Category: Welsh (Cymraeg)

To Carry

By Simon

Words for to carry in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *bereti = to carry
Old Irish (Gaídelc) beirid [ˈbʲerʲiðʲ] = to carry, bear, bring forth
Irish (Gaeilge) beir [bʲɛɾʲ] = to bear, give birth to; lay (eggs); bear away, win; bring, take; catch, overtake; proceed, advance
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) beir [berʲ] = to take hold; bring forth, bear, produce; carry
Manx (Gaelg) behr = to bear (give birth to)
Proto-Brythonic bėrɨd [be̝ˈrɨːd] = to flow, carry
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) beru = to flow
Welsh (Cymraeg) beru = to flow, drip; drizzle
Middle Breton beraff = to flow
Breton (Brezhoneg) berañ = to drip, flow

Scottish Highland Games 2010

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti (to be carrying) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Dictionnaire Favereau

To Jump

By Simon

Words for to jump in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *lanxsmen = to jump
Old Irish (Gaídelc) léimm [l͈ʲeːmʲ] = to jump, leap
Irish (Gaeilge) léim [l̠ʲeːmʲ] = to jump, leap, bound, start, fly up
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) leum [l͈ʲeːm] = to jump, leap, bound, spring, hop, skip
Manx (Gaelg) lheim = to jump, leap, spring, hop, buck, vault, limp, start, pounce, bound, bounce
Welsh (Cymraeg) llamu [ɬamɨ / ɬamɪ] = to jump, leap, bound, spring, stride, skip, hop, dance; well up (with tears); throb, shoot, beat, flutter; jump over
Cornish (Kernewek) lamma [‘lam:a] = to jump, hop, leap
Breton (Brezhoneg) lammat = to leap, jump, rush, beat

Untitled

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *legʷh- (light [weight]) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

To Run

By Simon

Words for to run in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *reteti = to run
Old Irish (Gaídelc) reithid = to run, to speed
Irish (Gaeilge) rith [ɾˠɪ(h)] = to run, hurry, flow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ruith [r̪ˠih] = to run, race, rush, melt, flow
Manx (Gaelg) roie = to run, race, scurry, bolt, dart, burst, flow, smuggle
Proto-Brythonic *rėdɨd = to run
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) redec [ˈr̥edeɡ] = to run
Welsh (Cymraeg) rhedeg [ˈr̥ɛdɛɡ] = to run, gallop, canter, race, rush; run away, flee; glide, stretch
Middle Cornish resek = to run
Cornish (Kernewek) resek [‘rɛzɛk / ‘rɛzɐk] = to run, race
Old Breton redec = to run
Breton (Brezhoneg) redek = to run, flow, open up

Welsh Athletics Championships / Commonwealth Games Trials

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *Hret- (to run, roll) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

To Walk

By Simon

Words for to walk in Celtic languages.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) siblaid = to travel, traverse, proceed, move, walk; to flow; to go over, examine
Irish (Gaeilge) siúil [ʃuːlʲ] = to walk, be able to walk; come or go on foot; move about for exercise or pleasure; step on, into; tread, travel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) siubhail [ʃu.al] = to travel, commute; walk, move, stroll; go, depart; die
Manx (Gaelg) shooill = to walk, traverse, gait, pace, tread, promenade, perambulate

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic *kerdeti = to walk
Old Irish (Gaídelc) foceird = to put, place, set; to throw, cast
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) kerddet [ˈkɛrðɛd] = to walk
Welsh (Cymraeg) cerdded [ˈkɛrðɛd] = to walk, journey, travel, approach, traverse, march, go, move
Cornish (Kernewek) kerdhes [‘kɛrðɛs / ‘kɛr(ð)ɐz] = to walk, get along
Breton (Brezhoneg) kerzhet = to walk

Leads (and skates) on

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kerd- (to swing) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur yr Academi, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Snow

By Simon

Words for snow in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *snigʷ = snow
*snigʷyeti = to snow
Old Irish (Goídelc) snechtae [ˈsʲn͈ʲexta] = snow
Irish (Gaeilge) sneachta [ˈʃnʲaxt̪ˠə / ˈʃnʲæːxt̪ˠə] = snow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) sneachd [ʃn̪ʲɛxg] = snow
Manx (Gaelg) sniaghtey [ˈʃnʲaxt̪ə] = snow
Welsh (Cymraeg) nyf = snow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *snígʷʰs (snow) [source].

