grànnda
The word for "ugly" in Gaelic is grànnda.
grànnda is an adjective used to describe something that is displeasing to the eye or not aesthetically pleasing. It is important not to confuse it with fuathasach, which means "disgusting".
Meaning: displeasing to the eye, not aesthetically pleasing (adj)
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use grànnda to mean "disgusting". Instead, use the word fuathasach for that specific meaning.
Did you know?
- The distinction between grànnda and fuathasach is so strict that using the latter for a simple lack of beauty is often perceived as a harsh personal insult.
- While grànnda describes a visual lack of beauty, Gaelic speakers often use the term uabhasach to mean both 'terrible' and 'extremely', similar to how 'awfully' is used in English.
- In some Gaelic dialects, the concept of being 'ugly' can be expressed using words related to 'roughness' or 'coarseness', linking physical appearance to texture.
Example conversation
Mairead and Callum are looking at a piece of modern art.
- MaireadA bheil an dealbh seo grànnda?Is this picture ugly?
- CallumTha e glè grànnda, Mairead.It is very ugly, Mairead.
- MaireadChan eil mi ag iarraidh a cheannach.I do not want to buy it.
- CallumTha mi ag aontachadh leat, a Mhairead.I agree with you, Mairead.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry grànnda, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
