Here we present a series of idiomatic Gaelic phrases.
There are many idomatic phrases based on parts of the body. Here are some based on the word ceann meaning head.
air a cheann direach |
head first |
cha do thog e ceann |
it/he never turned up |
às a cheann fhèin |
of his own volition |
air a cheann fhèin |
for himself (Used when a person is self employed) |
leig/chuir mi mo cheann fodham |
I had a rest/ I put my head down |
ceann-cinnidh |
a clan chief |
ceann-suidhe |
a chairman |
leth-cheann |
a cheek (i.e. a half-head) |
ceann-clò |
a naive person (i.e. a tweed-head!) |
duine fada 'na cheann |
a stubborn person |
Here are more phrases based on the word ceann meaning end. |
|
ceann an taighe |
the end of the house |
ceann na leap' |
the bedhead |
ceann caol |
the narrow end - prow of a boat |
o cheann gu ceann |
from end to end |
an ceann seachdain |
at the end of the week |
ceann an rathaid |
The end of the road |
Cum ceann a'mhaide ris |
keep the end of the stick to him |
More expressions based on the body
Thug e a chasan leis |
He ran off (He took his feet with him) |
Rug e air làimh orm |
He shook hands with me (He caught my hand) |
Tha sin agam air mo theangaidh |
I know that off b y heart (I have that on my tongue) |
Thug e dòrn dhomh |
He punched me (He gave me a fist) |
Tha tusa le do chab air do ghualainn |
You talk too much/You can't keep a secret (Your mouth is on your shoulder) |
Cha leaghadh an t-ìm na bheul |
Butter wouldn't melt in his mouth |
Thug e droch bheul dhomh |
He verbally abused me (He gave me a bad mouth) |
'Sann ort a tha an aghaidh! |
The cheek of you! (What a face is on you!) |
Dhùin e an doras air mo shròn |
He shut the door in my face (He shut the door on my nose) |
Ciamar a tha sibh? Here are some answers.
Cha robh mi riamh cho math |
I've never been better |
Chan eil adhbhar a bhith a' gearain |
No cause for complaint (There is no reason to complain) |
Chan eil ach meadhanach |
Only middling /so-so |
Tha mi beò air èiginn |
I'm barely alive |
Chan eil ach bochd |
I'm in a poor way |
Chan eil ach truagh! |
Just terrible! |
Chan eil gu ri radh |
No complaints (There is nothing to say) |
Is math mar a tha |
Good |
Tha an teas a'cur orm! |
The heat is bothering me/getting me down! |
Feast days and holidays in Gaelic
Samh.30 Là Naoimh Anndrais |
St. Andrew's Day |
Dùbh. 6 Latha Bodach na Nollaige |
St. Nicholas' Day |
Dùbh. 21 Grianstad a'Gheamhraidh |
Winter Solstice |
Dùbh. An Nollaig (fem.) [na Nollaig/e] |
Christmas |
Dùbh. 24 Oidhche nam Bannag/Oidhche Nollaige |
Christmas Eve |
Dùbh. 25 Latha na Nollaige/Oidhche Nollaige |
Christmas Day/Christmas Night |
Nollaig Chridheil |
Merry Christmas |
Dùbh. 26 Là Naoimh Steafain |
St. Stephen's Day |
Dùbh. 28 Là Fèill nan Leanaban Neochiontach |
Feast of the Holy Innocents |
Dùbh. 31 Oidhche Challainn |
Hogmanay/ New Year's Eve |
Fao. 1 Là na Bliadhn'Uire |
New Year's Day |
Bliadhna Mhath Ùr! |
Happy New Year |
Tha mòran gnàthasan-cainnte Gaidhealach mar gnàthasan-cainnte Bheurla, ach tha iomadach èile aedar-dhealaichte.
Seo beagan.
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Originally published in ATG issue 78 September 2007 (Aireamh 78 An t-Sultain 2007)
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