Although its existence has been brought to question on some occasions through out history the Welsh language is one of the oldest languages in Europe and is still thriving to this day. Thanks to learners of all ages and across the world it seems like we are edging closer and closer to our target of one million speakers by 2050.
In Wales every Welsh-speaker can speak English but not every person can speak Welsh. However it's good to know the basics of the language and to understand the most commonly used words you may hear or see from day to day.
This article won't make you fluent but it may be a good starting point. If you want to take it further there are many great websites, social media groups, and pages that may be useful and Welsh speakers are always happy to help as well.
Here are some helpful Welsh words and phrases to get you started if you don't know the language as of yet, their translation, pronunciation, and when to use them. And if you want to know more about our fantastic Welsh proverbs that will make you instantly wiser then click here.
Read more: The unique origins of our most well-known Welsh place names
1. Shw'mae / Su'mae / S'mai
Translation: Hello!
Pronunciation: shoo-mai / su-mai / s-mai
When to use it? If you are greeting someone new or a friend. The first greeting is how you'd say it in south Wales while the latter two are how you'd say it in north Wales.
2. Sut mae pethau?
Translation: How are things?
Pronunciation: sit mai pethai?
When to use it? When you want to ask someone how they're doing or what they've been up to. Once you've asked 'Shw'mae', you can follow up with this question.
3. Beth ydy'r hanes?
Translation: What's the story/history?
Pronunciation: beth ydee'r hanes?
When to use it? When you want to know how someone's been but also if there's juicy gossip and you want to know more!
4. Iawn
Translation: Okay/right/correct/very
Pronunciation: eeawn
When to use it? This word is probably one of the most versatile words in the Welsh language. You could be asking someone if they're okay: 'Iawn?' and they could answer with: 'Iawn, diolch' (okay, thanks). Someone could be giving you instructions and you could answer with: 'Iawn' (okay/right).
If someone was asking you to clarify something you could reply and say: 'Mae'n iawn' (it's correct) or: 'Dydy hyn ddim yn iawn' (this isn't correct). But it can also be used to describe a verb to a higher degree or a larger amount, for example 'trist iawn' (very sad), 'uchel iawn' (very high), or 'da iawn' (very good).
5. Beth yw dy enw di?
Translation: What is your name?
Pronunciation: beth ew dy enoo dee?
When to use it? When you've just met someone and you want to know their name.
6. Fy enw i yw...
Translation: My name is...
Pronunciation: Vy enoo ee ew...
When to use it? When you're introducing yourself to someone or when someone has asked you 'Beth yw dy enw di?' and you'd reply with: 'Fy enw i yw Dafydd' (My name is Dafydd). Or you can simply answer to this question with: 'Dafydd dw i' (I'm Dafydd).
7. Dw i'n...
Translation: I am/I do...
Pronunciation: doo ee'n
When to use it? When you want to describe how you're feeling or what you're doing. For example 'dw i'n hapus' (I'm happy) or 'dw i'n cerdded' (I'm walking).
8. Ga'i...?
Translation: May I have...?
Proununciation: ga'ee
When to use it? When you are asking for something, for example 'ga'i siocled?' (can I have chocolate?), 'ga'i cwtsh?' (can I have a hug/cwtch?) or 'ga'i gerdded?' (can I walk?). If you want to ask for something in a polite way you could say: 'Ga'i siocled, os gwelwch yn dda?' (Can I have chocolate please?).
9. Wyt ti eisiau...?
Translation: Do you want...?
Pronunciation: ooit tee ayshai?
When to use it? When you want to ask someone if they want something, for example: 'Wyt ti eisiau siocled?' (Do you want chocolate?). If someone asks you this question you can reply with 'os gwelwch yn dda' (yes, please) or 'dim diolch' (no, thank you).
10. Mae'n...
Translation: It's...
Pronunciation: mai'n
When to use it? You can use this phrase for a lot of things but, in this instance, we are going to use it to describe the day or situation. For example you could use this phrase to describe the weather: 'mae'n wyntog' (it's windy) or 'mae'n dawel' (it's quiet). Or you could use it to say what day of the week it is: 'Mae'n ddydd Mercher' (it's Wednesday).
11. Dipyn bach
Translation: A little bit
Pronunciation: deepin bach
When to use it? If someone asks you if you speak Welsh and you are currently learning, you can reply with 'dipyn bach' (a little bit).
12. Ych-a-fi!
Translation: Disguting/awful
Pronunciation: ych-ah-vee
When to use it? When something is truly disgusting or awful. The English equivalent would be yuck, ew, or gross.
13. Da iawn!
Translation: Very good!
Pronunciation: da eeawn
When to use it? As mentioned earlier 'iawn' means 'very' in this phrase while 'da' means 'good'. You can use this phrase to praise someone on their work, almost like 'well done', or to describe how you are feeling when someone asks you: 'Sut mae pethau?' (How are things?) and you would reply with: 'Da iawn, diolch' (very good, thank you).
