidh
will-be
am
the
maorach
shellfish
reamhar
fat
'S beò duine an dèidh a shàrachaidh, ach cha bheò e an dèidh a nàrachaidh.SBYAW DOO-nyuh un JAY uh HAA-ruh-khee, akh kha VYAW eh un JAY uh NAA-ruh-kheeA person can live through being harried, but not through being shamed.
'S
is
beò
alive
duine
a-person
an dèidh
after
a
his
shàrachaidh
harrying
ach
but
cha
not
bheò
alive
e
he
an dèidh
after
a
his
nàrachaidh
shaming
'S tric a bhios cridhe geal ann an seiche dhonn.STREEKHK uh VEES KREE-uh GYAL OWN un SHEH-khuh GHOWNOften a bright heart is in a brown skin.
'S
is
tric
often
a
that
bhios
is
cridhe
a-heart
geal
bright
ann an
in
seiche
a-hide
dhonn
brown
A' bheinn as àirde a th' anns an tìr, is ann oirre as tric a chithear an ceò.uh VAYN us AAR-juh uh HOWNS un TCHEER, is OWN OR-uh us TREEKHK uh KHEE-ur un KYAWThe highest hill in the land is the one most often in mist.
A'
the
bheinn
hill
as
most
àirde
high
a
that
th'
is
anns an
in-the
tìr
land
is
it-is
ann
in
oirre
on-her
as
most
tric
often
a
that
chithear
is-seen
an
the
ceò
mist
A' chungaidh-leighis as goirte, 's i as motha a tha a' dèanamh feum.uh KHOONG-ee-LYAY-ish us GOR-tchuh, SHEE us MO-uh uh HA uh JEE-un-uv FAYMThe medicine that hurts most does the most good.
A'
the
chungaidh-leighis
medicine
as
most
goirte
sore
's
it's
i
she
as
most
motha
much
a
that
tha
is
a'
-ing
dèanamh
doing
feum
good
Am fear a labhras olc mu a mhnaoi, tha e a' cur mì-chliù air fhèin.um FER uh LOW-rus OLK moo uh VROO-ee, ha eh uh KOOR MEE-khloo er HAYNThe man who speaks ill of his wife disgraces himself.
Am
the
fear
man
a
who
labhras
speaks
olc
evil
mu
about
a
his
mhnaoi
wife
tha
is
e
he
a'
-ing
cur
putting
mì-chliù
disgrace
air
on
fhèin
himself
Am fear a laigheas sa pholl, togaidh e an làthach.um FER uh LIE-us suh FOWL, TOK-ee eh un LAA-hukhHe who lies in the bog gets up covered in mud.
Am
the
fear
man
a
who
laigheas
lies
sa
in-the
pholl
bog
togaidh
will-raise
e
he
an
the
làthach
mud
Am fear nach dèan obair na ghnìomh, chan fhaigh e biadh air feadh nam preas.um FER nakh JEE-un O-pur nuh GHREE-uv, khan AI eh BEE-ugh er FYUGH num PRESHe who won't work won't find food among the bushes.
Am
the
fear
man
nach
who-won't
dèan
do
obair
work
na ghnìomh
in-his-deeds
chan
not
fhaigh
will-get
e
he
biadh
food
air feadh
throughout
nam
the
preas
bushes
Am fear as fhaide a chaidh bhon bhaile, chuala e an ceòl a bu mhilse leis nuair a thill e dhachaigh.um FER us AH-juh uh KHAI vohn VAL-uh, KHOO-uh-luh eh un KYAWL uh boo VEEL-shuh LESH NOO-ur uh HEEL eh GHAKH-eeThe one who went farthest from home heard the sweetest music when he came back.
Am
the
fear
man
as
most
fhaide
far
a
that
chaidh
went
bhon
from-the
bhaile
town
chuala
heard
e
he
an
the
ceòl
music
a
that
bu
was
mhilse
sweetest
leis
to-him
nuair
when
a
that
thill
returned
e
he
dhachaigh
home
An dubh-isean ag iarraidh an dubh-gheòidh.un DOO-ISH-an uk EE-ur-ee un DOO-YAW-eeThe black chick seeks out the black goose.
An
the
dubh-isean
black-chick
ag
-ing
iarraidh
seeking
an
the
dubh-gheòidh
black-goose
An leanabh a dh'fhàgar dha fhèin, cuiridh e a mhàthair gu nàire.un LYEN-uv uh GHAA-gur ghah HAYN, KOOR-ee eh uh VAA-hir goo NAA-ruhThe child left to himself will put his mother to shame.
An
the
leanabh
child
a
that
dh'fhàgar
is-left
dha
to-him
fhèin
self
cuiridh
will-put
e
he
a
his
mhàthair
mother
gu
to
nàire
shame
An seanfhacal fada fìor, cha bhreugnaichear an seanfhacal.un SHEN-ukh-kul FAT-uh FEE-ur, kha VREE-uk-neekh-ur un SHEN-ukh-kulThe old saying is long proved true; a proverb is never belied.
An
the
seanfhacal
proverb
fada
long
fìor
true
cha
not
bhreugnaichear
will-be-belied
an
the
seanfhacal
proverb
Nuair a chluinneas tu sgeul gun dreach, na creid i.NOO-ur uh KHLOON-yus too SKEE-ul goon DREKH, nuh KRAYJ eeWhen you hear an ugly tale, don't believe it.
Nuair
when
a
that
chluinneas
hear
tu
you
sgeul
a-tale
gun
without
dreach
comeliness
na
don't
creid
believe
i
it
Bidh sonas an lorg na caitheamh.bee SON-us un LOROK nuh KAH-yuvHappiness follows generosity.
Bidh
will-be
sonas
happiness
an lorg
in-the-track-of
na
the
caitheamh
spending
Bò mhaol odhar agus bò odhar mhaol.BAW VOOL OH-ur AH-gus BAW OH-ur VOOLA hornless dun cow and a dun hornless cow.
Bò
a-cow
mhaol
hornless
odhar
dun
agus
and
bò
a-cow
odhar
dun
mhaol
hornless
Bris mo chlaigeann air thùs, is an sin ciùrr mo chorrag.BREESH moh KHLAK-un er HOOS, is un SHEEN KYOOR moh KHOR-akFirst break my skull, then hurt my finger.
Bris
break
mo
my
chlaigeann
skull
air thùs
first
is
and
an sin
then
ciùrr
hurt
mo
my
chorrag
finger
Cha bhi am bochd sòghail saoibhir.kha VEE um BOKHK SAW-ghul SOO-ee-virThe poor man who lives in luxury will never be rich.
Cha
not
bhi
will-be
am
the
bochd
poor-man
sòghail
luxurious
saoibhir
rich
Cha d'fhuair droch ràmhaiche ràmh math riamh.kha DOO-ur DROKH RAA-vikh-uh RAAV MA REE-uvA bad rower never got a good oar.
Cha
not
d'fhuair
got
droch
bad
ràmhaiche
rower
ràmh
an-oar
math
good
riamh
ever
Cha leasachadh air droch obair-latha a bhith fada gun tòiseachadh.kha LYES-ukh-ugh er DROKH O-pur-LA-uh uh VEE FAT-uh goon TAW-shukh-ughStarting late won't mend a bad day's work.
