beathaichean
The English phrase animals is beathaichean in Gaelic.
beathaichean is used to refer to animals.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from beatha, meaning 'life', making the literal sense 'living things'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Scottish Gaelic, the word for dog is cù rather than madadh used in Irish Gaelic. In Irish Gaelic, the word for horse is capall instead of each used in Scottish Gaelic.
Did you know?
- The word beatha is a cognate of the Old Irish word for 'life', which is distantly related to the English word 'be', reflecting a prehistoric root connecting 'existence' with 'living things'.
- In certain contexts, the root beatha can also refer to 'food' or 'sustenance', linking 'life' and 'animals' to the very means of survival.
- Because the word is rooted in 'life', using it can feel more respectful of a creature's essence than the more clinical English 'animals'.
Examples in context
- Tha madadh beag agamI have a small dog
- Tha cat dubh agamI have a black cat
- Tha each mòr aig an fhear sinThat man has a big horse
- Tha bò donn anns a' phàircThere is a brown cow in the field
- Tha eun-daraich a' seinnThe woodpecker is singing
- Tha bò bhàn anns a' phort-adhairThere is a white cow in the airport
- Tha mòran beathaichean anns an t-eilean.There are many animals on the island.
Example conversation
Isla and Finlay are visiting a local farm.
- IslaSeall air na beathaichean!Look at the animals!
- FinlayTha iad gu mathน่าcogail.They are very cute.
- IslaDè an beathaichean as fheàrr leat?Which animals do you like best?
- FinlayIs toil leam na h-uile beathaichean.I like all the animals.
