12 Guid Doric Phrases & Their Meanings

Learn how to speak like a local with these ‘rerr’ (really good) Doric words and their meanings. From ‘bosie’ to ‘bide’ and beyond, our guide to this colourful Scots dialect will help you make the most of your next visit to northeast Scotland!

Keep scrolling to learn more about some of our interesting Doric words, and have a listen to the recording to hear how they are pronounced too.

  1. Foo're ye deein? Aberdeen

    Foo’re ye deein? (¿Cómo estás? en dórico)

    In Doric: Foo’re ye deein?

    In English: How are you doing?

    Doric speakers are a friendly bunch; expect to hear this a lot on your travels around the northeast!

  2. Far div ye bide? Aberdeen

    Far div ye bide

    In Doric: Far div ye bide?

    In English: Where do you live?

    Looking to answer this in Doric? You’re either a ‘toonser’ (live in a city) or a ‘teuchter’ (live in a rural area)!

  3. Dinnae fash yerself Aberdeen

    Dinna fash yersel

    In Doric: Dinna fash yersel.

    In English: Don’t trouble yourself.

    Just to keep you on your linguistic toes, ‘fash’ can also mean ‘fish’ in Doric!

  4. Cam ower an gie’s a bosie Aberdeen

    Cam ower an gie’s a bosie

    In Doric: Cam ower an gie’s a bosie.

    In English: Come over and give me a cuddle.

    If in doubt, a big bosie can solve most problems.

  5. Like snaa aff a dyke Aberdeen

    Like snaa aff a dyke

    In Doric: Like snaa aff a dyke.

    In English: Like snow off a wall.

    In the northeast, things like good butteries (a tasty, flaky, savoury bread roll) don’t ‘sell out quickly’; they go ‘like snaa aff a dyke!’

  6. I’m pechin Aberdeen

    I’m pechin

    In Doric: I’m pechin.

    In English: I’m out of breath.

    A walk along the spectacular Aberdeenshire Coastal Trail will leave you breathless in more ways than one!

  7. Ye’re a sicht fer sair een Aberdeen

    Ye’re a sicht fer sair een

    In Doric: Ye’re a sicht fer sair een.

    In English: You’re a sight for sore eyes.

    Freshly caught fish, a cold pint of craft beer, a world-famous Aberdeen Angus steak and delicious Cullen Skink are just some of the delights you’ll find in the northeast larder that will make you utter this phrase!

  8. If yer bradie’s ower het, ye’ll hae tae blaa it Aberdeen

    If yer bradie’s ower het, ye’ll hae tae blaa it

    In Doric: If yer bradie’s ower het, ye’ll hae tae blaa it.

    In English: If your bridie/pie is too hot, you’ll have to blow on it.

    A warning heard in pastry shops throughout the northeast!

  9. Fit they deein doon the herbour wi aa thon crans an larries? Aberdeen

    Fit they deein doon the herbour wi aa thon crans an larries

    In Doric: Fit they deein doon the herbour wi aa thon crans an larries?

    In English: What are they doing down at the harbour with all those cranes and lorries?

    In the northeast, the harbour is the heart of many coastal towns and villages.

  10. It’s aye caul in Aiberdeenshire in November, myne an hap up! Aberdeen

    It’s aye caul in Aiberdeenshire in November, myne an hap up

    In Doric: It’s aye caul in Aiberdeenshire in November, myne an hap up!

    In English: It’s always cold in Aberdeenshire in November, remember to wrap up!

    As Scottish comedian Billy Connolly famously said, there’s no such thing as bad weather; just the wrong clothes!

  11. Fit a loon! Aberdeen

    Fit a loon

    In Doric: Fit a loon!

    In English: What a man/boy!

    In the northeast, there are no ‘boys’ and ‘girls;’ there are ‘loons’ and ‘quines.’

  12. I'm fair trauchled Aberdeen

    I’m fair trauchled

    In Doric: I’m fair trauchled

    In English: I’m exhausted.

    With so much to see and do in the northeast, this is how you’ll end up after a day of exploring!

WANT TE KEN MAIR?

Want to know more?

Scots, the ‘mither tongue’ that Doric forms part of, is just one of three native languages spoken in Scotland today, the other two being English and Scottish Gaelic.

Fancy learning more about our founding language? Check out our guide to Gaelic language and history!

If you’d like to dive deeper into Doric, grab Robert Gordon University’s Doric Dictionary or watch the University of Aberdeen’s Doric documentary!

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