tròcair
/ˈtʰɾɔːxkɪɾʲ/
The English word 'mercy' is translated into Gaelic as tròcair.
tròcair is a noun used to express the concept of forgiveness or compassion.
Meaning: forgiveness or compassion (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtʰɾɔːxkɪɾʲ/
Did you know?
- In many historical Gaelic contexts, 'mercy' was not just a feeling but a legal concept involving the 'generosity' of a chieftain towards a defeated foe.
- The phonetic structure of tròcair relies on a 'tapped r', a sound where the tongue strikes the roof of the mouth once, similar to the 'tt' in the American pronunciation of 'better'.
- The word tròcair descends from the Old Irish word trócaire, showing that the core meaning of compassion has remained stable for over a millennium.
Examples in context
- Tha an t-eilean ag iarraidh tròcair.The island is asking for mercy.
- Chan eil mòran tròcair aige.He has little mercy.
Example conversation
Mairead and Angus are discussing a difficult ruler.
- MaireadA bheil an rí an seo a' lorg tròcair?Is the king seeking mercy here?
- AngusChan eil, tha e gu math cruaidh.No, he is very harsh.
- MaireadNach eil e a' feumadh tròcair?Does he not need mercy?
- AngusChan eil e a' tuigsinn sin, a Mhairéad.He does not understand that, Mairead.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tròcair, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tròcair, CC BY-SA 4.0.