Eira

Old Irish (Goídelc) arg = drop (of water)
Proto-Brythonic *ėrɣ = snow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) eiry = snow
Welsh (Cymraeg) snow [ˈei̯ra] = snow
Old Cornish irch = snow
Cornish (Kernewek) ergh = snow
Middle Breton erch = snow
Breton (Brezhoneg) erc’h = snow

Etymology possibly from the Proto Celtic *argyos (white), from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂r̥ǵ-yó-s, from *h₂erǵ- (white). Or from the Proto Celtic *ɸarg(y)os (sprinkling, spatter) from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)pregʰ- (to scatter, jerk). [source].

The English word freckle comes from the same root, via the Old Norse freknur (speckles) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here are a few snow-related songs:

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek

Ivy

By Simon

Words for ivy (Hedera) and related words in Celtic languages.

Ivy / Eiddew

Proto-Celtic *ɸedennos = ivy
Old Irish (Goídelc) eiden(n) = ivy
Irish (Gaeilge) eidheann [eːn̪ˠ] = ivy
eidhneán = ivy, ivy branch
eidhneán nimhe = poison ivy
eidhneán talún = ground ivy
eidhneánach, eidhneach = ivied, ivy-clad
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) eidheann [ˈe.ən̪ˠ] = ivy
eidheann na creige, eidheann-choitcheann = (common/Eurpean) ivy (Hedera helix)
eidheann-thalmhainn = ground ivy
eidheann mu chrann = ivy, honeysuckle
eidheann-duilleagach = ivy-leaved
Manx (Gaelg) hibbin = ivy
thammag hibbin = ivy bush
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) eido = ivy
Welsh (Cymraeg) eiddew, eiddo [ˈei̯ðɛu̯] = ivy
eiddew’r ddaear = ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea)
grawn (yr) eiddew = ivy-berries
llwyn eiddew = ivy bush
tân (e)iddew = erysipelas, Saint Anthony’s fire, shingles, herpes
Cornish (Kernewek) idhyow [ˈɪðjɔʊ/ˈɪðjɔ] = ivy
idhyow dor = ground ivy
Breton (Brezhoneg) iliav = ivy
iliav-red = (common/Eurpean) ivy

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *ped-n̥-no-s, from *ped- (to bind, tie, restrain) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Blubrry podcast hosting

Holly

By Simon

Words for holly in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *kolinnos = holly
Old Irish (Goídelc) cuilenn [ˈkulʲen͈] = (wood of the) holly tree
Irish (Gaeilge) cuileann = holly
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cuileann [kulən͈ˠ] = holly
Manx (Gaelg) cullyn = holly
Welsh (Cymraeg) celynnen [ˈkɛlɨ̞n / ˈkeːlɪn] = holly
Cornish (Kernewek) kelynnen = holly
Breton (Brezhoneg) kelenenn = holly

Bright Berries, Maybe Holly?

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱol- (thorn, thorny plant). [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Trees, Wood(s) & Forests

By Simon

Words for trees, wood(s) & forests in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *kʷresnom = tree, wood
Gaulish prenne = big tree
Old Irish (Goídelc) crann = tree
Irish (Gaeilge) crann [kɾˠaun̪ˠ / kɾˠan̪ˠ] = tree; mast, boom, pole; stock, handle; shaft, beam; stick
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) crann [kraun̪ˠ] = mast; plough; beam; lot (in drawing lots); tree (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg) croan = boom, mast, flag pole
Proto-Brythonic prenn [ˈprenː] = wood, tree
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) prenn = wood, tree
Welsh (Cymraeg) pren [prɛn] = tree, bush, shrub; timber, wood, wooden; piece of wood, wooden stick; cross, gallows, gibbet
Old Cornish pren = wood
Cornish (Kernewek) prenn [prɛn:] = bar, beam, log, timber, lot (gambling)
Old Breton pren = wood
Breton (Brezhoneg) prenn = wood, piece of wood, antler

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kʷres (bush, thicket) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Old Irish (Goídelc) cráeb / cróeb = tree
Irish (Gaeilge) craobh = branch, bough; tree
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) craobh [krɯːv] = tree, bush
Manx (Gaelg) crouw = stock, bush, dwarf tree, stick, bunch, wide spreading tree, tributary of river

