A big, tall, sturdy Scotsman
Fear mòr àrd tapaidh Albannach
We saw the question Cò ris a tha … coltach? (What is … like) in A1 and A2.
Cò ris a tha an duine sin coltach?
What does that man look like?
'S e fear mòr àrd tapaidh Albannach a th' ann air an robh coltas gruamach, greannach.
He's a big tall sturdy Scotsman with a sullen, crabbit expression.
We can also use Dè an coltas a th' air? (What does he/it look like?).
tapaidh (adj)
strong, hefty
seang (adj)
slender
gruamach (adj)
gloomy
greannach (adj)
crabbit
lag (adj)
weak, frail
When we describe something with more than one buadhair (adjective), we need to use these in the correct order. However, the riaghailt (rule) in Gaelic is not as strict or complex as the English rule for adjective order:
| 'S e | cù | mòr | laghach | dubh | a th' ann. |
| It is | a noun | size | quality | colour | that's in it. |
| Nach e tè bheag bhàn a th' innte? | size | colour | Isn't she a small fair–haired woman? |
| 'S e càr beag luath dearg a th' ann | size | quality | colour | It's a small quick red car. |
| An e taigh mòr spaideil geal a th' ann? | size | quality | colour | Is it a big fancy white house? |
| Chan e duine àrd laghach bàn a th' ann idir! | size | quality | colour | He isn't a nice tall fair–haired man at all. |
| 'S e duine beag gòrach a th' ann an Iain! | size | quality | Iain is a silly little man! |
Notice that feminine nouns lenite their adjectives where possible.