FaclairDictionary EnglishGàidhlig

Broad N Broad N

Let’s have a look at the broad N sound in Gaelic.

The broad N sound is made by resting the tip of the tongue on the front teeth, and is made when the N occurs next to a, o, or u in a word. The broad N can be heard in nàbaidh (a neighbour):

n

nàbaidh

a neighbour

nàbaidh coibhneil

a kind neighbour

You can also hear the broad N sound in naoi (nine):

naoi

nine

naoi latha

nine days

Another example of the broad N sound, this time in the middle of a word, is snàmh (swim):

snàmh

swim