The start of the New Year (blwyddyn newydd) is the most popular time to make a list of resolutions (addunedau). By taking into consideration what worked during the previous year, it becomes possible to set goals for the following year.
Addunedau can be as simple as exercising more or drinking less alcohol, or more specific, such as learning a new language like, say, Welsh! 😉
In this article, you will find ten of the most common New Year’s resolutions translated into Welsh. If you can think of any others or have a resolution you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!
1. Colli pwysau
English meaning: to lose weight
Losing weight is by far the most popular resolution on this list. After all, there is nothing we want more than to shed all the extra pounds we put on over the Christmas break! An equally popular resolution that ties in closely with weight loss is to eat more healthily (bwyta’n iach).
2. Gwneud mwy o ymarfer corff
English meaning: to exercise more
Another way people tackle their weight after the holiday season is to exercise more. Some of the most popular forms of exercise include walking (cerdded), running (rhedeg), swimming (nofio) and dancing (dawnsio).
3. Cynilo mwy
English meaning: to save more
Many people aspire to have better control over their finances. In addition to saving more money, this may include repaying old debts (dileu dyled), developing one’s career (datblygu gyrfa) or changing jobs (newid swydd).
4. Dysgu rhywbeth newydd
English meaning: to learn something new
Be it a foreign language (iaith dramor), a musical instrument (offeryn cerdd) or any other skill that requires practice and persistence, many people commit to learning something new in the New Year, or simply improving the skills they already have.
5. Yfed llai o alcohol
English meaning: to drink less alcohol
This is another very popular resolution if you have an insatiable love for all things boozy in life such as wine (gwin) and beer (cwrw)! In fact, some people go teetotal for a month or even the entire year.
6. Stopio ysmygu
English meaning: to stop smoking
Speaking of bad habits (arferion drwg), another resolution that sits high on the list is giving up smoking or at least cutting back on the number of cigarettes (sigaréts) smoked per day.
7. Teithio mwy
English meaning: to travel more
Travelling the world (teithio’r byd) is a dream on many people’s lists. Some may decide to visit a place they’ve never been before whereas a select few might commit to visiting multiple places!
8. Treulio mwy o amser gyda theulu
English meaning: to spend more time with family
Because we tend to spend so much of the day at work (gwaith), many people resolve to spend more time with the family (teulu) or to make more time for friends (ffrindiau) they don’t see very often.
9. Gwirfoddoli i helpu eraill
English meaning: to volunteer to help others
Helping others by volunteering (gwirfoddoli) or donating money to good causes (rhoi i achosion da) is an excellent ambition for the new year. After all, giving is far better than receiving!
10. I wella chi’ch hun
English meaning: to improve oneself
Self improvement can take many forms, from managing your time (rheoli dy amser) more effectively to encouraging yourself to be more independent (annibynnol) or positive (positif). It can also mean making time for yourself (cymryd amser i dy hun).
What is your number one resolution (adduned) for the New Year?