Cha
not
leasachadh
a-mending
air
on
droch
bad
obair-latha
day's-work
a
to
bhith
be
fada
long
gun
without
tòiseachadh
starting
Cha nigh na tha de dh'uisge anns a' mhuir ar càirdeas.kha NEE nuh HA juh GHOOSH-kuh OWNS uh VOOR ur KAAR-jusAll the water in the sea could not wash out our kinship.
Cha
not
nigh
will-wash
na
what
tha
is
de
of
dh'uisge
water
anns a'
in-the
mhuir
sea
ar
our
càirdeas
kinship
Chan ann leis a' chiad bhuille a thuiteas a' chraobh.khan OWN LESH uh KHEE-ut VOOL-yuh uh HOOTCH-us uh KHROOVThe tree doesn't fall at the first stroke.
Chan
not
ann
it-is
leis a'
with-the
chiad
first
bhuille
blow
a
that
thuiteas
falls
a'
the
chraobh
tree
Cho làidir ri Cù Chulainn.kho LAA-jir ree KOO KHOO-linAs strong as Cù Chulainn.
Cho
as
làidir
strong
ri
as
Cù Chulainn
Cù-Chulainn
Cluasan anns gach ceàrn.KLOO-uh-sun OWNS gakh KYAARNEars in every corner.
Cluasan
ears
anns
in
gach
every
ceàrn
corner
Dùnan math innearach, màthair na ciste-mine.DOO-nan MA EEN-yur-ukh, MAA-hir nuh KEESH-tchuh-MEE-nuhA good dung heap is the mother of the meal chest.
Dùnan
a-heap
math
good
innearach
of-dung
màthair
mother
na
of-the
ciste-mine
meal-chest
Èist ri gaoth nam beann gus an tràigh na h-uisgeachan.AYSHTCH ree GOO num BYOWN goos un TRAA-ee nuh HOOSH-kukh-unListen to the mountain wind until the streams go down.
Èist
listen
ri
to
gaoth
the-wind
nam
of-the
beann
mountains
gus an
until
tràigh
ebb
na
the
h-uisgeachan
waters
Fèath Faoilteach is gaoth Iuchair, cha mhair iad fada.FEE-uh FOO-il-tchukh is GOO YOO-khir, kha VAR ee-ut FAT-uhA calm in February and a wind in July never last long.
Fèath
a-calm
Faoilteach
of-February
is
and
gaoth
a-wind
Iuchair
of-July
cha
not
mhair
will-last
iad
they
fada
long
Ged a bheirte a' bhò dhan doras mhòr, rachadh i fhèin dhan bhàthaich.GET uh VEHR-tchuh uh VAW ghun DOR-us VOHR, RAKH-ugh ee HAYN ghun VAA-heekhBring the cow to the front door and she'll still take herself to the byre.
Ged
though
a
that
bheirte
were-brought
a'
the
bhò
cow
dhan
to-the
doras
door
mhòr
big
rachadh
would-go
i
she
fhèin
herself
dhan
to-the
bhàthaich
byre
Ged is e an duine an tuathanach, is e an t-each an saothraiche.GET SHAY un DOO-nyuh un TOO-uh-nukh, SHAY un TCHEKH un SOO-ur-ikh-uhThe man may be the farmer, but the horse is the labourer.
Ged
though
is
it-is
e
it
an
the
duine
man
an
the
tuathanach
farmer
is
it-is
e
it
an
the
t-each
horse
an
the
saothraiche
labourer
Ionnsaich do sheanmhair lite a dhèanamh.YOON-seekh doh HEN-uh-vir LEE-tchuh uh YEE-un-uvTeach your grandmother to make porridge.
Ionnsaich
teach
do
your
sheanmhair
grandmother
lite
porridge
a
to
dhèanamh
make
Is binn guth an eòin far an do rugadh e.is BEEN GOO un YAWN FAR un doh ROO-gugh ehSweet is the bird's song where it was born.
Is
is
binn
sweet
guth
the-voice
an
of-the
eòin
bird
far an
where
do
did
rugadh
was-born
e
he
Is e an ceò geamhraidh a nì an cathadh earraich.SHAY un KYAW GYOW-ree uh NEE un KA-hugh YAR-eekhWinter mist makes spring snowdrifts.
Is
it-is
e
it
an
the
ceò
mist
geamhraidh
of-winter
a
that
nì
makes
an
the
cathadh
snowdrift
earraich
of-spring
Is e an cleachdadh a nì teòma.SHAY un KLEKH-kugh uh NEE TCHAW-muhPractice is what makes you skilful.
Is
it-is
e
it
an
the
cleachdadh
practice
a
that
nì
makes
teòma
skilful
Is fheàrr dìcheall an duine laig na neo-shunnd an duine làidir.is YAAR JEE-khyul un DOO-nyuh LAIK nuh NYO-HOONT un DOO-nyuh LAA-jirBetter the effort of the weak than the indifference of the strong.
Is
is
fheàrr
better
dìcheall
the-diligence
an
of-the
duine
man
laig
weak
na
than
neo-shunnd
the-indifference
an
of-the
duine
man
làidir
strong
Is ionann aithreachas crìche ri bhith a' cur sìl mu Fhèill Màrtainn.is YOON-un AH-rukh-us KREE-khuh ree VEE uh KOOR SHEEL moo AYL MAARSH-tinRepentance at the end is like sowing seed at Martinmas.
Is
is
ionann
the-same
aithreachas
repentance
crìche
of-the-end
ri
as
bhith
being
a'
-ing
cur
sowing
sìl
seed
mu
about
Fhèill Màrtainn
Martinmas
Is minig a bha an donas dàicheil.is MEEN-ik uh VA un DON-us DAA-kheelThe devil has often been handsome.
Is
is
minig
often
a
that
bha
was
an
the
donas
devil
dàicheil
handsome
Le sìor iarraidh thig furtachd latha èiginn.leh SHEE-ur EE-ur-ee HEEK FOOR-shtukhk LA-uh AY-kinKeep asking and help will come some day.
Le
with
sìor
constant
iarraidh
asking
thig
will-come
furtachd
relief
latha
day
èiginn
some
Na h-abair diug a-chaoidh ris an eun gus an tig e às an ugh.nuh HA-pur JOOK uh-KHOO-ee RISH un AYN goos un TCHEEK eh AHS un OONever call 'chick, chick' to the bird until it's out of the egg.
Na
don't
h-abair
say
diug
chick
a-chaoidh
ever
ris an
to-the
eun
bird
gus an
until
tig
comes
e
it
às an
out-of-the
ugh
egg
Na sir is na seachain an cath.nuh SHEER is nuh SHAKH-in un KANeither seek nor shun the fight.
Na
don't
sir
seek
is
and
na
don't
seachain
avoid
an
the
cath
battle
Pàighidh am feamainn am feurach.PAA-ee um FEM-in um FEE-ur-ukhThe seaweed will pay for the grazing.
Pàighidh
will-pay
am
the
feamainn
seaweed
am
the
feurach
grazing
Tha a' ghrian air cùlaibh gach sgothan.ha uh GHREE-un er KOO-liv gakh SKO-hanThe sun is behind every cloud.
Tha
is
a'
the
ghrian
sun
air cùlaibh
behind
gach
every
sgothan
cloud
Thèid capall don choille, ach brisidh aon uallach a chridhe.HAYJ KAH-pul don KHOL-yuh, akh BREESH-ee OON OO-uh-lukh uh KHREE-uhA colt will go to the wood, but one load will break his heart.
Thèid
will-go
capall
a-colt
don
to-the
choille
wood
ach
but
brisidh
will-break
aon
one
uallach
load
a
his
chridhe
heart
Cha suaicheantas corra air cladach.kha SOO-eekh-un-tus KOR-uh er KLAT-ukhA heron on the shore is no wonder.
Cha
not
suaicheantas
a-wonder
corra
a-heron
air
on
cladach
shore
Is gorm na cnuic a tha fada bhuainn.is GORROM nuh KROO-eekhk uh HA FAT-uh VOO-inGreen are the hills that are far from us.
Is
is
gorm
green
na
the
cnuic
hills
a
that
tha
are
fada
far
bhuainn
from-us
Mol an deireadh.MOL un JER-ughPraise at the end.
Mol
praise
an
the
deireadh
end
Cha tèid nì sam bith san dòrn dhùinte.kha TCHAYJ NEE sum BEE sun DAWRN GHOON-tchuhNothing goes into a closed fist.
Cha
not
tèid
will-go
nì sam bith
anything
san
in-the
dòrn
fist
dhùinte
closed
Thig crìoch air an t-saoghal, ach mairidh gaol is ceòl.HEEK KREE-ukh er un TOO-ul, akh MAR-ee GOOL is KYAWLThe world will come to an end, but love and music will last.
Thig
will-come
crìoch
an-end
air
on
an
the
t-saoghal
world
ach
but
mairidh
will-last
gaol
love
is
and
ceòl
music
Is minig a rinn bò dhubh laogh breac.is MEEN-ik uh RAYN BAW GHOO LOOGH BREKHKA black cow has often had a speckled calf.
Is
is
minig
often
a
that
rinn
made
bò
a-cow
dhubh
black
laogh
a-calf
breac
speckled
Is dàna gach cù air a shitig fhèin.is DAA-nuh gakh KOO er uh HEE-tchik HAYNEvery dog is bold on its own midden.
Is
is
dàna
bold
gach
every
cù
dog
air
on
a
his
shitig
midden
fhèin
own
Ma 's math leat do mholadh, faigh bàs; ma 's math leat do chàineadh, pòs.ma SMA LAHT doh VOL-ugh, FAI BAAS; ma SMA LAHT doh KHAAN-yugh, PAWSIf you want to be praised, die; if you want to be criticised, marry.
Ma
if
's
is
math
good
leat
with-you
do
your
mholadh
praising
faigh
get
bàs
death
ma
if
's
is
math
good
leat
with-you
do
your
chàineadh
criticising
pòs
marry
Is lom an leac air nach criomadh tu bairneach.is LOWM un LYEKHK er nakh KREE-mugh too BAR-nyukhBare is the rock where you couldn't pick a limpet.
Is
is
lom
bare
an
the
leac
flat-rock
air
on
nach
that-not
criomadh
would-pick
tu
you
bairneach
a-limpet
Am fear nach cuir a shnaim, caillidh e a chiad ghreim.um FER nakh KOOR uh HNAIM, KAL-yee eh uh KHEE-ut GHRAYMHe who doesn't knot his thread loses his first stitch.
Am
the
fear
man
nach
who-won't
cuir
put
a
his
shnaim
knot
caillidh
will-lose
e
he
a
his
chiad
first
ghreim
stitch
Is fada cobhair bho Èirinn.is FAT-uh KO-ur voh AY-rinHelp from Ireland is a long way off.
Is
is
fada
far
cobhair
help
bho
from
Èirinn
Ireland
Chan fhiach cuirm gun a còmhradh.khan YEE-ukh KOOR-um goon uh KAW-ruhghA feast is worth nothing without its talk.
Chan
not
fhiach
worth
cuirm
a-feast
gun
without
a
its
còmhradh
conversation
Is luath fear na droch ghnothaich.is LOO-uh FER nuh DROKH GHRO-heekhThe man on a bad errand is quick.
Is
is
luath
quick
fear
the-man
na
of-the
droch
bad
ghnothaich
errand
Thig neart thar ceart.HEEK NYARSHT har KYARSHTMight comes over right.
Thig
comes
neart
might
thar
over
ceart
right
Ge fada an duan, ruigear a cheann.geh FAT-uh un DOO-un, ROO-ee-kur uh KHYOWNHowever long the poem, its end is reached.
Ge
though
fada
long
an
the
duan
poem
ruigear
is-reached
a
its
cheann
end
Cha tig luathas agus grinneas còmhla.kha TCHEEK LOO-uh-us AH-gus GREEN-yus KAW-luhSpeed and neatness don't come together.
Cha
not
tig
will-come
luathas
speed
agus
and
grinneas
neatness
còmhla
together
Is ann air a shon fhèin a nì an cat crònan.is OWN er uh HON HAYN uh NEE un KAHT KRAW-nanThe cat purrs for its own sake.
Is
it-is
ann
in
air a shon
for-his-sake
fhèin
own
a
that
nì
makes
an
the
cat
cat
crònan
purring
Cha dèan cridhe misgeach breug.kha JEE-un KREE-uh MEESH-kukh BREE-ukA drunken heart tells no lie.
Cha
not
dèan
will-make
cridhe
a-heart
misgeach
drunken
breug
a-lie
Is fheàrr a bhith dìomhain na bhith ri droch obair.is YAAR uh VEE JEE-uh-vin nuh VEE ree DROKH O-purBetter to be idle than doing bad work.
Is
is
fheàrr
better
a
to
bhith
be
dìomhain
idle
na
than
bhith
being
ri
at
droch
bad
obair
work
Is iomadh rud a chì am fear a bhios fada beò.is IM-ugh ROOT uh KHEE um FER uh VEES FAT-uh BYAWHe who lives long sees many things.
Is
is
iomadh
many
rud
a-thing
a
that
chì
sees
am
the
fear
man
a
who
bhios
is
fada
long
beò
alive
Bagair is na buail.BAK-ur is nuh BOO-ulThreaten, but don't strike.
Bagair
threaten
is
and
na
don't
buail
strike
Anmoch gu loch, moch gu abhainn, 's mu mheadhan latha na h-uillt.AN-umokh goo LOKH, MOKH goo AV-in, smoo VEE-un LA-uh nuh HOOILTCHLate to the loch, early to the river, and the burns at midday.
Anmoch
late
gu
to
loch
loch
moch
early
gu
to
abhainn
river
's
and
mu
about
mheadhan
the-middle
latha
of-day
na
the
h-uillt
burns
Aon bhò a bhriseas an gàrradh, 's a dhà dheug a leumas.OON VAW uh VREESH-us un GAA-rugh, suh GHAA YEE-uk uh LAY-musOne cow breaks the dyke, and twelve jump it.
Aon
one
bhò
cow
a
that
bhriseas
breaks
an
the
gàrradh
dyke
's
and
a dhà dheug
twelve
a
that
leumas
jump
Bàthaidh toll beag long mhòr.BAA-ee TOWL BEK LOWNG VOHRA little hole will sink a big ship.
Bàthaidh
will-sink
toll
a-hole
beag
little
long
a-ship
mhòr
big
Bheir aon fhear each gu uisge, ach cha toir dà fhear dheug air òl.VEHR OON ER EKH goo OOSH-kuh, akh kha TOR DAA ER YEE-uk er AWLOne man can bring a horse to water, but twelve can't make it drink.
