The nouns that designate most of the basic family members act unusually in the genitive, so the genitive for those will be shown in the list.

 

 

Buill (m) an teaghlaich – members of the family

 

màthair (f) – mother

(na màthar)

 

athair (m) – father

(an athar)

 

piuthar (f) – sister

(na peathar)

 

bràthair (m) – brother

(a’ bhràthar)

 

nighean (f) – daughter

(na h-ighne)

 

mac (m) – son

(a’ mhic)

 

seanmhair (f) – grandmother

(na seanmhar)

 

seanair (m) – grandfather

(an t-seanar)

 

A common pet name for a grandfather is sean.

 

ogha (m) – grandchild [also used for grandson, with ban-ogha for granddaughter]

(an ogha, na ban-ogha)

 

iar-ogha (m) – great-grandchild

 

sinn-seanair (m) – great-grandfather

 

sinn-seanmhair (f) – great-grandmother

 

 

Caraidean eile – other relatives

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Neach-dàimh (m) – relative

Luchd-dàimh – relatives

 

Traditionally, Gaelic has described the relationship between uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces more precisely than English, but borrowings of English terms are also in common use now.

 

bràthair mo mhàthar – my uncle (on my mother’s side)

bràthair m’ athar – my uncle (on my father’s side)

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piuthar mo mhàthar – my aunt (on my mother’s side)

piuthar m’ athar – my aunt (on my father’s side)

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mac mo pheathar – my nephew (son of my sister)

mac mo bhràthar – my nephew (son of my brother)

nighean mo pheathar – my niece (daughter of my sister)

nighean mo bhràthar – my niece (daughter of my brother)

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ogha (m) – nephew

ban-ogha (f) -niece

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co-ogha (m) – cousin

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uncail (m) – uncle

antaidh (f) – aunt

cusan (m) – cousin

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Còmhradh – Conversation

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Cò leis thu? – to whom do you belong? [i.e. what are your family connections?]

’S i mo phiuthar – she is my sister

’S e mo bhràthair – he is my brother

Tha sinn nar n-oghaichean – we are (first) cousins

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A bheil thu càirdeach do Mhairead? – are you related to Margaret?

Tha càirdeas againn – we are related

Tha dlùth chàirdeas againn – we are closely related

Tha càirdeas fad às agam dha – I am distantly related to him

Tha suaip aige ri taobh athar – he looks like his father’s side of the family

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A bheil e pòsta aig Seonag? – is he married to Joanne?

Chan eil, ach tha gealladh-pòsaidh aige oirre – no, but he is engaged to her

Chuala mi gu bheil iad fo ghealladh-pòsaidh – I heard that they are engaged

Tha iad a’ dol a rèiteachadh – they’re going to get engaged

Nach eil iad dealaichte? – aren’t they separated?

Tha iad air sgaradh – they are divorced

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Chan eil buntainneas agam ris a’ Ghàidhealtachd – I have no [family] connections with the Highlands

A bheil buntainn aice dhut? – is she related to you?

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Tha dithis bhràithrean agam, is iad nan càraidean – I have two brothers, who are twins