FaclairDictionary EnglishGàidhlig

CH CH

We are going to have a look at the Gaelic sound made by the letters ch.

When it is used before or after the broad vowels (a, o or u), ch has a harsher sound most easily recognisable in words like cha, which we use to say that something is not the case.

ch

cha

not

cha robh e

it wasn't

You can also hear this ch sound in loch:

loch

a loch (or lake)

Loch Nis

Loch Ness

Uilebheist Loch Nis

The Loch Ness Monster

When used before or after the slender vowels (e or i), the ch sound is much lighter, and can be heard at the end of duilich, which is the Gaelic for sorry:

ch

duilich

sorry

Or at the beginning of chì, which means to see:

chì

see

chì mi

I see