As a first language Welsh speaker, being brought up in a solely Welsh speaking household has certainly shaped who I am today. As research shows, learning another language is extremely beneficial and passing on this wonderful language to your kids will bring them more opportunities in life.
Indeed, “linguists warn that the Welsh language is in danger unless more parents pass it on to their children”. With this in mind, this article contains fifty Welsh phrases for you to use with your children or grandchildren to help them make the most of their second language skills.
Important: Throughout the article, I’ve used the ti form (second person singular) but if you have more than one child, make sure to switch to the chi form (second person plural).
10 Welsh Phrases: In the morning
Here are a few set phrases Welsh parents always use when their children first wake up in the morning. Within this collection, you’ll find a range of sentiments – from warm greetings and affectionate phrases that convey love and care, to playful encouragements that nudge kids into action.
Bore da, cariad!
Good morning, sweetheart!
Wnes di gysgu’n iawn?
Did you sleep well?
Mae hi’n amser codi. ‘Da ni angen cael ein hunain yn barod i…
It’s time to get up. We need to get ready for…
Tyrd yma er mwyn i mi allu dy gofleidio / rhoi sws i ti.
Come here so I can give you a kiss/hug.
Wyt ti’n llwglyd? Tyrd o ’na, tyrd i ni fynd i gael brecwast.
Are you hungry? Come on, let’s go have breakfast.
Wyt ti angen mynd i wneud pi-pi?
Do you need to pee?
Tyrd, awn ni i’r llofft i wisgo amdanom a mynd i lawr y grisiau.
Let’s get dressed and go downstairs.
Mae hi’n rhy gynnar. Awn ni i gysgu am hanner awr arall.
It’s too early. Let’s sleep another half an hour.
Wel dyna i ti ddylyfiad gên, wyt ti dal yn gysglyd? Tyrd yma, wna’i dy godi di i fyny.
What a yawn, are you still sleepy? Come here and I’ll pick you up.
Deffra, mae hi’n hwyr! Mae hi’n saith o’r gloch yn barod!
Wake up, it’s late! It’s already seven o’clock!
10 Welsh Phrases: At the table
Here we have a collection of phrases you will often hear at the breakfast, lunch or dinner table when kids are around.
Mae bwyd yn barod. Tyrd at y bwrdd!
The pasta is ready. Come to the table!
Wnes di olchi dy ddwylo? Maen nhw’n fudur i gyd!
Did you wash your hands? They’re all dirty!
Mae o dipyn bach yn boeth. Wyt ti eisiau i mi chwythu arno?
It’s a bit hot. Do you want me to blow on it?
Bwyta / eistedda’n iawn, plîs
Eat / sit properly, please.
Os wnei di fwyta pum darn o frocoli, wna’i roi bisged i ti.
If you eat five pieces of broccoli, I’ll give you a biscuit.
Wyt ti’n ei hoffi? Ydy o’n neis?
Do you like it? Is it good?
Defnyddia dy fforc / lwy, fel mae plant mawr yn ei wneud.
Use your fork / spoon, like a big kid.
Wyt ti eisiau mwy? Iawn, beth yw’r gair arbennig?
Do you want some more? Ok, what’s the magic word?
Wyt ti wedi cael digon? Does dim chwant bwyd arnat ti ragor?
Have you had enough? You aren’t hungry anymore?
Gad i mi olchi dy wyneb / ddwylo cyn i ti ddod i lawr. Mae gen ti … drosot ti!
Let me wash your face / hands before you get down. You’re all covered in…!
10 Welsh Phrases: Playtime
During moments of play with your child, certain phrases tend to crop up over and over again, regardless of the specific game at hand.
Wyt ti eisiau chwarae…?
Do you want to play…?
Tro pwy sydd nesaf? Iawn, dy dro di.
Whose turn is it? Ok, it’s your turn.
Gallwn ni chwarae am ddeg munud, ond wedyn dw i’n gorfod…
We can play for ten minutes but then I have to…
Gadewch i ni esgus ein bod yn…
Let’s pretend that we are…
Wyt ti wedi cael digon (o’r gêm hon)? Gadewch i ni chwarae gêm arall.
Are you fed up (with this game)? Let’s play a different game.
Mae’n rhaid i ni rannu ein teganau.
We have to share our toys.
Os wyt ti eisiau chwarae gêm arall, mae rhaid i ni gadw’r gêm hon yn gyntaf.
If you want to play another game, we need to put this one away first.
Mae’n amser cadw popeth. Lle mae’r tegannau ‘ma’n mynd i?
It’s time to clean up. Where do these toys go?
Bydd yn dawel, ti’n gorgynhyrfu.
Calm down, you’re getting overexcited.
Os hoffet ti, gallwn ni chwarae’r (gêm hon) yfory.
We can play (this game) tomorrow if you want.
10 Welsh Phrases: Spending time outdoors
When we’re outdoors with our children, our priority is their enjoyment and safety, and these Welsh phrases reflect those intentions.
Gafaela yn fy llaw pan fyddwn ni’n croesi’r ffordd.
Hold my hand when we cross the street.
Arhosa’n agos at mam. Paid â mynd yn rhy bell.
Stay close to mummy. Don’t go too far.
Wyt ti wedi brifo? Lle? Byddi di’n teimlo’n well yn fuan.
Did you hurt yourself? Where? It will feel better soon.
Wyt ti eisiau mynd i’r parc? Gallwn ni fynd ar y siglen a’r sleid.
Do you want to go to the park? We can go on the swing and the slide.
Tyrd o ’na, rheda at mam! Yli pa mor gyflym wyt ti!
Come on, run towards mummy! Look how fast you are!
Dos i chwarae ar dy ben dy hun am ychydig. Mi wneith mam aros amdanat ti’n fan hyn.
Go and play by yourself for a while. Mummy will wait for you here.
Pum munud arall ac yna bydd rhaid i ni fynd adref, iawn?
Five more minutes and then we have to go home, ok?
Ryda ni bron â chyrraedd.
We’re almost there.
Wyt ti eisiau i mi dy gario neu wyt ti eisiau cerdded?
Do you want me to carry you or do you want to walk?
Ti wedi blino, yn do? Beth am eistedd yn y pram am ychydig.
You’re tired, aren’t you? How about going in the stroller for a bit.
10 Welsh Phrases: Bedtime routine
At bedtime, our focus is on the night time routine, encompassing activities such as brushing their teeth and the indispensable bedtime story.
Mae hi’n amser gwely, cariad.
It’s time for bed, sweetheart.
Dw i’n gwybod dwyt ti ddim eisiau mynd i’r gwely ond mae hi’n hwyr.
I know you don’t want to go to bed but it’s late.
Mae’n rhaid i ni godi’n gynnar bore fory.
We have to get up early tomorrow morning.
Wyt ti eisiau sws nos da?
Do you want a goodnight kiss?
Dyma dy degan meddal. Rho gofleidiad iddo fo a fyddi di ddim yn ofn o’r tywyllwch wedyn
Here’s your plushie. Give him a cuddle and you won’t be scared of the dark.
Dos i wneud pi-pi a brwsia dy ddannedd.
Go have a wee and brush your teeth.
Gadewch i ni ddarllen stori amser gwely.
Let’s read a bedtime story.
Tyrd, awn ni i wisgo ein pyjamas. Fedri di wneud dy hun?
Let’s put on our pyjamas. Can you dress yourself?
Wna i aros efo ti tan i ti ddisgyn i gysgu.
I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep.
Nos da, cariad. Cysga’n dawel.
Goodnight, sweetheart. Sweet dreams.
