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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.
The following list was created by VisitScotland to showcase a range of experiences. It isn’t ranked in any specific order.
- 1
Foo're ye deein?
Aberdeen
Foo’re ye deein
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!
Other things you might like
Scottish arts & culture
Things to see & do in Aberdeen
Coorie words for winter in Scotland
10 Tricky Scottish place names and how to pronounce them
Scottish writers & literature
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