When we tell any story, even a story about what happened to you at the weekend or during the working day, it is important that there is enough language to make the story interesting, descriptive and attractive to those who are listening to us.
And there are plenty of idioms and idiomatic expressions in Gaelic that would spice up any story!
Do you know what these idiomatic expressions mean? See if you can translate them into English.
Dèan suidhe a–steach ris an teine. |
Bha latha a rachadh agam air an sgeul aithris. |
Thug i sùil air a chaisgeadh searrach. |
Bha iad ri far–cluais aig an uinneig. |
Ann an dubh dorcha, marbh na h–oidhche. |
Bha e a’ seasamh air a chorra biod. |
Bha e a’ cur às a chorp mu dheidhinn … |
Tha beul gun phutan aige. |
Bha iad a’ toirt a chreids … |
Rinn mi sin gun fhios nach biodh … |
Thàinig sin mar chlach às an adhair. |
‘S e siubhal gun siùcar a bh’ ann. |
Chaidh mi à cochall mo chridhe! |
Bha mi mo chnàmhan air chrith. |
Cha d’ fhuair an seanchas a bh’ aige mòran cluaise. |
Dèan suidhe a–steach ris an teine.
Sit in by the fire
Bha latha a rachadh agam air an sgeul aithris.
There was a day I could manage to recite the story.
Thug i sùil air a chaisgeadh searrach.
She gave him a look that would restrain a foal.
Bha iad ri far–cluais aig an uinneig.
They were eavesdropping at the window.
Ann an dubh dorcha, marbh na h–oidhche.
In the black darkness, dead of night.
Bha e a’ seasamh air a chorra biod.
He was standing on tiptoes.
Bha e a’ cur às a chorp mu dheidhinn …
He was going on / ranting about …
Tha beul gun phutan aige.
He is a blabbermouth.
Bha iad a’ toirt a chreids …
They were pretending/claiming …
Rinn mi sin gun fhiosta nach biodh …
I did that in case …
Thàinig sin mar chlach às an adhar.
That came out of the blue.
‘S e siubhal gun siùcar a bh’ ann.
It was a wasted journey, a wild goose chase.
Chaidh mi à cochall mo chridhe!
I jumped out of my skin!
Bha mo chnàmhan air chrith.
I was shaking to the bone.
Cha d’ fhuair an seanchas a bh’ aige mòran cluaise.
His story didn’t get much attention.
Try and write a story using some of these expressions to spice up your story.
And perhaps these words which we learned in B1 Cuspair 26 Dualchas of some help to you as well!
Latha a bha seo …
One day … (past tense)
Uair dhan robh saoghal …
One upon a time …
O chionn fhada an t-saoghail …
Long long ago …
Fada ro linn do sheanar …
Long before your grandad’s time …
Nuair a bha an saoghal òg …
When the world was young …
Uair a bha siud …
Once upon a time …
cho sgìth ris a’ chù
as tired as a dog
cho sgìth ri seann chù
as tired as an old dog
cho aosta ri ceò nam beann
as old as the mist of the hills [mountains]
cho sean ri cnoc
as old as a small hill [hillock]
cho faoin ris na faoileagan
as daft as the seagulls
cho faoin ris na h–uiseagan
as daft as the skylarks
cho modhail ri luch ann an spòig a’ chait
as well behaved as a mouse in the cat’s paw
cho salach ri muc
as dirty as a pig
cho salach ris a’ mhuic
as dirty as a pig
cho maol ri ugh
as bald as an egg
cho sona ris an rìgh
as happy as the king
You can write a real story or a creative story.
Tell the story to your friend (or yourself!) when you are finished.