Listen
What is the meaning of the word 'wee', and what is a wee dram? Finn and Wang Fei will help you find out.
Have you ever tried a wee dram of whisky?
The script from this programme:
Finn: Welcome to The English We Speak, I'm Finn.
Wang Fei: And I'm Wang Fei. So, what English word do we have today?
Finn: Well, Wang Fei, today's English word is actually a Scottish one!
Wang Fei: A Scottish phrase on The English We Speak?
Finn: That’s right.
Wang Fei: Finn, I know you're from Scotland, but this is The English We Speak, not the Scottish!
Finn: Not the Scottish I know, but actually, Wang Fei, this is a word that is very widely used.
Wang Fei: Ok, what's the word, then?
Finn: Today's word is wee.
Wang Fei: Wii – oh, I know! Isn't that a kind of Japanese game console? Surely that's The Japanese We Speak?!
Finn: No, not that Wii! That Wii is spelt W-I-I, and the word I mean is spelt W-E-E. And it means… small or little.
Wang Fei: Ok – so that's very nice and easy to remember!
Finn: It is. Quite often, you'll hear it together with the word 'bit'. A wee bit. Listen to these examples.
Examples
I might be a wee bit late, please just wait for me.
You're looking a wee bit tired, are you ok?
I'm a wee bit hungry, fancy getting a sandwich?
Wang Fei: So a wee bit is just like a little bit. How else can we use this word, Finn?
Finn: Well a wee bit is probably what you'll hear most often. What do you think it means in this sentence?
Example
When I was wee, I used to love climbing trees!
Wang Fei: When I was wee… is that when I was young?
Finn: That's right – when I was young, when I was wee - though you'll more likely hear Scottish people say this! And there is another phrase using wee which I'm going to tell you in a moment, but first – tell me, what is the most famous Scottish drink, Wang Fei?
Wang Fei: That’s easy – whisky!
Finn: Whisky – yes it is! Do you like whisky?
Wang Fei: Oh, yes, but it’s a bit strong, isn’t it! Maybe I would just have a small glass.
Finn: Well, we have a word for a glass of whisky, which is a dram.
Wang Fei: A dram.
Finn: That’s right, D-R-A-M, a dram.
Wang Fei: Mm, a dram.
Finn: So if you want a small dram, what do you say?
Wang Fei: Can I have a wee dram?
Finn: Can I have a wee dram – that’s it! Really? Would you like a wee dram, Wang Fei?
Wang Fei: OK, great, yeah!
Finn: We're in the studio!
Wang Fei: Yes, maybe later!
Finn: Maybe later!
Wang Fei: Well, that's the word for today, wee, W-E-E.
Finn: If you have time, why not have a wee look at our website!
Wang Fei: Mm – and it's bbclearningenglish.com!
Finn: That’s right, bye for now!
Wang Fei: Bye.
