Outlander season 7 has arrived but even long-time fans are confused by the Scottish vocabulary peppered throughout the show. If that includes you, we could say “dinna fash” (don’t worry) but will not because that is an example of the Scots language and today we’re tackling Scottish Gaelic.
As a staunch advocate of endangered Scottish languages, the series author Diana Gabaldon has expressed her desire to save the Celtic tongue through her writing and has been widely praised for her Gaelic inclusion.
For Valentine’s Day 2023, we compiled a list of romantic Gaelic phrases in Outlander for all the Jamie and Claire’s out there. Now, we’re covering a broader spectrum of Gaelic words which - hopefully - you can incorporate into your own vocabulary.
As Gaelic is far removed from English pronunciation, the phonetics in this article are only well-intended suggestions. We recommend websites like Learn Gaelic to help you sound out words like a native. That said, tiugainn teuchters (“chookin choochters”) i.e., let’s go Highlanders!
For Valentine’s Day 2023, we compiled a list of romantic Gaelic phrases in Outlander for all the Jamie and Claire’s out there. Now, we’re covering a broader spectrum of Gaelic words which - hopefully - you can incorporate into your own vocabulary.
![A useful expression for those of us that embrace politeness, this is used to express a “thank you”. It is said to be more formal than other forms of expressing gratitude in Gaelic but there’s nothing wrong with that. You can say it like “bwee-ah-chus” (sound the ‘ch’ like in ‘loch’).](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjhjNzE1ZDYzLTQxZTQtNDdkNC1iOWNlLTNkMDczZWEwYzFiYzo2ZmY3YjljMy0xMzNiLTRkMjgtOGIzOS0yMWFhODE1YjBmYTU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
5. Buidheachas
A useful expression for those of us that embrace politeness, this is used to express a “thank you”. It is said to be more formal than other forms of expressing gratitude in Gaelic but there’s nothing wrong with that. You can say it like “bwee-ah-chus” (sound the ‘ch’ like in ‘loch’).Photo: Submitted
![Used in an affectionate way and not anatomical, the term “mo chridhe” means “my heart”. You can find it in other works of Scottish Gaelic like the song ‘Eilean Mo Chridhe’ (Island of my Heart). Try to pronounce it by sounding out with “mo chree-ah” but we recommend using the LearnGaelic dictionary online for pronunciation help.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjkxMDQyNTQ3LTIxMTAtNDQwMy05YjVlLWQ4YzQ3ZWZmNjlkNzowOTE3NGNiMy1iYzBjLTQ1MzItYmZhZi02YmJjM2MxZGJhNjE=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
6. Mo Chridhe
Used in an affectionate way and not anatomical, the term “mo chridhe” means “my heart”. You can find it in other works of Scottish Gaelic like the song ‘Eilean Mo Chridhe’ (Island of my Heart). Try to pronounce it by sounding out with “mo chree-ah” but we recommend using the LearnGaelic dictionary online for pronunciation help.Photo: Submitted
![If you are less romantically inclined at the moment then here’s a useful platonic term. To say “my friend” in Scottish Gaelic you can say “mo charaid”. The pronunciation is similar to the word “carriage” but it starts with an “H” sound.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjgzMjRiZGIwLTExN2QtNGQ0NC1hZTc5LTE1NzVhZmY2MTgwYjo5MTAwMDY3Yy1jZDI1LTRiZmMtOGFiZC04OGE3NTg5ODk3MjY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
7. Mo Charaid
If you are less romantically inclined at the moment then here’s a useful platonic term. To say “my friend” in Scottish Gaelic you can say “mo charaid”. The pronunciation is similar to the word “carriage” but it starts with an “H” sound.Photo: Submitted
![This Gaelic expression is used to say “my God” or “Oh my God” in a surprised or flustered manner usually. It serves the same function as saying “for heaven’s sake” for example. You can pronounce it by sounding out “ah yee-ah”.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjFlYTk3ZmQwLThkNDUtNDk5OC1iMmQwLWY4MGVlMzBiYzExODpmMmIzZTU3OC04OWYzLTQ3ZGYtYTE4NS05MDM0NDdjMDE4ZTA=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
8. A Dhia
This Gaelic expression is used to say “my God” or “Oh my God” in a surprised or flustered manner usually. It serves the same function as saying “for heaven’s sake” for example. You can pronounce it by sounding out “ah yee-ah”.Photo: Submitted