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic *belyom = tree
Old Irish (Goídelc) bile [ˈbʲilʲe] = tree, especially a large, ancient, sacred one
Irish (Gaeilge) bile [ˈbʲɪlʲə] = (large, sacred) tree; scion; distinguished person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bile [kraun̪ˠ] = mast; plough; beam; lot (in drawing lots); tree (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg) billey = tree, big bush
Welsh (Cymraeg) pill [bɪɬ] = (tree) trunk, stock, log, branch, pole, stake, post; fortress, castle, stronghold, refuge, sanctuary, safety, strength, force; snatch of song, verse
Breton (Brezhoneg) bil = trunk

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰolyo- (leaf) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic *widus = wood, trees
Old Irish (Goídelc) fid = tree
Irish (Gaeilge) fiodh = tree, wood, timber
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) fiodh [fjɤɣ] = wood, timber, wooden, made of wood
Manx (Gaelg) fuygh = timber, wood
Proto-Brythonic *gwɨð [ˈɡwɨːð] = wood, trees
Old Welsh guid = tree
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gwydd = tree
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwŷdd [ɡwɨːð / ɡwiːð] = tree(s), branches, twigs; forest, woods, shrub(s); lineage, genealogical tree, stock; stem
Cornish (Kernewek) gwydh [gwɪ:ð] = trees
gwedhen = tree
Old Breton guid = trees
Middle Breton guez = trees
Breton (Brezhoneg) gwez [ɡwe] = trees
gwezenn = tree

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *widʰu- (tree, beam) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Proto-Celtic *kaitos = wood, forest
Proto-Brythonic *koɨd [ˈkoɨ̯d] = wood, forest
Old Welsh coit = wood, forest
Welsh (Cymraeg) coed [koːɨ̯d / kɔi̯d] = forest, wood, trees; shrubs; timber, pieces of wood
coeden [koːɨ̯d / kɔi̯d] = tree
Old Cornish cuit = wood, forest
Middle Cornish coys = wood, forest
Cornish (Kernewek) koos [ko:z / ku:z] = forest
Middle Breton coat = wood, forest
Breton (Brezhoneg) koad [ˈkwɑːt] = wood, forest

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *widʰu- (tree, beam) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

The usual words for tree in the modern Celtic languages are: crann (Irish), craobh (Scottish Gaelic), billey (Manx), coeden (Welsh), gwedhen (Cornish), gwezenn (Breton).

Christmas

By Simon

Words for Christmas in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc) Notlaic = Christmas
Irish (Gaeilge) Nollaig [ˈn̪ˠɔl̪ˠəɟ / ˈn̪ˠɔl̪ˠəc / ˈn̪ˠʌl̪ˠəc] = Christmas
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) Nollaig [n̪ˠɔl̪ɪgʲ] = Christmas
Manx (Gaelg) Nollick [ˈnɔlik] = Christmas
Old Welsh Natolic = Christmas
Welsh (Cymraeg) Nadolig = Christmas, birthday
Cornish (Kernewek) Nadelik [na’dɛlɪk / nə’dɛlɐk] = Christmas
Old Breton Notolic = Christmas
Breton (Brezhoneg) Nedeleg = Christmas

Etymology: from Latin nātālīcius (birth, birthday). [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Tasteful

By Simon

Words for taste in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *mlastā / *mlasto = taste
Old Irish (Goídelc) mlas [mlas] = flavour, savour, taste
blasid = to taste
Irish (Gaeilge) blas [bˠl̪ˠɑsˠ / bˠlˠasˠ] = taste, flavour, accent
blais [bˠlˠaʃ] = to taste
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) blas [bl̪as] = flavour, savour, taste; body (of wine); accent; gusto, relish
blais [bl̪ˠaʃ] = to taste, try by the mouth; sip; relish
Manx (Gaelg) blass = accent, flavour, overtone, spiciness, taste, tinge, tang
blas(s)tyn = to taste, relish, savour
Welsh (Cymraeg) blas [blas] = taste, sense of taste, flavour, relish, savour, appetite; liking, enjoyment, pleasure; taste; flavourings, seasonings; spices, odoriferous herbs
blasu = to taste, have a flavour; flavour, season; experience; have a liking (for), savour, enjoy, relish, appreciate
Cornish (Kernewek) blas = smell, stench, flavour, taste
blasa [‘blaza / ‘blæzɐ] = to smell, taste
Breton (Brezhoneg) blaz = taste, flavour, smell
blasa = to taste, sniff (at), scent

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *mel-s- [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau