uisge
/ˈɯʃkʲə/
The Gaelic word for rain is uisge.
uisge is a noun used to describe an instance of particles falling.
Meaning: an instance of particles falling (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɯʃkʲə/
Did you know?
- The word uisge is the root of the English word 'whisky'. It evolved from the Gaelic phrase uisge beatha, which means 'water of life'.
- The word uisge is a close linguistic relative of the English word 'water', as both descend from the same ancient Proto-Indo-European root.
- In Gaelic, there isn't a single dedicated word for 'rain' that is entirely separate from the general word for 'water'. Speakers use uisge and modify it with adjectives to specify the type of precipitation.
Examples in context
- Tá sé ag cur báistíIt's raining
- Tha uisge ann an-dràsta.There is rain right now.
Example conversation
Catriona and Hamish are looking out the window.
- CatrionaSeall air an uisge!Look at the rain!
- HamishTha e gu math fuar.It is very cold.
- CatrionaAn stad an uisge?Did the rain stop?
- HamishCha do stadaidh e fhathast.It hasn't stopped yet.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry uisge, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries uisge, CC BY-SA 4.0.
