eilean
masculine, standard
The Scottish Gaelic word for "island" is eilean. It is a masculine noun and the plural is eileanan.
Meaning: piece of land surrounded by water (noun)
Ways to say it
| Gaelic | Note |
|---|---|
| eilean | masculine, standard |
| eileanan | plural |
With the article it becomes an t-eilean, "the island". Place names use it a lot, for example Eilean Sgitheanach for the Isle of Skye.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The Gaelic name for the Outer Hebrides is Na h-Eileanan Siar, which literally means "the western isles".
Did you know?
- Na h-Eileanan Siar is also the official Gaelic name of the Outer Hebrides council area.
Examples in context
- Tha mi a' fuireach air eilean.I live on an island.
- Tha mi a' dol dhan eilean.I am going to the island.
Example conversation
Calum talks to Màiri on the ferry about where she lives.
- CalumA bheil thu a' fuireach air an eilean?Do you live on the island?
- MàiriTha. Tha mi a' fuireach air Leòdhas.Yes. I live on Lewis.
- CalumTha an t-eilean brèagha.The island is beautiful.
