Learning greetings is often one of the initial steps in acquiring a new language. Here I’ve compiled a list of key Welsh greetings, or cyfarchion Cymraeg, to aid you on your Welsh language venture. The following greetings are particularly relevant for informal settings, such as interactions with friends, family, or those you’re at ease with.
Informal Greetings in Welsh
Sumai (North Wales) / Shwmae (South Wales)
You also have some variations for this greeting such as the quick and short ‘s’mai’ or ‘mai’ (north Wales) and ‘shwdi’ (south Wales). In simple terms, the informal and well-known greeting means ‘Sut wyt ti?’ in Welsh or ‘How are you?’ in English.
Iawn?
The English equivalent of ‘Alright?’
Haia / Hai / Hei
Another way of saying ‘hello‘ in a casual way.
Sut hwyl?
Used as a greeting for ‘How are things?’, or ‘How are things going?’
Sut mae hi ers tro / talwm?
This greeting is used to greet someone you haven’t seen in a long time and it’s the English equivalence of ‘Long-time no see’.
Hwyl i ti / Hwyl i chi
You can use this informal greeting to say goodbye to someone. Its literal translation is, ‘Bye to you’. For a variation of this greeting, you can say ‘Da boch chi’, ‘Da bot ti’ or even ‘Da bo’. Please note that ‘Hwyl i ti / Hwyl i chi’ can also be used as a way to wish someone well or to wish someone luck with something. For example, ‘Hwyl i ti/chi yn y gystadleuaeth nofio nos yfory’ – ‘Good luck to you in the swimming competition tomorrow evening’.
Welai di’n fuan / Welai chi’n fuan
‘See you soon’ in English – a variation of this casual greeting would be ‘Ta ta tan toc!’, or ‘Tan toc!’ – used more in south Wales.
Formal Greetings in Welsh
Helô
As you might have guessed already, this greeting means ‘hello’. Don’t forget to lengthen the ‘ô’ at the end.
Bore da
This second greeting is used to greet someone at the start of the day to say ‘Good morning’.
Prynhawn da
This greeting means ‘Good afternoon’. If you want to sound slightly more informal, you can always use the shortened version of ‘Pnawn da’ (mostly heard in north Wales).
Noswaith dda
‘Good evening’ in English. Don’t forget to mutate ‘da’ to ‘dda’ here as ‘noswaith’ is a feminine noun.
Nos da
‘Good night’ in English. You can also use the north Wales variation of ‘Nos dawch’ (Noson dda i chi) which means ‘Good night to you’.
Croeso
You can expect to hear ‘Croeso’ or ‘Welcome’ in scenarios where you are welcomed somewhere, such as a meeting or a restaurant.
Pleser eich cyfarfod chi
‘Pleasure to meet you’ – You can always put a spin on this greeting if you want to make it sound slightly more informal – ‘Neis i’ch cyfarfod chi’ – ‘Nice to meet you’.
Hwyl fawr
The Welsh formal way of saying ‘Goodbye’ or ‘All the best’. If you just want to say ‘Bye’, you can say ‘Hwyl’.
Hwyl am y tro
The literal translation of this greeting is ‘Bye for now’.
Some conversations may ensue, so be ready! This will facilitate meaningful connections with people, ultimately enhancing your proficiency in Welsh. Best of luck!
