About The Author

Heather is passionate about everything language-related. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, she holds a TEFL certification from Aberystwyth University and a Bachelor's degree in Linguistics from the University of Western Ontario. Along with her native English, she speaks Italian, Welsh, and a smattering of Japanese and French.


The 8 Most Common Nicknames / Terms of Endearment in Welsh

As with other languages, people use Welsh nicknames to refer to a partner, lover, close friend or a member of their family in informal situations. Some people may choose to use these in public or a more close-knit private setting, depending on the context. In Wales, the older generation seems to use nicknames as a …

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“Yma o Hyd” – Learn the Welsh Lyrics, English Translation & the Meaning Behind the Song

The renowned Welsh anthem, Yma o Hyd, stands as a testament to the unwavering resilience and determination of Welsh speakers, making it a cherished symbol of strength and identity for the community. But have you ever wondered about the meaning concealed within its lyrics? Let’s take a moment to unravel the significance and inspiration behind this powerful Welsh tune!

yma o hyd

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What is ‘DD’ in Welsh (and how to pronounce it)

dd in welsh

If you’ve ever come across written Welsh, you must have noticed that many words contain a double “D.” While it might be tempting to pronounce it as a regular “D,” similar to the English words “rudder” or “address,” it’s important to know that Welsh follows a distinct sound system, and its letters are pronounced differently from what you might expect.

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10 Wonderfully Weird Welsh Words & Expressions

All languages have their fair share of weird words and expressions, many of which would make little sense if translated word-for-word. Take, for example, the English idioms “blow someone’s socks off” (to amaze or impress) or “a piece of cake” (to be easy). In any other language, these expressions translated literally would only earn you …

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How to Say “Police” in Welsh – Heddlu

how to say police in welsh
heddlu - police

There are two possible ways to say “police” in Welsh: heddlu and plismyn.

The word heddlu is made up of two parts: hedd (meaning “peace“) and llu (meaning “a large number of people“) whereas the word plismyn is the plural of plismon (policeman) and derives from the English.

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How to Say “Welcome to Wales” in Welsh – Croeso i Gymru!

There is no road sign I find more comforting than the one that straddles the border at every point between England and Wales. Those simple words – Croeso i Gymru or Welcome to Wales in English – are a sweet reminder that home is less than a couple of hours away! 🙂 The phrase Croeso …

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