mawr
Big
Usage
For stating size, e.g. clothes or rooms
Grammar Note
Welsh adjectives follow the noun and lenite after a feminine singular noun: "gwlad fawr"
bach
Small
Usage
The opposite of big; use it to ask for another size
Grammar Note
After a feminine noun it becomes "fach"
trwm
Heavy
Usage
Describe a heavy bag, often before asking for help
Grammar Note
After a feminine noun it becomes "drwm"
ysgafn
Light (weight)
Usage
Light in weight — a different word from "bright"
Grammar Note
Light in weight; light in colour is "golau"
drud
Expensive
Usage
Opens a price negotiation
Grammar Note
After a feminine noun it becomes "ddrud"
rhad
Cheap
Usage
Use it when hunting for a cheaper option
Grammar Note
After a feminine noun it becomes "rad"
poeth
Hot
Usage
Hot to the touch — distinct from hot weather
Grammar Note
Hot to the touch; for weather Welsh says "Mae hi'n boeth"
oer
Cold
Usage
Cold to the touch — distinct from cold weather
Grammar Note
Cold to the touch; for weather, "Mae hi'n oer"
newydd
New
Usage
For asking for a new item or a different room
Grammar Note
It does not change after a feminine noun
hen
Old (thing)
Usage
Old as in an object — not used for people here
Grammar Note
Old as in an object; exceptionally it precedes the noun: "hen dŷ"
ifanc
Young
Usage
For talking about a person's age
Grammar Note
It does not change after a feminine noun
oedrannus
Old (person)
Usage
The word used for people; keep it apart from "old thing"
Grammar Note
The polite word for an elderly person, from "oed" (age)
glân
Clean
Usage
For the cleanliness of a room or of water
Grammar Note
Mainly "clean" (it can also mean clear or fair); the usual word for beautiful is "prydferth"
budr
Dirty
Usage
For complaints, e.g. asking to change rooms
Grammar Note
Southern Welsh often uses "brwnt"
da
Good
Usage
The most general word for a positive judgement
Grammar Note
After a feminine noun it becomes "dda"
drwg
Bad
Usage
For reporting something faulty or unwell
Grammar Note
After a feminine noun it becomes "ddrwg"
agos
Near
Usage
Comes up constantly as an answer about distance
Grammar Note
"Ydy e'n agos?" is the standard question
pell
Far
Usage
Check it to decide between walking and taking transport
Grammar Note
"Ydy e'n bell?" is the traveller's standard question, with lenition to "bell"
cynnar
Early
Usage
Early in time — this entry is about the clock, not speed
Grammar Note
Early in time; fast in speed is "cyflym"
hwyr
Late
Usage
Late in time; also used to report a delay
Grammar Note
Late in time; slow in speed is "araf"
llawer
Many
Usage
A large quantity; handy for adjusting an order
Grammar Note
Works for count and amount; before a noun it is "llawer o"
ychydig
Few
Usage
A small quantity; use it to ask for less
Grammar Note
Works for count and amount; before a noun it is "ychydig o"
Mae hi'n boeth
Hot (weather)
Usage
Hot weather; many languages use a different word than for hot objects
Grammar Note
Weather takes the dummy feminine subject "hi" and lenites "poeth" to "boeth"
Mae hi'n oer
Cold (weather)
Usage
Cold weather; many languages use a different word than for cold objects
Grammar Note
Weather takes the dummy subject "hi"; "oer" does not lenite
del
Cute
Usage
Used broadly for people, things, and animals
cŵl
Cool
Usage
Mainly about looks; a colloquial loanword from English, widely used in speech
blasus
Delicious
Usage
The word you will reach for most often at the table
anhygoel
Amazing
Usage
An expression of surprise and admiration
hwyliog
Fun
Usage
For describing an experience itself; the adjective form of the noun "hwyl" (fun)
sych
Dry
Usage
Dry, whether of laundry or of the weather
gwlyb
Wet
Usage
Wet — a much-used word about Welsh weather
llawn
Full
Usage
Says a seat, room or container is full
gwag
Empty
Usage
Says a seat, room or container is empty
diogel
Safe
Usage
Point at it to ask whether something is safe
peryglus
Dangerous
Usage
Warns that something is dangerous; same root as the sign "PERYGL"
prysur
Busy
Usage
Crowded, or busy in the sense of having a lot on
tawel
Quiet
Usage
Quiet; it mutates to "dawel" after a feminine noun
cryf
Strong
Usage
Strong — of medicine, drink or wind
More Welsh phrases
- Basic Words
- Basic Nouns
- Basic Verbs
- Question Words
- Greetings
- Food & Drinks
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Numbers
- Hotel
- Emergency
- Sightseeing
- Flirting
- Nightlife
- Massage & Spa
- Compliments
- Contacts & SNS
- Beach & Activities
- Places & Areas
- Useful Phrases
- Airport & Customs
- Weather & Climate
- Pharmacy & Health
- Directions
- Money & Exchange
- Health & Hospital
- Internet & WiFi
- Nature & Outdoors
- Religion & Temples
- Café & Drinks
- Schedule & Booking
- Culture & Etiquette
- Traveling with Kids
- Sports & Activities
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- Dating Apps
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- Fruits
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- Markets & Souvenirs
- Wine & Spirits
- Car Rental & Driving
- Time & Dates
- Hiking & Trekking
- Diving & Water Sports
- Skiing & Winter Sports
- Hot Springs & Baths
- Yoga & Wellness
- Casino & Gambling
- Beauty & Grooming
- Remote Work
- Fashion & Clothing
- Convenience Store
- Martial Arts
- Signs
- Body Parts
- Animals
- Vehicles
- Electronics
- Feelings
- Slang
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences