dearg
/d̥ʲaɾak/
The Gaelic word for the color red is dearg. Wiktionary also lists ruadh.
Meaning: colour (noun)
Ways to say it
| Gaelic | IPA |
|---|---|
| dearg | /d̥ʲaɾak/ (Lewis) /d̥ʲɛɾak/ |
| ruadh | /rˠuəɣ/ |
The term dearg refers to the standard color red, which can be used as a noun or an adjective to describe red objects like red wine or a red book. The term ruadh is used more descriptively to refer to a reddish-brown or auburn tint, and it is specifically the standard term used to describe someone with red hair.
Which one should you use?
dearg is the standard word for the color red, such as when describing a red object or red wine. In contrast, ruadh is used for a reddish-brown or auburn-tinted color and is the specific word used when describing red hair.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both dearg and ruadh can function as nouns for the color red or as adjectives meaning 'having red as its colour'.
How do you pronounce it?
/d̥ʲaɾak/
Did you know?
- The word ruadh is related to the Sanskrit word 'rudhirá', which refers to blood.
Examples in context
- 'S e rìbhinn ruadh mhaiseach a th' innte.She's a fair red-haired maiden.This sentence shows how to use ruadh to describe hair color.
- Òlaidh ise fìon dearg.She will drink red wine.This sentence shows how to use dearg to describe the color of wine.Tatoeba #5768335 by Catriona, translation #5768336 by Catriona
- Tha an leabhar aice dearg.Her book is red.This sentence shows how to use dearg to describe the color of a book.Tatoeba #5768376 by Cainntear, translation #3148908 by CM
- Tha an ubhal dearg.The apple is red.
Example conversation
Finlay and Eilidh are talking about a new car.
- FinlayA bheil thu ag iarraidh an car dearg?Do you want the red car?
- EilidhChan eil, tha an t-uaine nas fheàrr.No, the green one is better.
- FinlayAch is e dath làidir a th' ann an dearg.But red is a strong colour.
- EilidhTha sin true, ach chan eil is ann an dhomh.That is true, but it is not for me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “red” translations and entries dearg, ruadh, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dearg, ruadh, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
