faclan
The English phrase 'words' is translated into Gaelic as faclan.
faclan refers to the plural form of a single distinct meaningful element of a language.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the plural faclan is facal. To say 'the words', use the definite article na before the plural faclan.
Did you know?
- In some historical contexts, a 'word' or facal was considered a physical entity that could be 'given' or 'held' like a piece of property.
- While 'words' is faclan, the phrase for 'a few words' is often expressed as beagan facal, where the noun remains in its singular form.
- In Gaelic, the word facal can also be used to refer to a 'word' in the sense of a promise or a person's 'word of honour'.
Examples in context
- Tha na faclan seo duilich.These words are difficult.
- Tha cus faclan anns an leabhar seo.There are too many words in this book.
- Sgrìobh na faclan gu math.Write the words clearly.
Example conversation
Callum and Mairead are studying a language book together.
- CallumDè an t-uimhir de faclan a tha an seo?What number of words are here?
- MaireadTha mòran faclan anns an leabhar.There are many words in the book.
- CallumA bheil thu a' tuigsinn nan faclan?Do you understand the words?
- MaireadTha, tha iad sìmplidh.Yes, they are simple.
