Few books are as useful as a dictionary, whether you are learning a brand new language or trying to improve your knowledge of your mother tongue. In Welsh, this useful tool is known as a geiriadur.
geiriadur
dictionary
Geiriadur is the combination of the plural form of gair, meaning word in Welsh, and the suffix -iadur which is a suffix used to denote various kinds of books and devices. Other examples that use this suffix include cyfrifiadur (computer), which combines cyfrifo (to count) and -iadur, and dyddiadur (diary), which is the combination of dydd (day) and -iadur.
The plural form is geiriaduron and it mutates in the following manner:
Soft mutation
eiriadur
Nasal mutation
ngeiriadur
Aspirate mutation
N/A
When discussing dictionaries in Welsh, there’s really only one expression you’ll need to learn: chwilio am, which means to look for or to search for. However, in the context of dictionaries, it’s best understood as to look up.
Dw i’n defnyddio geiriadur i chwilio am eiriau.
I use a dictionary to look up words.
Below is a list of the most common types of dictionaries you are likely to encounter:
- bywgraffiadur (or geiriadur bywgraffyddol) = biographical dictionary
- geiriadur Beiblaidd = dictionary of the Bible
- geiriadur cyfachyddol = etymological dictionary
- geiriadur bach = pocket dictionary (literally “little dictionary”)
- geiriadur ar lein = online dictionary
- thesawrws = thesaurus
- geiriadur dwyieithog = bilingual dictionary
However, when learning Welsh, there’s one other special type of dictionary that might come in handy: an odliadur (rhyming dictionary). This comes from combining geiriadur with the verb odli, which means to rhyme. Odliaduron (rhyming dictionaries) are common tools in Welsh high-schools, used alongside geiriaduron and thesawrysau, particularly when students are writing barddoniaeth (poetry). Their prominence reflects the importance of rhythm and rhyme in Welsh culture, and they’re quite fun, too!
Given that you are all devoted students of the Welsh language, I would say that owning a copy of a geiriadur Cymraeg (Welsh dictionary) is absolutely essential. (I actually own at least four, but let’s not go there!) Here are a few recommendations!
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- Pocket Modern Welsh Dictionary (affiliate link) – great for beginners
- Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru (Y Drindod Dewi Sant) – a reliable online dictionary for beginners
- Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru – the most reliable online Welsh language dictionary
- Geiriadur yr Academi – an online dictionary that translates from English to Welsh
- Ap Geiriaduron – an app you can download to your phone
- Gweiadur – a great dictionary with audio pronunciation
In conclusion, it’s worth mentioning that there’s an alternative form of this word: geirlyfr, which combines gair (word) once again and llyfr (book). However, this term is not as widely used as geiriadur.
