poileas
masculine, standard
The Scottish Gaelic word for "police" is poileas. It is a masculine noun, so with the article it is am poileas, "the police".
It is a borrowing from English, so it is easy to recognise. You use it for the police as a body, as in Tha am poileas an seo, "The police are here".
Meaning: law enforcement (noun)
Did you know?
- Poileas comes from English, like many Gaelic words for modern institutions.
Examples in context
- Tha am poileas an seo.The police are here.
- Chaidh am poileas dhan taigh.The police went to the house.
Example conversation
Calum and Màiri notice the police outside.
- MàiriTha am poileas aig an doras.The police are at the door.
- CalumCarson?Why?
- MàiriChan eil fhios agam.I do not know.
