People on this forum have different levels of Welsh, from zero to fluent, and so the default language here is English (as mentioned e.g. here: Now LIVE: 'Some Sex and a Hill - or How To Learn Welsh in 3 Easy Pints' by Aran Jones) except for a couple of Welsh-language threads – but from time to time you will come across little Welsh phrases which the regulars sprinkle into their discourse as well
Here are some you may hear, which will probably be obvious on context. But just in case, here’s a translation which may be useful to you if you are still an early beginner, or someone just interested in or just considering learning Welsh. (Regulars can now close this post )
Ardderchog! - Excellent!
Croeso! - Welcome!
Croeso i’r fforwm! - Welcome to the forum!
Da iawn! - Very good!
Dal ati! - Keep at it!
De - South
Diolch! - Thank you!
Diolch yn fawr! - Thank you very much!
fach / bach (after a name) - dear
Gogledd, Gog - North
Lwc dda! - Good luck!
Llongyfarchiadau! - Congratulations!
Mae’n ddrwg gen i! / Mae’n ddrwg gyda fi! - I’m sorry!
Paid â phoeni! / Paid becso! - Don’t worry! (the SSiW motto)
Paid â phoeni amdani! / Paid becso amdani - Don’t worry about it!
Pob lwc! - All the best! Good luck!
sgwrs - conversation
You may detect an underlying theme of optimism and support
Suggestions for additions or corrections are welcome! I’ve also made this entry a wiki so that others can edit it as well.
A brilliant idea indeed:)
I’ve got a habit of saying and writing Welsh phrases now even when I’m writing a message in English or Russian, I don’t know why, I guess I just love Welsh so much I need to make it a part of my daily life.
And one of the things I write most often is “a dweud y gwir” - “to tell the truth”.
Well I’ve read and heard this so many times and it didn’t click that this was what it meant! Almost a phrase hiding in plain sight for me, many thanks.
(this is where one of the phrases on this list should be ‘ahhhh…I get it now’)
Some lovely suggestions which will be useful for learners, but my aim with the first post was more ones that are used frequently within the forum itself, in posts that are otherwise in English
Perhaps I can collect these others in a separate post here, to have them in one place:
dim ots / 'sdim ots - it doesn’t matter
a dweud y gwir - to tell the truth
i fod yn onest - to be honest
yn wir - really
dw i ddim yn siwr / sa i’n siwr - I’m not sure
dw i ddim yn gwybod / sa i’n gwybod / dwn i’m - I don’t know
Yes, literally it’s “small” of course, but Gweiadur lists “dear” as one of its meanings as well, and this seems to be the use after (or instead of) a name
I’ve added three to the first one now as I’m fairly sure I’ve seen those very often from lots of people even in the middle of English text, especially “sgwrs”. Great!
Sa i’n siwr is in the “useful phrases” one. Thanks again!
I never realised that everyone didn’t know that calling someone bach/fach means dear. I suppose, thinking about it, it isn’t mentioned,in a lesson. I use it often and various folk may have wondered why I called them little, when I actually wasn’t.
Yn wir is ‘really’ as well, or truly. Yn wir iawn - very true. Next time I auto-type something like that, I’ll try to remember to come into this thread and add it,.
Cwtch is it Cymraeg? It isn’t spelled like it. Cwtsi?
In an on line gwriadur it’s spelled cwtsh! - cuddle! Cwtsh still isn’t really Welsh spelling!
Sorry for my typing, ipad strikes back! Will edit it tidy!
Not sure if this is right place, but
hafod is traditional word for summer pasture, usually upland. It was used on S4C recently, so I think it’s still used!
surprised the first time i came across the word Hafod, it was the name on a barge which i had to photograph and look up when i got home. i have since come across places including the word in their name in Wales.
It’s the name of my house, and loads of houses in Wales, which sometimes confuses the postie, if they don’t look at the village name/postcode. I receive post for Hafod in the next village regularly.
)
