uisge
masculine, standard
The Scottish Gaelic word for "water" is uisge. It is a masculine noun and is also the word for rain.
To ask for water you say Gloinne uisge, mas e do thoil e, "A glass of water, please". The context tells you whether uisge means water or rain.
Meaning: drinking water (noun)
Which one should you use?
The word is also the first part of uisge-beatha, "water of life", which is the Gaelic word for whisky.
Did you know?
- Because uisge means both water and rain, a Gaelic speaker relies on the sentence to know which one is meant.
Examples in context
- Tha mi ag iarraidh uisge.I want water.
- Gloinne uisge, mas e do thoil e.A glass of water, please.
- Tha an t-uisge fuar.The water is cold.
Example conversation
Calum asks Seonaid for a drink at a café.
- CalumGloinne uisge, mas e ur toil e.A glass of water, please.
- SeonaidSeo dhuibh.Here you are.
- CalumTapadh leibh.Thank you.
