bòidheach
/ˈb̥ɔːjəx/
In Gaelic, the word for beautiful is bòidheach. Wiktionary also lists àlainn and brèagha.
Meaning: attractive (adj)
Ways to say it
| Gaelic | IPA |
|---|---|
| bòidheach | /ˈb̥ɔːjəx/ /ˈb̥uæ.əx/ |
| àlainn | /ˈaːl̪ˠɪɲ/ |
| brèagha | /ˈb̥ðia.ə/ (Lewis) /ˈb̥ɾʲia.a/ |
| fèilleil | |
| grinn | /ɡ̊ðẽĩɲ/ (Lewis) /ɡ̊ðɤ̃ĩɲ/ (Lewis) |
| maiseach | /maʃʲax/ |
| rìomhach | |
| sgèimheach |
bòidheach is frequently used to describe people, often implying they are handsome or good-looking.
Which one should you use?
Brèagha is very commonly used to describe weather or a pleasant day. In some areas of Highland Scottish Gaelic, the term Brèagha means "beautiful" in a poetic sense.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈb̥ɔːjəx/
Did you know?
- The word brèagha is rooted in the name of Brega, an ancient region around the Hill of Tara. Calling something 'beautiful' in this sense was once like saying it was as fine as that specific landscape.
- The word bòidheach is built from the word for 'virtue', meaning that a beautiful person is literally seen as someone possessing 'virtues'.
- The adjective maiseach for beauty is closely related to the word for 'fashionable' or 'ornate'. It suggests a beauty that is carefully put together or elegant.
Examples in context
- 'S àlainn an gille bàn sin ann…!Beautiful is that flaxen-haired lad over there…!This sentence shows how to use àlainn to describe a person.
- Tha là brèagha ann.It's a beautiful day.This sentence demonstrates the use of brèagha when talking about the weather.Tatoeba #4189002 by User66640, translation #318150 by CK
Example conversation
Callum and Catriona are looking at a photo of a garden.
- CallumSeall air an t-saoghal bòidheach seo.Look at this beautiful world.
- CatrionaTha e gu dearbh glè bòidheach.It is indeed very beautiful.
- CallumAn toil leat an t-àite?Do you like the place?
- CatrionaTha, tha e sgoinneil.Yes, it is wonderful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beautiful” translations and entries bòidheach, àlainn, brèagha, grinn, maiseach, rìomhach, sgèimheach, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries brèagha, bòidheach, àlainn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
