The Welsh word for ‘milk’ in Welsh is llefrith or llaeth. Generally speaking, llefrith is used more in North Wales whereas llaeth is used more in South Wales. However, saying that, there are also some regional variations, depending where you are in the country.
llefrith
llaeth
For example, in Bala, North Wales, people generally use llaeth, but in Trawsfynydd, a village approximately 30 minutes down the road, people use llefrith.
Another example would be parts of north East Wales, to the east of the Conwy river, where some people would use llaeth and others would use llefrith.
This topic often stirs controversy among Welsh speakers, as the word in question can spark debates due to its variations. Recently, people have even turned to social media polls to gather opinions. However, there’s no need to worry too much—both llefrith and llaeth are acceptable ways to say milk, so you can choose either with confidence!
For South Wales, the pronunciation of the word would be llâth.
As both are masculine nouns, there’s no need to mutate:
- Llaeth enwyn – Buttermilk
- Llefrith / llaeth cyddwys – Condensed milk
- Llefrith / llaeth pasteureiddiedig – Pasteurized milk
- Dyn llefrith / llaeth – Milkman
- Llefrith / llaeth sgim – Skimmed milk
- Llefrith / llaeth cyflawn – Whole milk
- Llaeth mwnci – Alcoholic drink
- Llefrith / llaeth o’r fuwch – Cow’s milk
Here are a few example sentences:
Dw i ar fin bicio allan i’r siop i nôl llefrith. Wyt ti isio rhywbeth?
I’m about to pop out to the shop to get some milk. Do you want something?
Dw i wrth fy modd yn yfed llaeth yn syth o’r fuwch.
I love to drink raw milk.
Mae Jac wedi anghofio prynu llefrith o’r siop.
Jac has forgotten to buy milk from the shop.
Wyt ti am adael rhywfaint o laeth i Siôn Corn?
Are you going to leave some milk for Father Christmas?
So, which one do you prefer? Llefrith or llaeth? Either way, they both taste the same!
