caileag bhòidheach
The English phrase "beautiful girl" is translated into Gaelic as caileag bhòidheach.
This phrase is used to describe a girl who is physically or aesthetically attractive.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the noun for girl followed by the adjective bhòidheach, which means "beautiful".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Irish Gaelic, you can say "beautiful girl" using the phrase Cailín álainn.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the adjective follows the noun.
Did you know?
- Despite its modern sweet meaning, the root of caileag is distantly related to the Latin word pellex, which means 'concubine' or 'strumpet'.
- In Gaelic, adjectives like bhòidheach often change their first letter when they follow a noun, a grammatical process called lenition.
- In many Gaelic-speaking contexts, adding the diminutive suffix -ag to a word can change the tone from purely descriptive to a term of endearment.
Examples in context
- Tha caileag bhòidheach anns a’ phàipear ann.There is a beautiful girl on the paper.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use caileag bhòidheach in a sentence.Tatoeba #851886 by marloncori, translation #851973 by marloncori
Example conversation
Hamish and Mairead are looking at an old family photograph.
- HamishCoinneach an t-seann dealbh seo, a anail.This old photo is lovely, Mairead.
- MaireadTha, tha i na caileag bhòidheach.Yes, she is a beautiful girl.
- HamishCò an eà i?Who is she?
- MaireadIs i mo shean-sheanair i.She is my great-grandmother.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caileag, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