14. Chwarae teg!
Translation: Fair play!
Pronunciation: chwa-rai teg
When to use it? When you respect someone's action.
15. Dim brys!
Translation: No rush
Pronunciation: dim brees
When to use it? When someone's rushing about or running a bit late you want to reassure them that there's 'dim brys' (no rush).
16. Dal ati!
Translation: Keep at it
Pronunciation: dal atee
When to use it? When you're encouraging someone to keep trying, say: 'Dal ati' (keep at it).
17. Tyrd/Dewch!
Translation: Come (singular)/Come (plural)
Pronunciation: tird/deooch
When to use it? When you are leading the way and you want someone to come with you you say: 'Tyrd!' (come). But if there's more than one person with you you say: 'Dewch!' (come).
18. I'r chwith
Translation: To the left
Pronunciation: ee'r chooeeth
When to use it? When you are giving someone directions and you want them to go to the left. They may ask: 'lle nesaf?' (where next?) and you would reply with: 'I'r chwith' (to the left).
19. I'r dde
Translation: To the right
Pronunciation: ee'r the
When to use it? When you are giving someone directions and you want them to go to the right. They may ask: 'lle nesaf?' (where next?) and you would reply with: 'I'r dde' (to the right). However it should be noted that the singular d-word of 'de' means 'south', for example 'de Cymru' (south Wales).
20. Syth ymlaen
Translation: Straight ahead
Pronunciation: sith ymlain
When to use it? When you are giving someone directions and you want them to go straight ahead. You could simply say 'ymlaen' (ahead) as well.
21. Cariad
Translation: Love
Pronunciation: careead
When to use it? This word is a term of endearment and can be used for when you are talking to someone that means a lot to you like your friend or child. But it's also used to refer to your partner, 'cariad' (lover), as there are no formal Welsh words for 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend'.
22. Cyw
Translation: Chick
Pronunciation: like queue
When to use it? Another term of endearment, this word is usually when you are talking to someone that means a lot to you but usually is for someone younger than you, for example a child.
23. Os gwelwch yn dda
Translation: Please
Pronunciation: os gooelooch yn tha
When to use it? When you are asking for something, for example: 'Ga'i siocled, os gwelwch yn dda?' (can I have chocolate, please?).
24. Diolch yn fawr
Translation: Thank you.
Pronunciation: deeolch yn vaoor
When to use it? When you are thanking somebody, for example: 'Diolch yn fawr am y siocled' (thank you very much for the chocolate).
25. Mae'n ddrwg gen i
Translation: I'm sorry.
Pronunciation: mai'n throog gen ee
When to use it? When you are excusing yourself or apologising for something.
26. Dw i ddim yn deall
Translation: I don't understand
Pronunciation: doo ee thim yn deall
When to use it? As implied, when you don't understand something.
27. Croeso!
Translation: Welcome!
Pronunciation: croiso
When to use it? When you are welcoming someone to somewhere, for example: 'Croeso i Gymru' (welcome to Wales), but can also be used after someone has thanked you, for example: 'diolch yn fawr' (thank you) and you'd reply with 'croeso!' (you're welcome).
28. Llongyfarchiadau!
Translation: Congratulations!
Pronunciation: llongy-varch-eeadai
When to use it? To congratulate someone.
29. Penblwydd Hapus!
Translation: Happy Birthday!
Pronunciation: pen-blooith hapis
When to use it? To wish someone a happy birthday.
30. Bore da
Translation: Good morning
Pronunciation: bore da
When to use it? To wish someone a good morning.
31. P'nawn da
Translation: Good afternoon
Pronunciation: p'naoon da
When to use it? To wish someone a good afternoon. The formal spelling is 'prynhawn da' but often people shorten it and say 'p'nawn da'.
32. Nos da
Translation: Good night
Pronunciation: nos da
When to use it? To wish someone good night.
33. Hwyl!
Translation: Goodbye!
Pronunciation: hooil
When to use it? To say goodbye to someone but 'hwyl' also means 'fun'. You can also say 'hwyl fawr!' which literally translates to 'big fun' but also means 'goodbye'.
34. Welai chi wedyn!
Translation: See you later!
Pronunciation: welai chi wedin
When to use it? This phrase can be used as a friendly goodbye or to literally say that you will see them later. 'Chi' is a formal way of saying 'you' as well as a a plural 'you'. If you are referring to someone singular and informally you can say: 'Welai di wedyn'.
35. Dw i'n dysgu Cymraeg
Translation: I'm learning Welsh.
Pronunciation: doo-ee'n dysgi Cymraig
When to use it? When you are simply learning Welsh and we always love to hear this sentence! Before long however you'll be able to say: 'Dwi'n siarad Cymraeg yn rhugl', which means 'I speak Welsh fluently'.
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