trom-laighe
In Gaelic, the word for nightmare is trom-laighe. Wiktionary also lists mearan-cadail.
Meaning: dream (noun)
Ways to say it
| Gaelic |
|---|
| trom-laighe |
| mearan-cadail |
Both terms are used to describe a dream, specifically a nightmare.
Did you know?
- The use of trom-laighe reflects an old folk belief that nightmares were caused by a supernatural entity sitting on the chest of the sleeper.
- The word mearan-cadail actually links the concept of a nightmare to 'hallucination' or 'delirium' rather than just a bad dream.
- The word trom in trom-laighe literally means 'heavy', implying that a nightmare is a physical weight pressing down on the sleeper.
Example sentences for Gaelic are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Isla wakes up frightened in the morning.
- IslaBha trom-laighe uamhasach agam.I had a terrible nightmare.
- AngusDè a bha ann na trom-laighe?What was in the nightmare?
- IslaCha féidir leam a chuimhneachadh.I cannot remember.
- AngusNa bi eaglaich, a Isla.Don't be afraid, Isla.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nightmare” translations and entries trom-laighe, mearan-cadail, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mearan-cadail, CC BY-SA 4.0.