Bheir
will-bring
aon
one
fhear
man
each
a-horse
gu
to
uisge
water
ach
but
cha
not
toir
will-make
dà fhear dheug
twelve-men
air
on
òl
drinking
Bheirear comhairle seachad, ach cha toirear giùlan.VEHR-ur KO-urlyuh SHAKH-ut, akh kha TOR-ur GYOO-lanAdvice can be given, but good conduct can't.
Bheirear
can-be-given
comhairle
advice
seachad
away
ach
but
cha
not
toirear
can-be-given
giùlan
conduct
Bi thusa a' bruidhinn, 's bidh na h-uighean agamsa.BEE HOO-suh uh BROO-yin, SBEE nuh HOO-yun AH-gum-suhYou keep talking, and I'll have the eggs.
Bi
be
thusa
you
a'
-ing
bruidhinn
talking
's
and
bidh
will-be
na
the
h-uighean
eggs
agamsa
at-me
Bidh breith luath lochdach.bee BREH LOO-uh LOKH-kukhA hasty judgement does harm.
Bidh
will-be
breith
a-judgement
luath
hasty
lochdach
harmful
Bidh cas an eòin ghòraich san ribe.bee KAS un YAWN GHAW-reekh sun REE-buhThe silly bird's foot ends up in the snare.
Bidh
will-be
cas
the-foot
an
of-the
eòin
bird
ghòraich
silly
san
in-the
ribe
snare
Bidh dùil ri fear-fairge, ach cha bhi ri fear-reilige.bee DOOL ree FER-FAR-ak-yuh, akh kha VEE ree FER-RAY-lik-yuhThere's hope for the man at sea, but none for the man in the graveyard.
Bidh
there-will-be
dùil
hope
ri
for
fear-fairge
a-man-at-sea
ach
but
cha
not
bhi
will-be
ri
for
fear-reilige
a-man-in-the-graveyard
Bidh fear na h-aon bhò uair gun bhainne.bee FER nuh HOON VAW OO-ur goon VAN-yuhThe man with one cow is sometimes without milk.
Bidh
will-be
fear
the-man
na
of-the
h-aon
one
bhò
cow
uair
sometimes
gun
without
bhainne
milk
Bidh na gobhair bodhar as t-fhoghar.bee nuh GO-ur BOH-ur us TOH-urThe goats are deaf at harvest.
Bidh
will-be
na
the
gobhair
goats
bodhar
deaf
as t-fhoghar
in-autumn
Bidh nàdar a' choin mhòir sa chuilean.bee NAA-tur uh KHON VOHR suh KHOO-lanThe big dog's nature is in the pup.
Bidh
will-be
nàdar
the-nature
a'
of-the
choin
dog
mhòir
big
sa
in-the
chuilean
pup
Bidh gach fear a' tarraing uisge gu a mhuileann fhèin.bee gakh FER uh TAR-ing OOSH-kuh goo uh VOOL-yun HAYNEvery man draws water to his own mill.
Bidh
will-be
gach
every
fear
man
a'
-ing
tarraing
drawing
uisge
water
gu
to
a
his
mhuileann
mill
fhèin
own
Biodh e dubh no odhar no donn, 's toigh leis a' ghobhar a meann.BEE-ugh eh DOO no OH-ur no DOWN, STOY LESH uh GHO-ur uh MYOWNBlack, dun or brown, the goat loves her own kid.
Biodh
let-be
e
it
dubh
black
no
or
odhar
dun
no
or
donn
brown
's toigh
likes
leis a'
with-the
ghobhar
goat
a
her
meann
kid
Bu cheannach leam d'ugh air do ghloc.boo KHYAN-ukh LOWM DOO er doh GHLOKHKYour egg is dear to me at the price of all that cackling.
Bu
would-be
cheannach
dear
leam
to-me
d'ugh
your-egg
air
for
do
your
ghloc
cackling
Bu cho math dol a dh'iasgach gun mhaorach 's dol a chùirt gun sporan.boo kho MA DOL uh YEE-us-kukh goon VOO-rukh SDOL uh KHOORSHTCH goon SPOR-anYou might as well go fishing without bait as go to court without a purse.
Bu
would-be
cho math
as-well
dol
going
a
to
dh'iasgach
fishing
gun
without
mhaorach
bait
's
as
dol
going
a
to
chùirt
court
gun
without
sporan
a-purse
Bu dual don bhlàthaich tòchd an ìm.boo DOO-ul don VLAA-heekh TAWKHK un EEMIt's natural for buttermilk to smell of butter.
Bu
was
dual
natural
don
for-the
bhlàthaich
buttermilk
tòchd
the-smell
an
of-the
ìm
butter
Buail an t-iarann fhad 's a tha e teth.BOO-ul un TCHEE-uh-run AT suh HA eh TCHEHStrike the iron while it's hot.
Buail
strike
an
the
t-iarann
iron
fhad 's a
while
tha
is
e
it
teth
hot
Buail do chuilean, agus 's ann thugad a ruitheas e.BOO-ul doh KHOO-lan, AH-gus SOWN HOO-gut uh ROO-yus ehBeat your pup, and it's to you he'll run.
Buail
strike
do
your
chuilean
pup
agus
and
's ann
it's
thugad
to-you
a
that
ruitheas
runs
e
he
Buainidh aon fhacal ceud.BOO-an-ee OON AKH-kul KEE-utOne word will reap a hundred.
Buainidh
will-reap
aon
one
fhacal
word
ceud
a-hundred
Buannaichear buaidh le foighidinn.BOO-un-eekh-ur BOO-ee leh FOY-uh-jinVictory is won by patience.
Buannaichear
is-won
buaidh
victory
le
with
foighidinn
patience
Brisidh an teanga bhog an cnàimh.BREESH-ee un TCHENG-uh VOK un KRAA-eevThe soft tongue breaks the bone.
Brisidh
will-break
an
the
teanga
tongue
bhog
soft
an
the
cnàimh
bone
Brìgh gach cluiche gu a dheireadh.BREE gakh KLOO-ikh-yuh goo uh YER-ughThe point of every game is at its end.
Brìgh
the-substance
gach
of-every
cluiche
game
gu
to
a
its
dheireadh
end
Bhon is tu a mharcaich an t-each, crùidh e.vohn is TOO uh VARK-eekh un TCHEKH, KROO-ee ehSince you rode the horse, shoe it.
Bhon
since
is
it-is
tu
you
a
who
mharcaich
rode
an
the
t-each
horse
crùidh
shoe
e
it
Bhon a rinn mi an t-òirleach, nì mi an rèis.vohn uh RAYN mee un TAWR-lyukh, NEE mee un RAYSHSince I've made the inch, I'll make the span.
Bhon
since
a
that
rinn
made
mi
I
an
the
t-òirleach
inch
nì
will-make
mi
I
an
the
rèis
span
Bhuail thu an tarrang air a ceann.VOO-ul oo un TAR-ung er uh KYOWNYou've hit the nail on the head.
Bhuail
struck
thu
you
an
the
tarrang
nail
air
on
a
its
ceann
head
B' fheàrr a bhith gun bhreith na bhith gun teagasg.BYAAR uh VEE goon VREH nuh VEE goon TCHEH-kuskBetter unborn than untaught.
