Ah, Cardiff – the capital of Wales and its largest city. Located at the southern end of the country, it is the home of the National Assembly for Wales, most cultural institutions, the Welsh media and a fantastic castle. What’s not to love?
Words
The Welsh Word for Gift / Present – Anrheg
If there is one thing all children look forward to at Christmas, it is receiving gifts under the tree from Father Christmas!
anrheg
present / gift
How to Say “Wales” in the Welsh Language – Cymru
The Welsh word for Wales is Cymru which comes from the Welsh name for the people of Wales, Cymry. Cymru Wales Mae Cymru yn wlad mor brydferth. Wales is such a beautiful country. Both words are descended from the Brythonic word combrogi which means compatriots. It is suspected that it came into use sometime before …
Learn the Welsh for Nanny and Grandad
Depending on where you live in Wales, there are different names for grandparents in the Welsh language.
mamgu
nanny (S)
tadcu
granddad (S)
nain
nanny (N)
taid
granddad (N)
How to Say ‘Iron’ and ‘Ironing Board’ in Welsh
A word that everyone seems to know in Wales, regardless of whether they actually speak Welsh or not, is smwddio, or smwddo without the i if you live in the south. Both mean to iron (clothes) and derive from the English word smooth.
Basic Welsh Phrases: Happy Birthday! (Pen-blwydd Hapus!)
The Welsh way of saying Happy Birthday is Pen blwydd Hapus or Pen-blwydd Hapus. You may also see it spelt as Penblwydd Hapus.
Pen-blwydd hapus i ti! – Diolch!
Happy birthday to you! – Thanks!
The Welsh Word for “Horse” – “Ceffyl”
Few animals have had such a great impact on British civilisation as the humble horse. The domestication of horses began in Britain by the 25th century BC and over the years, they have been used for warfare, agriculture and transportation. Today horses are kept mostly for recreational purposes but they remain a much-loved animal across the British Isles and the world.
How to say “hug” or “cuddle” in Welsh
There is a popular saying in Wales: “Anyone can cuddle but only the Welsh can cwtsh!”
‘Cwtsh’ – or cwtch / cwts / cwtsi as it is alternatively spelt – can be loosely translated as “hug” or “cuddle” in English and is pronounced like the word “butch”. It is so popular that the Welsh sometimes use it even when they are speaking in English!
cwtsh
a cuddle
The Welsh word for “Grandmother” – Nain or Mam-gu?
Depending on where you live in Wales, there are different ways of saying grandmother in Welsh. nain grandma mamgu grandma If you call North Wales your home, the most common word you’ll hear is nain while South Walians prefer the cute-sounding mam-gu (pronounced maam-gee). However this doesn’t mean you won’t hear nain in the south …
The Welsh Word for Welcome – Croeso!
As you cross the border from England into Wales, you will be greeted by the expression “Welcome to Wales” or “Croeso i Gymru” on most signs.