One sentiment I always hear expressed by Welsh learners is frustration at those who are confused by the choice to learn what is a relatively small language in the grand scheme of things. If you’ve fallen in love with y Gymraeg (the Welsh language), it will seem only naturiol (natural) that you’d want to master this beautiful, poetic tongue.
naturiol
natural
Naturiol is an adjective form of natur, a borrowing of the English nature which itself comes from French and, originally, Latin.
It can be used to describe something to do with natur and the byd naturiol (natural world), like harddwch naturiol (natural beauty) or dethol(iad) naturiol (natural selection). It can also be used, as in English, to convey that something is considered normal and expected.
This extends into its use as an adverb. In Welsh, an adjective is converted into an adverb by the simple addition of the word yn (used in many ways, but here simply a linking particle), so naturally is yn naturiol. Someone can do something yn naturiol (naturally / in a natural way), and equally a phenomenon may occur yn naturiol (naturally / in nature / without interference).
You can also use yn naturiol to say Naturally! as in Of course! or Understandably!
Plus, the word forms nouns like naturioldeb (naturalness, the quality or state of being natural) and naturiolaeth (naturalism, a philosophical idea privileging natural over supernatural forces). There’s also the adjective naturyddol (naturalistic). Or you might want to talk about astudiaeth(au) natur (natural history, the study of plants and animals), and someone who engages in this pursuit is a naturiaethwr.
Mae’n well ganddo weithio tu allan a mwynhau’r byd naturiol.
He prefers working outdoors and enjoying the natural world.
Many useful terms employ naturiol, in areas ranging from bioleg (biology) to cerddoriaeth (music).
- nwy naturiol = natural gas
- cyfoeth naturiol = natural resources
- heintiad naturiol = natural infection
- heintryddid naturiol = natural immunity
- y ddeddf naturiol = natural law
- siop bwydydd naturiol = a health foods shop
- genedigaeth naturiol = a natural birth
- achosion naturiol = of a death, natural causes
- nodyn naturiol = in music, a natural note
- rhif naturiol = in maths, a natural number
The somewhat archaic English phrase natural philosophy referring to the physical sciences isn’t really used in modern Welsh – we just say gwyddoniaeth (science).
The vocabulary used to describe someone being a natural at something or something coming naturally to them is also different. It would actually be more natural in Welsh to say that someone has a skill o’i eni (from birth) or that it is their ail natur (second nature).
Another expression in this family is mae’r ddawn ganddi hi / mae’r ddawn ganddo fo (she has the talent / he has the talent). This utilises the quite unique Welsh word dawn meaning a powerful and innate talent, gift, virtue, or wisdom.
Mae siarad yn naturiol, ond mae distewi’n ddoeth.
Talking is natural, but being silent is wise.
One of the things Wales is best known for is its natur, from the awe-inspiring mynyddau (mountains) of Eryri (Snowdonia) and y Bannau (the Brecon Beacons) to the sumptuous beaches of Sir Benfro (Pembrokeshire) and Ynys Môn (Anglesey).
Cymru (Wales) has three parciau cenedlaethol (national parks) known for their breath-taking golygfeydd (views), as well as the diversity of natur and bywyd gwyllt (wildlife). There are also five ardaloedd harddwch naturiol eithriadol (areas of outstanding natural beauty), and many more gwarchodfeydd natur (nature reserves).
The International Global Biodiversity Framework, which Wales alongside the rest of the UK nations have committed to, states that by 2030, 30% of our country’s tir (land) should be committed to the restoration of our tirweddau naturiol (natural landscapes) and bywyd gwyllt. This is intended to help tackle the argyfwng hinsawdd (climate crisis) and protect threatened rhywogaethau (species).
Sadly, we’re currently at just over 2% with less than five years to go, though the Welsh government continue to reassure pressure groups that this ambitious goal is still within reach.
There’s more we all could do – whether it’s donating arian (money) to organisations devoted to the byd naturiol or volunteering your time to efforts in local gwarchodaeth natur (conservation).
If you live in Cymru, why not reach out to a gwarchodfa natur (nature reserve) near you and see how you can get involved with the fight to protect our harddwch naturiol?