B'
would-be
fheàrr
better
a
to
bhith
be
gun
without
bhreith
birth
na
than
bhith
be
gun
without
teagasg
teaching
B' fheàrr a bhith gun fhàinne na fàinne luachrach.BYAAR uh VEE goon AAN-yuh nuh FAAN-yuh LOO-ukh-rukhBetter no ring than a ring of rushes.
B'
would-be
fheàrr
better
a
to
bhith
be
gun
without
fhàinne
a-ring
na
than
fàinne
a-ring
luachrach
of-rushes
B' fheàrr a bhith sàmhach na droch dhàn a ghabhail.BYAAR uh VEE SAA-vukh nuh DROKH GHAAN uh GHAV-alBetter to be silent than to sing a bad song.
B'
would-be
fheàrr
better
a
to
bhith
be
sàmhach
quiet
na
than
droch
bad
dhàn
a-song
a
to
ghabhail
sing
B' fheàrr a leth an-dè na gu lèir an-diugh.BYAAR uh LYEH un-JAY nuh goo LYAYR un-JOOBetter half of it yesterday than all of it today.
B'
would-be
fheàrr
better
a
its
leth
half
an-dè
yesterday
na
than
gu lèir
all
an-diugh
today
B' fheàrr leam fhaicinn na chluinntinn.BYAAR LOWM AIKH-kin nuh KHLOO-een-tchinI'd rather see it than hear about it.
B'
would-be
fheàrr
better
leam
with-me
fhaicinn
seeing-it
na
than
chluinntinn
hearing-it
Beathaich thusa mise an-diugh, is beathaichidh mise thusa a-màireach.BEH-heekh HOO-suh MEE-shuh un-JOO, is BEH-heekh-ee MEE-shuh HOO-suh uh-MAA-rukhFeed me today, and I'll feed you tomorrow.
Beathaich
feed
thusa
you
mise
me
an-diugh
today
is
and
beathaichidh
will-feed
mise
I
thusa
you
a-màireach
tomorrow
Beiridh am beag tric air a' mhòr ainneamh.BEH-ree um BEK TREEKHK er uh VOHR AN-yuvThe little and often will catch up with the big and seldom.
Beiridh
will-catch
am
the
beag
small
tric
often
air
on
a'
the
mhòr
big
ainneamh
seldom
Caidlidh duine air gach cneadh ach a chneadh fhèin.KATCH-lee DOO-nyuh er gakh KRYEGH akh uh KHRYEGH HAYNA person can sleep on every wound but their own.
Caidlidh
will-sleep
duine
a-person
air
on
gach
every
cneadh
wound
ach
but
a
his
chneadh
wound
fhèin
own
Caith mar a gheibh, is gheibh mar a chaitheas.KAH mar uh YAYV, is YAYV mar uh KHAH-yusSpend as you get, and you'll get as you spend.
Caith
spend
mar a
as
gheibh
you-get
is
and
gheibh
you'll-get
mar a
as
chaitheas
you-spend
Call caraid tadhal tric, is call caraid tadhal ainneamh.KOWL KAR-itch TUH-ul TREEKHK, is KOWL KAR-itch TUH-ul AN-yuvCalling too often loses a friend, and so does calling too seldom.
Call
the-loss
caraid
of-a-friend
tadhal
visiting
tric
often
is
and
call
the-loss
caraid
of-a-friend
tadhal
visiting
ainneamh
seldom
Ceangail teann is faigh tèarainte.KYENG-ul TCHOWN is FAI TCHAA-run-tchuhTie it tight and find it safe.
Ceangail
tie
teann
tight
is
and
faigh
find
tèarainte
safe
Ceannaich mar d'fheum is reic mar d'ailgheas.KYAN-eekh mar DYAYM is REHKHK mar DAL-uh-yusBuy as you need, and sell as you please.
Ceannaich
buy
mar
as
d'fheum
your-need
is
and
reic
sell
mar
as
d'ailgheas
your-pleasure
Cha b' e am muileann nach meileadh, ach an t-uisge nach ruitheadh.kha BEH um MOOL-yun nakh MAY-lugh, akh un TOOSH-kuh nakh ROO-yughIt wasn't the mill that wouldn't grind, but the water that wouldn't run.
Cha
not
b'
was
e
it
am
the
muileann
mill
nach
that-wouldn't
meileadh
grind
ach
but
an
the
t-uisge
water
nach
that-wouldn't
ruitheadh
run
Cha b' e là na gaoithe là nan sgolb.kha BEH LAA nuh GOO-yuh LAA nun SKOLOPThe windy day is not the day for thatching.
Cha
not
b'
was
e
it
là
the-day
na
of-the
gaoithe
wind
là
the-day
nan
of-the
sgolb
thatching-pins
Cha bheir gad air aithreachas.kha VEHR GAT er AH-rukh-usA withy rope won't catch regret.
Cha
not
bheir
will-catch
gad
a-withy
air
on
aithreachas
regret
Cha bheir lagh air èiginn.kha VEHR LUGH er AY-kinThe law can't overtake need.
Cha
not
bheir
will-catch
lagh
law
air
on
èiginn
need
Cha bhi each-iasaid a-chaoidh sgìth.kha VEE EKH-EE-us-itch uh-KHOO-ee SKEEA borrowed horse never tires.
Cha
not
bhi
will-be
each-iasaid
a-borrowed-horse
a-chaoidh
ever
sgìth
tired
Cha bhi fios air a' chràdh gus an tig e.kha VEE FISS er uh KHRAAGH goos un TCHEEK ehPain isn't known until it comes.
Cha
not
bhi
will-be
fios
knowledge
air a'
of-the
chràdh
pain
gus an
until
tig
comes
e
it
Cha bhi fios air math an tobair gus an tràigh e.kha VEE FISS er MA un TOH-pir goos un TRAA-ee ehThe worth of the well isn't known until it runs dry.
Cha
not
bhi
will-be
fios
knowledge
air
of
math
the-good
an
of-the
tobair
well
gus an
until
tràigh
ebbs
e
it
Cha bhi miann dithis air an aon mhias.kha VEE MEE-un JEE-ish er un OON VEE-usTwo people's appetites won't be on the same dish.
Cha
not
bhi
will-be
miann
the-desire
dithis
of-two
air
on
an
the
aon
one
mhias
dish
Cha bhi nàire air a' ghortach.kha VEE NAA-ruh er uh GHOR-shtukhThe starving have no shame.
Cha
not
bhi
will-be
nàire
shame
air a'
on-the
ghortach
starving
Cha bhi suaimhneas aig eucoir, no seasamh aig droch bheart.kha VEE SOO-uv-nyus ek AY-kur, no SHES-uv ek DROKH VYARSHTWrong gets no rest, and a bad deed doesn't stand.
Cha
not
bhi
will-be
suaimhneas
rest
aig
at
eucoir
wrong
no
nor
seasamh
standing
aig
at
droch
bad
bheart
deed
Cha chaillear na thèid an cunnart.kha KHAL-yur nuh HAYJ un KOON-urstNot everything in danger is lost.
Cha
not
chaillear
is-lost
na
what
thèid
goes
an
in
cunnart
danger
Cha chaochail dubh a dhath.kha KHOO-khul DOO uh GHABlack never changes its colour.
