èist
/eːʃtʲ/
The English verb 'listen' is translated into Gaelic as èist.
The verb is used to describe the act of paying attention to a sound.
Meaning: to pay attention to a sound (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form èist can function as the second-person singular present tense 'you listen' or as the imperative command 'listen!' When you want to say 'listen to' someone or something, the verb is typically used with the preposition ri, such as in the phrase èist ri.
How do you pronounce it?
/eːʃtʲ/
Did you know?
- The spelling of èist hides its complex history, as it evolved from the much longer Old Irish form in·túaisi.
- In traditional Gaelic storytelling, the act of listening is often treated as an active, social skill rather than a passive one.
- The pronunciation of èist involves a distinctive palatalized sound that requires placing the tongue against the hard palate, a feature not found in the English 'listen'.
Examples in context
- Carson nach èist thu rium?Why don't you listen to me?This sentence is useful for asking why someone is not using the form èist to listen to you.Tatoeba #1516535 by Cainntear, translation #485064 by CM
- Èistibh ris an dràgon agam!Listen to my dragon!
- Èist an seo gu math.Listen very carefully here.
- Èist ri an ceòl.Listen to the music.
Example conversation
Callum and Catriona are in a quiet room.
- CallumCatriona, èist ris an fhàisgeach!Catriona, listen to the wind!
- CatrionaTha e a' faireachdainn gu h-uaine.It feels fresh.
- CallumÈist gu droch mhaidne.Listen to the early morning.
- CatrionaTha e sàmhach a-nis.It is quiet now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “listen” translations and entries èist, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries èist, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
