gòrach
/ˈkɔːɾəx/
The English word "stupid" is translated into Gaelic as gòrach. Wiktionary also lists baoghalta and doilleir.
Meaning: lacking in intelligence (adj)
Ways to say it
| Gaelic | IPA |
|---|---|
| gòrach | /ˈkɔːɾəx/ |
| baoghalta | /ˈbɯːəltə/ |
| doilleir | /ˈdɔɪ.ʎɛr/ /ˈdɔ.ʎɛr/ |
| amaideach | /ˈamatʲəx/ |
These words are used to describe someone or something that is lacking in intelligence.
Which one should you use?
While all these forms relate to a lack of intelligence, amaideach is often used to mean 'foolish' or 'silly' in a more lighthearted or colloquial way than gòrach.
How does it change in a sentence?
gòrach is the masculine singular form of the adjective.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkɔːɾəx/
Did you know?
- The term doilleir can describe something 'stupid' or 'difficult' in the sense of being clumsy or awkward to deal with.
- The word amaideach is a linguistic-back-formation, meaning it was likely created by working backward from the noun amaideachd to create an adjective.
- Because Gaelic uses a system of initial consonant mutations, the word gòrach may change its first letter depending on the noun it modifies.
Examples in context
- Cha do rinn mi rud gòrach.I did not do a stupid thing.
- Sin an sgeulachd gòrach.That is a stupid story.
Example conversation
Eilidh and Finlay are discussing a bad idea.
- EilidhA bheil thu a' ceartachadh an plana?Do you agree with the plan?
- FinlayTha, tha e sgoinneil!Yes, it is brilliant!
- EilidhOch, Finlay, tha thu gòrach.Oh, Finlay, you are stupid.
- FinlayDè tha thu a' ràsinn?What are you saying?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stupid” translations and entries gòrach, baoghalta, doilleir, amaideach, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amaideach, baoghalta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
