Fòram na Gàidhlig

I am a complete beginner at gaelic and on Duolingo the female pronouces it (eye-us) and the male pronounces it as spelt, agus. Is this something that is gender specific? Tapadh Leibh.

It's a regional accent thing.

The word often gets abbreviated, so you might here "agus", "eye-us", "us" or just "s" depending on who's speaking and how quickly.

Tapadh Leibh. I'm glad it's not a male female thing.

You'll even hear "eggus".


Just think of all the English speakers you know who pronounce the same things slightly differently - depending on region or personal preference.

It's just more colloquial than regional, you'll hear it in most places, see this map. As the other said, it goes from /aɣəs/ to /ɛɣəs/. I think I've heard /ajəs/ too but I'm hazy on that.