Greetings

1. Helo / Shwmae

   Hel-o / Shoo-mai

   Hello / Hi

   Usage

   Common Welsh greetings; Shwmae is especially used in South Wales

   Grammar Note

   Shwmae is informal; "Sut mae?" is more common in North Wales

2. Diolch

   Dee-olch

   Thank you

   Usage

   The most common Welsh word for thank you

   Grammar Note

   "Diolch yn fawr" means "thank you very much" — a more emphatic form

3. Hwyl fawr

   Hoo-il vowr

   Goodbye

   Usage

   The Welsh farewell; "Hwyl" alone is also used as a casual goodbye

   Grammar Note

   "Hwyl" can also mean "good spirit" or "have fun" depending on context

4. Ie / Nage

   Yeh / Nah-geh

   Yes / No

   Usage

   Basic Welsh words for yes and no

   Grammar Note

   Welsh traditionally uses verb echoing to answer yes/no questions, but Ie and Nage are commonly used

5. Os gwelwch yn dda

   Os gwe-luch un thah

   Please

   Usage

   The Welsh way to say please when making a request

   Grammar Note

   Literally "if you see it as good." Using it in Welsh-speaking areas is always appreciated

6. Sut hwyl?

   Sit hoil?

   How are you? (casual)

   Usage

   Casual greeting among friends and acquaintances in Wales

   Grammar Note

   "hwyl" is a uniquely Welsh word meaning spirit or good cheer — also used in "Hwyl fawr" (goodbye)

7. Croeso i Gymru!

   Kroy-so ee Gum-ri!

   Welcome to Wales!

   Usage

   Classic phrase welcoming visitors to Wales — seen on road signs at the border

   Grammar Note

   "Cymru" (Wales) softens to "Gymru" after "i" — this phrase greets every visitor at the Welsh border

8. Da iawn, diolch.

   Dah yown, dee-olch.

   Very well, thank you.

   Usage

   Standard reply when someone asks how you are in Welsh

   Grammar Note

   "da" (good) + "iawn" (very) = a simple, natural response to greetings in Welsh

9. Nos da.

   Nohs dah.

   Good night.

   Usage

   Evening farewell or bedtime greeting in Welsh

   Grammar Note

   In Welsh, adjectives follow nouns — "nos da" is literally "night good" meaning "good night"

10. Mae hi'n braf heddiw.

    My heen braav heth-yoo.

    It's a nice day today.

    Usage

    Small talk about the weather — a common conversation opener in Wales

    Grammar Note

    Welsh uses "hi" (she) as a dummy subject for weather expressions — "braf" means fine or pleasant

11. Ble mae'r toiled?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Essential phrase for finding a toilet in any public place

    Grammar Note

    "mae'r" is a contraction of "mae" (is) + "yr/r" (the article). Welsh word order is VSO

12. Dw i ddim yn gallu siarad Cymraeg

    I can't speak Welsh

    Usage

    Used to let someone know you don't speak Welsh

    Grammar Note

    Welsh negation uses "ddim". "yn gallu" expresses ability; "ddim yn gallu" = cannot

13. Fe ddof i'n ôl eto.

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop or restaurant

14. Ces i amser gwych.

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said as you part ways

15. Diolch, wela i di!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell

16. Croeso

    Kroy-so

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Also used as a reply to "Diolch" (thank you). The same word as "welcome" — its meaning shifts with context

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