This is what *dreich* looks like in #Scotland
Grey sky, wet street, cold air, no sun. That feeling = *dreich*.
1. What does it MEAN?
*Dreich =* Not just rain. It’s a _whole feeling_.
It means:
– Grey sky
– Cold
– Wet / drizzly rain
– Damp
– Dark, even in the daytime
– Miserable, no sunshine, makes you feel sad and tired
In English, we have no one word for this. We have to say “grey, cold, wet and miserable weather.”
Scots people have just ONE word: *dreich*
2. How to SAY it?
Say: *DREEKH*
– *DREE* – like “tree” but with D
– *KH* – this is the Scottish sound. Like you are clearing your throat softly: _khhhhh_
Practice slowly:
> Dree… khhh
> Dree… khhh
> Dreekh!
If you say “dreech” with a normal English “ch” like “cheese”, Scottish people will still understand you. Don’t worry.
3. How to USE it?
It’s an adjective. You use it before a noun, or after “It’s”.
*5 sentences you can use tomorrow:*
– “It’s a dreich day today.”
– “It’s pure dreich outside!” – _pure_ = very, in Glasgow slang
– “What a dreich morning!”
– “I hate this dreich weather.”
– “It’s dreich, let’s stay in and coorie.” – coorie = cuddle up cosy
4. When do people say it?
All year in #Scotland ! But most in autumn and winter.
Example conversation in a shop:
> *Shopkeeper:* “Hiya, how are you?”
> *You:* “Aye, I’m fine, but it’s dreich out there, eh?”
> *Shopkeeper:* “Aye, pure dreich!”
*Dreich =* all day grey + cold + damp + depressing.
#glasgow #manchesterunited #london #englishlearning #ESOL
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