There’s a chill in the air, and colourful lights are twinkling all around town – it must be getting close to Nadolig (Christmas)!
Nadolig
Christmas
Nadolig is probably the most common Welsh term for Christmas, but it’s also common to hear y Nadolig or ‘Dolig for short. If you want to refer to Christmas time in general, you can use the phrase adeg y Nadolig, and if you want to describe something as Christmassy, Welsh has the handy word Nadoligaidd. Though you probably won’t hear it very often, the plural of Nadolig is Nadoligau (Christmases).
According to GPC (Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru), the Welsh word Nadolig comes from the Latin nātālīcia “things relating to a birth”, ultimately from nātālis “pertaining to birth.” We can see the same Celtic reflexes of the same Latin term in Cornish (Nadelik), Breton (Nedeleg), and Irish (Nollaig).
For Cristnogion (Christians), Christmas is an important gŵyl grefyddol (religious holiday) centred around the birth of Iesu Grist (Jesus Christ). Here are some useful terms to help you talk about y Geni (the Nativity) in Welsh:
- Mair a Joseff = Mary and Joseph
- asyn (m) = donkey
- preseb (m) = manger
- stabl (f) = stable
- llety (m) = inn
- Angel Gabriel = Angel Gabriel
- bugeiliaid = shepherds
- y Doethion / y Tri Gŵr Doeth = the Three Wise Men
- y Beibl = the Bible
Mae adeg y Nadolig yn anodd i rai.
Christmas time is difficult for some.
According to the Office for National Statistics, Cristnogaeth (Christianity) remains the most common religion in Wales, accounting for about 43% of the population. These days, however, even more Welsh people (about 46%) are anffyddwyr (atheists). For most people, then, y Nadolig is likely to be about meeting up with loved ones and having a good time!
One of my favourite traddodiadau Nadolig (Christmas traditions) is going out with my family and buying a coeden Nadolig (Christmas tree). We have a box full of addurniadau (decorations) that we’ve collected over the years, including some me and my brothers made as little children. I love the arogl (smell) of the Christmas tree and the siffrwd (rustling) of tinsel; it reminds me of lying awake on Noswyl Nadolig (Christmas Eve), listening out for Santa’s sleigh.
Wyt ti’n dathlu Nadolig?
Do you celebrate Christmas?
Then of course there’s cinio Nadolig (Christmas dinner)! A lot of people will say that Christmas dinner is all about twrci (turkey), but personally I like to make my own Christmas traditions when it comes to food, especially since the RSPCA states that “the way turkeys are reared, handled, transported and slaughtered/killed could be greatly improved”. I love a good tray of llysiau rost (roast vegetables) such as pannas (parsnips), tatws (potatoes) and moron (carrots) and I’m not opposed to a nice nut roast with stuffing either!
On the other hand, I’ve never been a big fan of pwdin Nadolig (Christmas pudding) – I’d much rather have some bara sinsir (gingerbread)! What’s your favourite Christmas treat?
- gwin brwd (m) / gwin poeth (m) = mulled wine
- teisen wyliau (f) = Christmas cake
- boncyff Nadolig (m) = Yule log
- siocled poeth (m) = hot chocolate
- mins-pei (f) / cacen friwdda (f) = mince pie
Nadolig Llawen i chi gyd! Merry Christmas to you all!
