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Welsh Word of the Day: Drysu (confused)

October 30, 2023 By Heather Broster Go to Comments

In Welsh, the verb drysu means (to get / be) confused.

drysu

to get / be confused

This term originates from the adjective dyrys, which carries meanings like ‘wild, rough, tangled, thorny, thick-branched, intricate, and entangled to name a few.

This root can also be seen in related words like drysi (briers, brambles, thornbushes) and llwyn dyrys (bramble thicket), both of which pertain to brambles. One could say that the state of being confused is metaphorically similar to being entangled in a bramble thicket! (Source: Daval Donc)

Dw i wedi drysu am beth y dylwn i fod yn ei wneud.

I’m confused about what I should be doing.

Frustrated confused young woman manager looking at laptop computer while sitting at the office desk, gesturing

In order to say that someone is mentally deranged, you can use the expression drysu yn ei synhwyrau, which literally translates to “confused in one’s senses”. (Source: Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru)

In the place of drysu, it is possible to use the noun ddryswch, which means confusion.

Mae’r holl beth yn ddryswch pur i mi.

The whole thing is really confusing (literally “pure confusion”) to me.

In South Wales, you might also hear the word penbleth (confusion / dilemma).

Dw i mewn penbleth am beth y dylwn i fod yn ei wneud.

I’m confused about what I should be doing.

In North Wales, on the other hand, ffwndro and mwydro are common alternatives.

Dw i wedi ffwndro/mwydro.

I’m confused.

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