Cha
not
chaochail
will-change
dubh
black
a
its
dhath
colour
Cha charaid ach caraid na h-airce.kha KHAR-itch akh KAR-itch nuh HAR-kyuhThe only friend is the friend in need.
Cha
not
charaid
a-friend
ach
but
caraid
the-friend
na
of-the
h-airce
need
Cha cheil amadan a bheachd.kha KHYAYL AM-uh-tan uh VYEKHKA fool can't hide his thoughts.
Cha
not
cheil
will-hide
amadan
a-fool
a
his
bheachd
opinion
Cha cheil gruaidh cuaradh cridhe.kha KHYAYL GROO-uh-ee KOO-ur-ugh KREE-uhThe cheek can't hide a hurt heart.
Cha
not
cheil
will-hide
gruaidh
a-cheek
cuaradh
the-pain
cridhe
of-a-heart
Cha chinn còinneach air clach an udalain.kha KHEEN KAWN-yukh er KLAKH un OO-tul-inMoss won't grow on a stone that's always turned.
Cha
not
chinn
will-grow
còinneach
moss
air
on
clach
the-stone
an
of-the
udalain
turning
Cha chinn feur air an rathad mhòr.kha KHEEN FEE-ur er un RA-hut VOHRGrass won't grow on the highway.
Cha
not
chinn
will-grow
feur
grass
air
on
an
the
rathad
road
mhòr
big
Cha chòir goisinn a chur an rathad an doill.kha KHAWR GOSH-in uh KHOOR un RA-hut un DOYLNo one should set a snare in a blind man's path.
Cha
not
chòir
right
goisinn
a-snare
a
to
chur
put
an
in
rathad
the-way
an
of-the
doill
blind-man
Cha chreid an òige gun tig an aois, 's cha chreid an aois gun tig am bàs.kha KHRAYJ un AW-ik-yuh goon TCHEEK un OOSH, skha KHRAYJ un OOSH goon TCHEEK um BAASYouth won't believe that age will come, nor age that death will.
Cha
not
chreid
will-believe
an
the
òige
youth
gun
that
tig
will-come
an
the
aois
age
's
and
cha
not
chreid
will-believe
an
the
aois
age
gun
that
tig
will-come
am
the
bàs
death
Cha chreidear an fhìrinn bho bheul nam breug.kha KHRAY-jur un EE-rin voh VEE-ul num BREE-ukThe truth isn't believed from a lying mouth.
Cha
not
chreidear
is-believed
an
the
fhìrinn
truth
bho
from
bheul
the-mouth
nam
of-the
breug
lies
Cha chuir duine a chall na sporan.kha KHOOR DOO-nyuh uh KHOWL nuh SPOR-anA person can't put their loss in their purse.
Cha
not
chuir
will-put
duine
a-person
a
his
chall
loss
na
in-his
sporan
purse
Cha chùm an soitheach ach a làn.kha KHOOM un SO-yukh akh uh LAANThe vessel holds only its fill.
Cha
not
chùm
will-hold
an
the
soitheach
vessel
ach
but
a
its
làn
fill
Cha daor am biadh ma gheibhear e.kha DOOR um BEE-ugh ma YAYV-ur ehFood isn't dear if it can be had.
Cha
not
daor
dear
am
the
biadh
food
ma
if
gheibhear
is-got
e
it
Cha dèan a' ghlòir bhòidheach an t-amadan sàthach.kha JEE-un uh GHLAWR VAW-yukh un TAM-uh-tan SAA-hukhFine talk won't fill a fool.
Cha
not
dèan
will-make
a'
the
ghlòir
talk
bhòidheach
pretty
an
the
t-amadan
fool
sàthach
full
Cha dèan a' phluic a' phìobaireachd.kha JEE-un uh FLOOIKHK uh FEE-pur-ukhkPuffed cheeks don't make piping.
Cha
not
dèan
will-make
a'
the
phluic
puffed-cheek
a'
the
phìobaireachd
piping
Cha dèan aon cheirein duine slàn, 's cha dèan aon sàth duine reamhar.kha JEE-un OON KHYER-en DOO-nyuh SLAAN, skha JEE-un OON SAA DOO-nyuh RAV-urOne poultice won't cure a man, nor one feed make him fat.
Cha
not
dèan
will-make
aon
one
cheirein
poultice
duine
a-man
slàn
well
's
and
cha
not
dèan
will-make
aon
one
sàth
feed
duine
a-man
reamhar
fat
Cha dèan brògan tioram iasgach.kha JEE-un BRAW-kun TCHIR-um EE-us-kukhDry shoes won't catch fish.
Cha
not
dèan
will-do
brògan
shoes
tioram
dry
iasgach
fishing
Cha dèan cas luath maorach.kha JEE-un KAS LOO-uh MOO-rukhA hasty foot won't gather shellfish.
Cha
not
dèan
will-get
cas
a-foot
luath
quick
maorach
shellfish
Cha dèan corrag mhilis ìm, no glaimsear càise.kha JEE-un KOR-ak VEE-lish EEM, no GLAIM-shur KAA-shuhA sweet finger won't make butter, nor a glutton cheese.
Cha
not
dèan
will-make
corrag
a-finger
mhilis
sweet
ìm
butter
no
nor
glaimsear
a-glutton
càise
cheese
Cha dèan cù sàthach sealg.kha JEE-un KOO SAA-hukh SHAL-ukA full dog won't hunt.
Cha
not
dèan
will-do
cù
a-dog
sàthach
full
sealg
hunting
Cha dèan duine dona ach a dhìcheall.kha JEE-un DOO-nyuh DON-uh akh uh YEE-khyulA poor fellow can only do his best.
Cha
not
dèan
will-do
duine
a-man
dona
poor
ach
but
a
his
dhìcheall
best
Cha dèan fear an sporain fhalaimh ach beag fàrum san taigh-òsta.kha JEE-un FER un SPOR-in AL-iv akh BEK FAA-rum sun TAI-AW-stuhThe man with the empty purse makes little noise in the inn.
Cha
not
dèan
will-make
fear
the-man
an
of-the
sporain
purse
fhalaimh
empty
ach
but
beag
little
fàrum
noise
san
in-the
taigh-òsta
inn
Cha dèan goile acrach casaid air a' bhiadh.kha JEE-un GOL-yuh AHK-rukh KAS-itch er uh VEE-ughA hungry stomach doesn't complain about the food.
Cha
not
dèan
will-make
goile
a-stomach
acrach
hungry
casaid
complaint
air a'
about-the
bhiadh
food
Cha dèan thusa toll nach cuir mise cnag ann.kha JEE-un HOO-suh TOWL nakh KOOR MEE-shuh KRAK OWNYou won't make a hole that I can't put a peg in.
Cha
not
dèan
will-make
thusa
you
toll
a-hole
nach
that-won't
cuir
put
mise
I
cnag
a-peg
ann
in-it
Cha dèanar duine glic ach air a chosgais fhèin.kha JEE-un-ur DOO-nyuh GLEEKHK akh er uh KHOS-kish HAYNNo one is made wise except at their own cost.
Cha
not
dèanar
is-made
duine
a-person
glic
wise
ach
but
air
at
a
his
chosgais
cost
fhèin
own
Cha dèanar math gun mhulad.kha JEE-un-ur MA goon VOO-lutGood isn't done without grief.
