Looking for practical Shona to Scots Gaelic phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the Shona phrase first, then the Scots Gaelic translation (Scots Gaelic) — so you can scan quickly before a trip, class, or video call.
The phrases are grouped into eight topics: greetings and pleasantries, useful phrases for travellers, everyday conversation, directions and getting around, shopping and dining, emergencies and health, work and business, and time, days and numbers. Use the table of contents to jump straight to greetings, directions, dining, emergencies, or numbers. You do not need perfect grammar to start — short, clear sentences often work better than silence when you are learning Scots Gaelic.
Tip: read the Scots Gaelic line out loud three times, then cover the Shona side and try to recall the meaning — repetition builds memory faster than silent reading.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the Shona to Scots Gaelic translator to paste your own messages and get an instant translation.
Greetings and pleasantries
Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and polite introductions for meeting new people.
Mhoro
Halò
Ndatenda
Tapadh leat
Mangwanani akanaka
Madainn mhath
Masikati akanaka
Feasgar math
Manheru akanaka
Oidhche mhath
Usiku hwakanaka
Oidhche mhath
Tichasangana gare gare
Tìoraidh
Sara zvakanaka
Mar sin leibh
Zita rako ndiani?
Dè an t-ainm a th' ort?
Zita rangu ndiri John
Is e John an t-ainm a th' orm
Uri sei?
Ciamar a tha thu?
Ndinofara kukuziva
Deagh choinneamh
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
Unotaura Chirungu here?
A bheil Beurla agad?(a vel BYUR-la ag-ut)
Handitauri Hindi zvakanaka
Chan eil Hindi agam gu math(khan ail HIN-dee a-gum goo mah)
Handinzwisisi
Chan eil mi a' tuigsinn(khan ail mee a' TEEK-shin)
Ndokumbirawo utaure zvishoma
Mas e do thoil e, bris gu h-ìosal(mas eh do HOL eh, bris goo HEE-sal)
Ungazvitaura zvakare here?
An urrainn dhut sin a ràdh a-rithist?(an OOR-in ghoot shin a RAH a-REE-sht)
Chimbuzi chiripi?
Càit a bheil an taigh-beag?(kait a vel an TIGH-bag)
Ndingasvika sei kumusoro kwemaguta?
Ciamar a gheibh mi gu mheadhan na cidade?(kee-mar a GAYV mee goo VAY-an na ki-DAD)
Tendeuka kuruboshwe
Tionndaidh gu clì(TCHIN-dee goo klee)
Tendeuka kurudyi
Tionndaidh gu deas(TCHIN-dee goo jass)
Enda mberi
Falbh dìreach(FAL-iv DEER-ach)
Mari yechikwereti ingani?
Dè an cosgais?(day an KOS-gash)
Tikiti imwe, ndapota
Tiocaid aon, mas e do thoil e(TCHOK-id eyn, mas eh do HOL eh)
Iko kure here kubva pano?
A bheil e fada bhon seo?(a vel eh FAH-da von shoh)
Ndakakanganiswa
Tha mi air chall(ha mee air KAL)
Ndingatenga kupi kadhi reSIM?
Càit as urrainn dhomh SIM a cheannach?(kait as OOR-in ghohm SIM a KYAN-ach)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
Ehe
Tha(ha)
Kwete
Chan eil(han ail)
Pangove
Is dòcha(is do-cha)
Ndinobvumirana
A tha mi ag aontachadh(a ha mee ag un-tach)
Handibvumirane
Chan eil mi ag aontachadh(han ail mee ag un-tach)
Izvozvo zvinonzwika zvakanaka
Tha sin math(ha sheen mah)
Unofungei?
Dè do bheachd?(day do vek)
Unogona kundibatsira here?
An urrainn dhut mo chuideachadh?(an oor-in doo mo khoo-yeh-akh)
Ndiri kuda rubatsiro
Tha feum agam air cuideachadh(ha fey-um a-gum air khoo-yeh-akh)