oidhche
/ˈɤ̃ĩçə/feminine
The Gaelic word for night is oidhche.
oidhche is the standard, neutral term used to refer to the period between sunset and sunrise across many Gaelic-speaking regions.
Meaning: period between sunset and sunrise (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
oidhche is a feminine noun in the nominative singular case.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɤ̃ĩçə/
When do people say it?
The phrase Oidhche mhath is the standard way to say 'Good night' when used as either a greeting or a farewell.
Did you know?
- In Gaelic, the word oidhche might share a root with the Sanskrit word andha meaning 'blind'.
- In traditional Gaelic folklore, the 'night' is often personified or treated as a boundary between the human world and the otherworld.
- The pronunciation of oidhche uses a central vowel sound that does not exist in standard English.
Examples in context
- Nach robh iad aig a’ mhuir tron oidhche?Aren’t they on the sea during the night?This sentence shows how to use oidhche to describe being at sea during the night.Tatoeba #851990 by marloncori, translation #851991 by marloncori
- 'S oidhche mhath 's inntineach a bh' innte.It was a good and interesting night.This sentence demonstrates describing a night as both good and interesting using oidhche.Tatoeba #773267 by marloncori, translation #773268 by marloncori
- Oidhche mhath.Good night!This sentence shows the common greeting or farewell Oidhche mhath.Tatoeba #877952 by Cainntear, translation #426950 by Pun_intended
Example conversation
Catriona and Callum are saying goodbye before going to bed.
- CatrionaTha an oidhche fada.The night is long.
- CallumTha i fhada a dh’iIt is long indeed.
- CatrionaOidhche mhath, a Callum.Good night, Callum.
- CallumOidhche mhath, a Chatriona.Good night, Catriona.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “night” translations and entries oidhche, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries oidhche, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
