iar-dheas
The Gaelic word for southwest is iar-dheas.
iar-dheas is used as a noun to denote the southwest compass point.
Meaning: compass point (noun)
Did you know?
- Because dheas means 'right', a person described as dheas in a non-directional context is being called 'skillful' or 'handy'.
- The word iar is cognate with the Old Irish word for 'after' or 'behind'. This mirrors the way the west is viewed as the end of the day.
- While iar-dheas is the standard term, some regional dialects in the Highlands may use different descriptors for the wind coming from the southwest, which is often associated with rain.
Examples in context
- Tha an gaoth a' teachd bho iar-dheas.The wind is coming from the southwest.
Example conversation
Finlay and Eilidh are looking at a map of Scotland.
- FinlayCàite a bheil an t-eilean?Where is the island?
- EilidhTha e anns an iar-dheas.It is in the southwest.
- FinlayA bheil e fada bhon anseo?Is it far from here?
- EilidhTha, tha e gu math fada.Yes, it is quite far.
