Welsh (Cymraeg) is a Celtic language spoken primarily in Wales. Despite the challenges of revitalizing a language once in decline, Welsh has seen a resurgence in use, thanks to educational policies and community support. Learning Welsh can enrich your experience in Wales, connecting you with the nation’s rich history and vibrant contemporary culture. This lesson covers essential conversational phrases and questions in Welsh, facilitating various social interactions.

Greetings

• Hello/Hi – “Helo” / “Helo” or “S’mae” (informal, pronounced “shmai”)
• Good morning – “Bore da” (bore-eh dah)
• Good afternoon – “Prynhawn da” (prin-hown dah)
• Good evening – “Noswaith dda” (nos-waith thah)
• Goodbye – “Hwyl fawr” (hoil vour) for farewell, “Hwyl” (hoil) informally

Introducing Yourself or Others

• My name is [name]. – “Fy enw i yw [name].” (vuh enoo ee ew [name])
• This is [name]. – “Dyma [name].” (duh-mah [name])
• I am from [country]. – “Dw i’n dod o [country].” (doo een dohd oh [country])
• I live in [city/place]. – “Dw i’n byw yn [city/place].” (doo een beew uhn [city/place])

Asking for Directions or People

• Where is the [place]? – “Ble mae’r [place]?” (bleh mire [place]?)
• How do I get to [place]? – “Sut mae mynd i [place]?” (siht mai mund ee [place]?)
• Is this the way to [place]? – “Ydy hwn y ffordd i [place]?” (uh-dee hoon uh for-th ee [place]?)
• Can you show me on the map? – “Allwch chi ddangos i mi ar y map?” (al-ooch chee thang-os ee mee ar uh map?)

Solving a Misunderstanding

• Sorry, I don’t understand. – “Mae’n ddrwg gen i, dw i ddim yn deall.” (mine throog gen ee, doo ee thim uhn the-al)
• Can you please repeat that? – “Allwch chi ailadrodd hynny, os gwelwch yn dda?” (al-ooch chee ail-ad-roth huhn-nuh, os gwel-ooch uhn tha?)
• I mean… – “Rwy’n golygu…” (roo-een gol-ig)
• What does [word] mean? – “Beth mae [word] yn golygu?” (beth mai [word] uhn gol-ig?)

Farewell Expressions

• See you later – “Gweld chi’n hwyrach” (gwehld cheen whoo-rakh)
• Take care – “Gofalwch” (goh-val-ookh)
• Have a good day – “Cael diwrnod da” (kile dee-urnod dah)

Travel and Dining

• I would like to book a room. – “Hoffwn i archebu ystafell.” (hoff-oon ee ar-cheb-ee ustav-ell)
• Can I see the menu, please? – “Ga i weld y fwydlen, os gwelwch yn dda?” (gah ee weld uh fwyd-len, os gwel-ooch uhn tha?)
• I am vegetarian. – “Dw i’n llysieuwr.” (doo een llus-ee-ai-oor)
• The bill, please. – “Y bil, os gwelwch yn dda?” (uh beel, os gwel-ooch uhn tha?)

Shopping

• How much does this cost? – “Faint mae hwn yn costio?” (fint mai hoon uhn kost-yoh?)
• Do you have this in another size? – “Oes gennych chi hwn mewn maint arall?” (oyss gen-uhch chee hoon mown maint ar-al?)
• I’m just looking, thanks. – “Dwi jyst yn edrych, diolch.” (dwee just uhn ed-ruch, dee-olch)
• Can I pay by card? – “Ga i dalu gyda cherdyn?” (gah ee dal-ee guh-dah cher-din?)

Dating and Love

• You look beautiful. (to a woman) / You look handsome. (to a man) – “Rwyt ti’n edrych yn hyfryd.” / “Rwyt ti’n edrych yn golygus.”
• I miss you. – “Rwy’n dy golli di.” (roo-een duh gol-lee dee)
• I love you. – “Rwy’n dy garu di.” (roo-een duh gar-ee dee)
• Would you like to go out with me? – “Hoffet ti fynd allan gyda mi?” (hoff-et tee vund al-lan guh-dah mee?)

Emergencies

• Help! – “Help!” (help)
• Call the police! – “Ffoniwch yr heddlu!” (ffon-ee-ookh ur heth-llee)
• I need a doctor. – “Mae arna i angen doctor.” (mai ar-nah ee ang-en doct-or)
• Where is the nearest hospital? – “Ble mae’r ysbyty agosaf?” (bleh mire us-but-ee ag-os-av?)

These phrases provide a solid foundation for basic communication in Welsh. Practice speaking and listening regularly, engage with Welsh media, and don’t hesitate to converse with native speakers. Remember, language learning is a journey—embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and continue to explore the rich linguistic and cultural nuances of the Welsh language.