Animals

1. ci

   Dog

   Usage

   The plural "cŵn" takes a circumflex on the ŵ. A sheepdog is "ci defaid" — a common sight on the hills

2. cath

   Cat

   Usage

   With the article: "y gath" — a feminine noun, so it soft-mutates

3. aderyn

   Bird

   Usage

   The plural is "adar". With the article: "yr aderyn"

4. pysgodyn

   Fish

   Usage

   The plural is "pysgod". Fish and chips is "pysgod a sglodion"

5. ceffyl

   Horse

   Usage

   The native "merlyn Cymreig" (Welsh pony) roams semi-wild on the uplands

6. buwch

   Cow

   Usage

   The plural is "buchod". Beef is a different phrase, "cig eidion"

7. mochyn

   Pig

   Usage

   The plural is "moch"; pork is "porc" (also "cig mochyn"; "cig moch" is bacon). Show it to decline pork for religious reasons

8. iâr

   Hen

   Usage

   Keep the circumflex on the â. The plural is "ieir"; a rooster is "ceiliog"; chicken as meat is "cyw iâr"

9. hwyaden

   Duck

   Usage

   The plural is "hwyaid". A fixture of park ponds

10. gafr

    Goat

    Usage

    The plural is "geifr". A herd of feral Kashmir goats lives on the Great Orme at Llandudno and wanders into town

11. dafad

    Sheep

    Usage

    The plural is "defaid". Wales's emblematic animal, far outnumbering the people. On mountain roads they roam unfenced — drive carefully

12. carw

    Deer

    Usage

    The plural is "ceirw". Found in wooded parks such as Margam Country Park

13. llwynog

    Fox

    Usage

    The northern word; the south says "cadno". A textbook north–south pair — both are standard

14. draenog

    Hedgehog

    Usage

    From "draen" (a thorn). Nocturnal, and a regular garden visitor

15. cwningen

    Rabbit

    Usage

    The plural is "cwningod". The hare is a different word, "ysgyfarnog"

16. llygoden

    Mouse

    Usage

    The plural is "llygod". Also the computer kind

17. llygoden fawr

    Rat

    Usage

    Literally "big mouse"; "mawr" soft-mutates to "fawr" after a feminine noun. The word to report one at your lodging

18. ystlum

    Bat

    Usage

    The plural is "ystlumod". They roost in old churches and barns and are strictly protected by law

19. neidr

    Snake

    Usage

    The plural is "nadroedd". The only venomous one is the adder ("gwiber"), found on sunny hillsides — bites are rare but need medical attention

20. madfall

    Lizard

    Usage

    The plural is "madfallod". They bask on stones in the dunes and on heathland. Harmless

21. broga

    Frog

    Usage

    The northern word; the south uses "llyffant", which there also covers toads — context decides

22. morlo

    Seal

    Usage

    From "môr" (sea) + "llo" (calf). Seen in the coves of Pembrokeshire and Anglesey; keep well away during the autumn pupping season

23. gwylan

    Seagull

    Usage

    The plural is "gwylanod". Large and bold in Aberystwyth and Llandudno — they snatch food from your hand, so don't eat as you walk

24. barcud coch

    Red kite

    Usage

    Wales's emblematic raptor. In the 20th century only a handful of pairs in mid-Wales survived in Britain, and the whole recovery traces back to them. Feeding stations such as Rhayader offer close views

25. brân

    Crow

    Usage

    Keep the circumflex on the â. The plural is "brain"; it is also the name of Brân, the hero of the Mabinogi

26. colomen

    Pigeon / dove

    Usage

    The plural is "colomennod". Everywhere in town squares

27. gwybedyn

    Midge / gnat

    Usage

    The plural is "gwybed". Not mosquitoes but these are the pest here — they swarm on still summer evenings by upland lakes. Bring repellent

28. chwilen ddu

    Cockroach

    Usage

    Literally "black beetle"; "du" soft-mutates to "ddu" after a feminine noun. Use it to report one at your lodging

29. morgrugyn

    Ant

    Usage

    The plural is "morgrug". They arrive if food is left out

30. gwenynen

    Bee

    Usage

    The plural is "gwenyn"; honey is "mêl". Seek care at once if you are allergic to stings

31. cacynen

    Wasp

    Usage

    The plural is "cacwn". Drawn to outdoor drinks in late summer

32. corryn

    Spider

    Usage

    The southern word; the north says "pryf copyn" or "pry cop". Welsh house spiders are harmless

33. pili-pala

    Butterfly

    Usage

    The southern word; the north says "iâr fach yr haf" (the little hen of summer), and the literary form is "glöyn byw". All three are correct

34. cleren

    Fly

    Usage

    The southern word; the north says "pryf" or "pryfyn". The plural "clêr" takes a circumflex on the ê

35. slefren fôr

    Jellyfish

    Usage

    Keep the circumflex on the ô; "môr" (sea) soft-mutates to "fôr" after a feminine noun. They wash up on summer beaches

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