Cha
not
dèanar
is-done
math
good
gun
without
mhulad
sorrow
Cha dèanar seabhag den chlamhan.kha JEE-un-ur SHAV-ak jen KHLA-vunYou can't make a hawk out of a kite.
Cha
not
dèanar
is-made
seabhag
a-hawk
den
of-the
chlamhan
kite
Cha d'eug duine beairteach riamh gun dìleabach.kha JAYK DOO-nyuh BYARSHT-yukh REE-uv goon JEE-lyuh-pukhNo rich man ever died without an heir.
Cha
not
d'eug
died
duine
a-man
beairteach
rich
riamh
ever
gun
without
dìleabach
an-heir
Cha d'fhuair duine riamh a thuarastal gus an do choisinn e e.kha DOO-ur DOO-nyuh REE-uv uh HOO-ur-us-tul goos un doh KHOSH-in eh ehNo one ever got their wages until they had earned them.
Cha
not
d'fhuair
got
duine
a-man
riamh
ever
a
his
thuarastal
wages
gus an
until
do
did
choisinn
earn
e
he
e
them
Cha d'fhuair sùil ghionach riamh cunnradh math.kha DOO-ur SOOL YIN-ukh REE-uv KOON-rugh MAA greedy eye never got a good bargain.
Cha
not
d'fhuair
got
sùil
an-eye
ghionach
greedy
riamh
ever
cunnradh
a-bargain
math
good
Cha d'fhuaradh an donas riamh marbh air cùl gàrraidh.kha DOO-ur-ugh un DON-us REE-uv MAR-uv er KOOL GAA-reeThe devil was never found dead behind a dyke.
Cha
not
d'fhuaradh
was-found
an
the
donas
devil
riamh
ever
marbh
dead
air cùl
behind
gàrraidh
a-dyke
Cha d'fhuiling fuachd nach d'fhuair teas.kha DOO-ling FOO-ukhk nakh DOO-ur TCHASNo one suffered cold who didn't then get warmth.
Cha
not
d'fhuiling
suffered
fuachd
cold
nach
who-didn't
d'fhuair
get
teas
heat
Cha do bhris modh ceann duine riamh.kha doh VREESH MOH KYOWN DOO-nyuh REE-uvGood manners never broke anyone's head.
Cha do
did-not
bhris
break
modh
manners
ceann
the-head
duine
of-a-man
riamh
ever
Cha do chaill na thoiseach nach do bhuannaich na dheireadh.kha doh KHAYL nuh HOSH-ukh nakh doh VOO-un-eekh nuh YER-ughNo one lost at the start who didn't win at the end.
Cha do
did-not
chaill
lose
na thoiseach
at-his-start
nach do
who-didn't
bhuannaich
win
na dheireadh
at-his-end
Cha do chliath thu na threabh mise fhathast.kha doh KHLEE-uh oo nuh HREV MEE-shuh HA-hustYou haven't yet harrowed what I've ploughed.
Cha do
did-not
chliath
harrow
thu
you
na
what
threabh
ploughed
mise
I
fhathast
yet
Cha do chuir Dia riamh beul chun an t-saoghail gun a chuid fa chomhair.kha doh KHOOR JEE-uh REE-uv BEE-ul khoon un TOO-ul goon uh KHOOJ fuh KHO-urGod never sent a mouth into the world without its share alongside.
Cha do
did-not
chuir
send
Dia
God
riamh
ever
beul
a-mouth
chun
to
an
the
t-saoghail
world
gun
without
a
its
chuid
share
fa chomhair
before-it
Cha do dhùin doras nach do dh'fhosgail doras.kha doh GHOON DOR-us nakh doh GHOS-kul DOR-usNo door ever closed without another opening.
Cha do
did-not
dhùin
close
doras
a-door
nach do
that-didn't
dh'fhosgail
open
doras
a-door
Cha do rinn uisge glan riamh leann math.kha doh RAYN OOSH-kuh GLAN REE-uv LYOWN MAClean water never made good ale.
Cha do
did-not
rinn
make
uisge
water
glan
clean
riamh
ever
leann
ale
math
good
Cha do shoirbhich dithis riamh air an aon chnoc.kha doh HOR-uv-eekh JEE-ish REE-uv er un OON KHROKHKTwo never prospered on the same hill.
Cha do
did-not
shoirbhich
prosper
dithis
two
riamh
ever
air
on
an
the
aon
one
chnoc
hill
Cha tàinig iasg às a' chuan nach eil cho math ann.kha TAA-nik EE-usk AHS uh KHOO-un nakh YEL kho MA OWNNo fish ever came out of the sea without one as good left in it.
Cha
not
tàinig
came
iasg
a-fish
às a'
out-of-the
chuan
ocean
nach eil
that-isn't
cho math
as-good
ann
in-it
Cha do threabh thu an t-iomair a tha romhad fhathast.kha doh HREV oo un TCHUM-ir uh HA ROH-ut HA-hustYou haven't yet ploughed the ridge that's ahead of you.
Cha do
did-not
threabh
plough
thu
you
an
the
t-iomair
ridge
a
that
tha
is
romhad
before-you
fhathast
yet
Cha tug gaol luath nach tug fuath clis.kha TOOK GOOL LOO-uh nakh TOOK FOO-uh KLEESHHasty love brings sudden hate.
Cha
not
tug
gave
gaol
love
luath
quick
nach
that-didn't
tug
give
fuath
hate
clis
sudden
Cha duine glic a dh'innseas tric an-shocair.kha DOO-nyuh GLEEKHK uh YEEN-shus TREEKHK un-HOKH-kirHe isn't wise who often tells his troubles.
Cha
not
duine
a-man
glic
wise
a
who
dh'innseas
tells
tric
often
an-shocair
his-discomfort
Cha duine glic a thèid tric don bhaile mhòr.kha DOO-nyuh GLEEKHK uh HAYJ TREEKHK don VAL-uh VOHRHe isn't wise who often goes to the city.
Cha
not
duine
a-man
glic
wise
a
who
thèid
goes
tric
often
don
to-the
bhaile mhòr
city
Cha mhair a' bhreug ach rè seal.kha VAR uh VREE-uk akh RAY SHALA lie lasts only a while.
Cha
not
mhair
will-last
a'
the
bhreug
lie
ach
but
rè
for
seal
a-while
Cha mheallar am fear glic ach aon uair.kha VYAL-ur um FER GLEEKHK akh OON OO-urThe wise man is fooled only once.
Cha
not
mheallar
is-deceived
am
the
fear
man
glic
wise
ach
but
aon uair
once
Cha mhiste gnìomh math a dhèanamh dà uair.kha VEESH-tchuh GREE-uv MA uh YEE-un-uv DAA OO-urA good deed is none the worse for being done twice.
Cha
not
mhiste
the-worse
gnìomh
a-deed
math
good
a
to
dhèanamh
do
dà uair
twice
Cha mhiste sgeul math aithris dà uair.kha VEESH-tchuh SKEE-ul MA AH-rish DAA OO-urA good story is none the worse for being told twice.
Cha
not
mhiste
the-worse
sgeul
a-story
math
good
aithris
telling
dà uair
twice
Cha mhol duine a sheud 's e aige.kha VOL DOO-nyuh uh HAYT SHEH EK-yuhNo one praises their treasure while they have it.
Cha
not
mhol
will-praise
duine
a-person
a
his
sheud
jewel
's
while
e
it
aige
at-him
Chan ann gun fhios carson a bheireas a' chearc ugh.khan OWN goon ISS kar-SON uh VEHR-us uh KHYARK OOIt's not for nothing that the hen lays an egg.
Chan ann
it-is-not
gun
without
fhios
knowing
carson
why
a
that
bheireas
lays
a'
the
chearc
hen
ugh
an-egg
Chan e cruadhachadh na h-àtha sealltainn fòipe.khan YEH KROO-ukh-ugh nuh HAA-huh SHOWL-tin FAW-ee-puhLooking under the kiln won't dry the grain.
Chan e
it-is-not
cruadhachadh
the-hardening
na
of-the
h-àtha
kiln
sealltainn
looking
fòipe
under-it
Chan e faighinn na feudalach as miosa, ach a cumail an dèidh a faotainn.khan YEH FAI-in nuh FAY-tul-ukh us MEE-suh, akh uh KOO-mal un JAY uh FOO-tinGetting the cattle isn't the hard part, but keeping them once you have them.
Chan e
it-is-not
faighinn
getting
na
the
feudalach
cattle
as
most
miosa
bad
ach
but
a
its
cumail
keeping
an dèidh
after
a
its
faotainn
getting
Chan e gogadh nan ceann a nì an t-iomradh.khan YEH GOK-ugh nun KYOWN uh NEE un TCHUM-rughIt's not the nodding of heads that does the rowing.
Chan e
it-is-not
gogadh
the-nodding
nan
of-the
ceann
heads
a
that
nì
does
an
the
t-iomradh
rowing
Chan e mo charaid a nì m'aimhleas.khan YEH moh KHAR-itch uh NEE MAI-lyusHe who harms me is no friend of mine.
Chan e
it-is-not
mo
my
charaid
friend
a
who
nì
does
m'aimhleas
my-harm
Chan e na chosnar a nì saoibhir, ach na chaomhnar.khan YEH nuh KHOS-nur uh NEE SOO-ee-vir, akh nuh KHOOV-nurIt's not what's earned that makes you rich, but what's saved.
Chan e
it-is-not
na
what
chosnar
is-earned
a
that
nì
makes
saoibhir
rich
ach
but
na
what
chaomhnar
is-saved
Chan e na dh'ithear a nì làidir, ach na chnàmhar.khan YEH nuh YEE-hur uh NEE LAA-jir, akh nuh KHRAA-vurIt's not what's eaten that makes you strong, but what's digested.
Chan e
it-is-not
na
what
dh'ithear
is-eaten
a
that
nì
makes
làidir
strong
ach
but
na
what
chnàmhar
is-digested
Chan e na leughar a nì foghlaimte, ach na chuimhnichear.khan YEH nuh LYAY-ur uh NEE FOH-lum-tchuh, akh nuh KHOO-ee-nyeekh-urIt's not what's read that makes you learned, but what's remembered.
Chan e
it-is-not
na
what
leughar
is-read
a
that
nì
makes
foghlaimte
learned
ach
but
na
what
chuimhnichear
is-remembered
Chan e sealbh na faodalach a faotainn.khan YEH SHAL-av nuh FOO-tul-ukh uh FOO-tinFinding a thing isn't owning it.
Chan e
it-is-not
sealbh
the-ownership
na
of-the
faodalach
found-thing
a
its
faotainn
finding
Chan eil àite am bi meall nach bi fasgadh mu a bhonn.khan YEL AA-tchuh um BEE MYOWL nakh BEE FAS-kugh moo uh VOWNWherever there's a hill, there's shelter at its foot.
Chan eil
there-isn't
àite
a-place
am bi
where-is
meall
a-hill
nach bi
that-hasn't
fasgadh
shelter
mu
about
a
its
bhonn
foot
Caithidh bò ri bleoghann, agus each ri treabhadh.KAH-ee BAW ree BLYAW-un, AH-gus EKH ree TREV-ughA cow wears out with milking, and a horse with ploughing.
Caithidh
will-wear
bò
a-cow
ri
with
bleoghann
milking
agus
and
each
a-horse
ri
with
treabhadh
ploughing
Caomhain, is cò dha? Cuimhnich am bàs.KOO-vin, is KAW ghah? KOO-ee-nyeekh um BAASSave — and for whom? Remember death.
Caomhain
save
is
and
cò
who
dha
for
Cuimhnich
remember
am
the
bàs
death
Ceann nathrach is earball peucaig air an earrach.KYOWN NA-rukh is YAR-ub-ul PAY-kik er un YAR-ukhSpring has a serpent's head and a peacock's tail.
Ceann
the-head
nathrach
of-a-serpent
is
and
earball
the-tail
peucaig
of-a-peacock
air
on
an
the
earrach
spring
Bidh mìr a' ghille easgaidh air gach mias.bee MEER uh YEEL-yuh ES-kee er gakh MEE-usThe willing lad's share is on every dish.
Bidh
will-be
mìr
the-portion
a'
of-the
ghille
lad
easgaidh
willing
air
on
gach
every
mias
dish
Bu ghèar an cù a bheireadh an t-earball uaithe.boo YAYR un KOO uh VEHR-ugh un TCHAR-ub-ul OO-uh-huhIt would be a sharp dog that could take the tail off him.
Bu
would-be
ghèar
sharp
an
the
cù
dog
a
that
bheireadh
would-take
an
the
t-earball
tail
uaithe
from-him
Bidh gach nì mar as àill le Dia.bee gakh NEE mar us AAL leh JEE-uhEverything will be as God wills.
Bidh
will-be
gach
every
nì
thing
mar
as
as àill
pleases
le
with
Dia
God
Cha mhac mar an t-athair thu.kha VAHKHK mar un TA-hir ooYou're not the son your father was.
Cha
not
mhac
a-son
mar
like
an
the
t-athair
father
thu
you
Cha dèan mi dà chliamhainn dom aon nighinn.kha JEE-un mee DAA KHLEE-uv-in dom OON NEE-inI won't make two sons-in-law for my one daughter.
Cha
not
dèan
will-make
mi
I
dà
two
chliamhainn
sons-in-law
dom
for-my
aon
one
nighinn
daughter
Cha dèanar leas caraid gun saothair.kha JEE-un-ur LYES KAR-itch goon SOO-hirA friend can't be helped without trouble.
Cha
not
dèanar
is-done
leas
the-good
caraid
of-a-friend
gun
without
saothair
toil
Bheir ao-dòchas misneachd do ghealtair.VEHR OO-DAW-khus MEESH-nyukhk doh YAL-tirDespair gives courage to a coward.
Bheir
will-give
ao-dòchas
despair
misneachd
courage
do
to
ghealtair
a-coward
Bheir duine glic breith bliadhna air fear na h-aon oidhche.VEHR DOO-nyuh GLEEKHK BREH BLEE-uh-nuh er FER nuh HOON OY-khyuhA wise man can judge a man for a year from one night in his company.
Bheir
will-give
duine
a-man
glic
wise
breith
judgement
bliadhna
of-a-year
air
on
fear
the-man
na
of-the
h-aon
one
oidhche
night
Cha dìol toileach fiach.kha JEE-ul TOL-yukh FEE-ukhBeing willing pays no debt.
Cha
not
dìol
will-pay
toileach
willing
fiach
a-debt

gun (without) is followed by an unchanged noun; is in is math and is binn is the copula saying what something is — see the other verb to be.