Language

Cardiff

Welsh (Cymraeg) is a much older language than English, closely related to ancient Celtic languages such as Cornish and Breton. Although nearly everyone in Wales speaks English, Welsh is being actively promoted. Children are taught Welsh in school and the Welsh Language Act (1993) legislates that Welsh and English have equal standing in the public sector in Wales. Both languages will be used in the new National Assembly. Many street and shop signs in Cardiff (Caerdydd) are bilingual, cash point machines offer a choice between English and Welsh, and many organisations answer the phone in Welsh, then English. Foreign visitors (including those from other parts of the UK) are not expected to speak Welsh but attempts to pronounce the 'll', 'ch' and 'rh' are well received. Information is provided by Link Line to Welsh (tel: (0845) 607 6070), and the Welsh Language Board (tel: (029) 2022 4577; fax: (029) 2022 7577; e-mail: ymholiadua@bwrdd-yr-Iaith.org.uk; web site: www.netwales.co.uk/byig/).

Phrases

Yes – Ie or ydw
No – Na
Hello – Helo
Goodbye – Hwyl or da bo chi
Please – Os gwelwch yn dda
Thank you – Diolch
Cheers! – Iechyd Da
My name is … – Fy enw i yw …
How are you? – Sut ydych chi (formal) / Sut mae (informal)
I'm very well – Dw i'n dda iawn
I feel ill – Dw i'n teimlo'n sâl
How much does it cost? – Faint ydi hwn?
Do you speak English? – A ydych chi'n siarad Saesneg?
I don't speak Welsh – Dydw i ddim yn siarad Cymraeg
I don't understand – Dwi ddim yn deall
Where is …? – Ble mae …?
Entrance – Mynedfa
Exit – Allanfa
Danger – Perygl
Open – Ar Agor
Closed – Ar gau
Toilets – Toiledau
Doctor – Meddyg
Hotel – Gwesty
Restaurant – Bwyty
Beer – Cwrw
Wine – Gwin
Menu – Bwydlen
Today – Heddiw
Tomorrow – Yfory
Monday – Dydd Llun
Tuesday – Dydd Mawrth
Wednesday – Dydd Mercher
Thursday – Dydd Iau
Friday – Dydd Gwener
Saturday – Dydd Sadwrn
Sunday – Dydd Sul
One – Un
Two – Dau
Three – Tri
Four – Pedwar
Five – Pump
Six – Chwech
Seven – Saith
Eight – Wyth
Nine – Naw
Ten – Deg
Twenty – Dauddeg / Ugain
Thirty – Trideg
Forty – Pedwardeg
Fifty – Pumdeg
Sixty – Chwedeg
Seventy – Saithdeg
Eighty – Wythdeg
Ninety – Nawdeg
One Hundred – Cant
One Thousand – Mil