Gaelic tattoo question

[Arrowyn]

Hey, I'm thinking about getting, mo leannan, tattooed on my ring finger. According to my Gaelic dictionary it means, My Beloved. But I've heard it can also mean concubine. Also I have seen it with, or without, a hyphen. Any ideas? BTW, I'm a lassie. THANKS.

[California Highlander]

"My beloved", "my love", "my sweetheart", or "my darling" in English. I'm only a Gaelic learner, not a native or even fluent speaker, so take it for what it's worth.

Perhaps it has a different connotation in Irish Gaelic? I also think no hyphen. I've not seen it written with a hyphen.

Fàilte! Welcome to the Rabble!

[neloon]

No hyphen. Never heard of the "concubine" idea though it could certainly mean "lover" in the fullest sense. Perhaps "mo ghraidh" would be a slightly more usual modern term of endearment. "leannan" is a little bit "poetic".

[Arrowyn]

Thanks! I wish I knew how to pronounce ghraidh. It looks cool, though.

[neloon]

Thanks! I wish I knew how to pronounce ghraidh. It looks cool, though.

The initial "gh" has no English equivalent - it's like a softened "g". A bit like the "ch" sound which is all breath but with some throat sound too. The rest is just "rye". Of course, he can call you "mo ghraidh" also.
P.S. Just consulted my linguist wife who agrees it's hard to explain without phonetic symbols. I should have left you with "leannan"!!

[Arrowyn]

LOL. ghraidh just looks nice, but it will be embarrassing when I can't pronounce it. I guess my husband and I will have to think about this one a bit before we decide.