Juice

5th May 20215th May 2021 By Simon

Words for juice and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*sūgos = juice
Old Irish (Goídelc)	súg = juice, sap; vigour, energy, strength; essence, inner nature
Irish (Gaeilge)	sú [sˠuː] = juice; sap, vigor, energy; soup, broth sú caoireola = mutton broth sú circe = chicken broth sú crainn = (tree) sap sú na fíniúna = wine sú na heorna = whiskey (“juice of barley”) sú oráistí = orange juice sú tobac = nicotine
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sùgh [suː] = juice, sap, jus, stock, soup, broth sùgh an eòrna = barley water, whisky (poetic) sùgh an daimh = venison broth sùgh circe = chicken stock sùgh fheanntagan = nettle soup sùgh feòla = gravy sùgh glasraich = vegetable stock sùgh-measa = fruit juice sùgh meirbheach = gastic juices sùigh-pheuran = perry (pear wine) sùgh-ubhail = apple juice
Manx (Gaelg)	soo = sap, juice soolagh = juicy, pithy; sauce, juice soo foalley = meat essence, beef extract, gravy soo-mess = fruit juice soo ny braghey = malt whisky soo ny hoarn = ale soo-ny-hooyl = cider soo y ghailley = bile
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	svg / suc / sug = juice. sap
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sug = juice, sap, bodily fluid, liquid, moisture, gray sudd [sɨːð/siːð] = juice, sap, bodily fluid, liquid, moisture, sauce, gray, ketchup, syrup sudd afal = apple juice sudd ffrwyth(au) = fruit juice sudd oren = orange juice sudd y cylla / sudd cyllaol = gastric juices sudd yr heli = stock expression for something worthless sudd treulio / suddau traul = digestive juices
Cornish (Kernewek)	sugen = juice, sap, essence sugen aval = apple juice sugen frooth = fruit juice sugen kig = gravy sugen owraval = orange juice
Breton (Brezhoneg)	chug = juice chug-frouezh = fruit juice soubenn = soup soubenneg, soubennouer = (soup) tureen soubenn al laezh = quick-tempered (person) soubenn al lard = bacon soup soubenn an ognon = onion soup soubenn ar c’haol = cabbage soup

Etymology: from the from Proto-Indo-European *sug-/*suk-. The Latin word sūcus (juice, sap, moisture, strength, vitality) comes from the same root, as do related words in Romance languages, such as suc (juice) in French, sugo (tomato juice, sauce) and succo (juice, gist, pith, essence) in Italian, and jugo (juice, substance) in Spanish [source].

The English word succulent (juicy, lush, luscious), comes from the same Latin root, via the French succulent (succulent, juicy), and the Latin sūculentus (sappy, succulent) from sūcus (juice) and‎ -ulentus (full of, abounding in) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis

Cheese

7th April 20218th April 2021 By Simon

Words for cheese and related words in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cáise = cheese
Irish (Gaeilge)	cáis [kɑːʃ / kæːʃ] = cheese cáiseoir = cheese-maker, cheese-monger cáisiúil = cheesy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	càise [kaːʃə] = cheese càisean, cùl-càise = cheese rind brèid-càise, anart-càise = cheesecloth
Manx (Gaelg)	caashey = cheese, cheesy caasheydagh = cheesy
Proto-Brythonic	*kọs = cheese
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	caws, caus = cheese
Welsh (Cymraeg)	caws [kau̯s] = cheese, curds, a cheese cawsa = to beg cheese, collect cheese cawsai = cheese begger, one who makes cheese cawsaidd = caseous, cheesy cawsion = curd, curds, curdlings cawslestr = cheesel, cheese vat/mould cawslïain = cheese-cloth cawsty = cheese house, dairy cosyn [ˈkɔsɨ̞n / ˈkɔsɪn] = a piece of cheese
Cornish (Kernewek)	keus [køːs] = cheese keuswask = cheese press
Breton (Brezhoneg)	keuz = cheese keuzerezh = cheese factory

Etymology: from the Latin cāseus (cheese), from the Proto-Indo-European *kwh₂et- (to ferment, become sour) [source].

Middle Breton)	fourondec, foulondec = cheese
Breton (Brezhoneg)	formaj = cheese fourmajerezh = cheese factory

Etymology: from the Latin Latin fōrmāticum (cheese), short for cāseus fōrmāticus (form cheese), from cāseus (cheese) amd fōrma (form, mold) [source]. More cheesy words in European languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Easter

2nd April 20212nd April 2021 By Simon

Words for Easter and related words in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	Cásc = Easter
Irish (Gaeilge)	Cáisc [kɑːʃc / kæːʃc] = Easter Domhnach Cásca,Cáisc Shona duit = Happy Easter ubh Chásca = Easter egg
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	A’ Chàisg [əˈxaːʃgʲ] = Easter Càisg nan Iùdhach = Passover Dihaoine na Càisge = Good Friday ugh na Càisge = Easter egg A’ Chàisg sona = Happy Easter
Manx (Gaelg)	Caisht = Easter caisht ny hewnyn = Passover Jerdein Caisht = Maunday Thursday Jeheiney Caisht = Good Friday Laa Caisht = Easter Day Caisht sonney dhyt! = Happy Easter!
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	Pasc, Passc = Easter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	Pasg = Easter, Passover Pasg yr Wyau = Easter Sunday wy’r Pasg = Easter egg Pasg hapus = Happy Easter Pasg yr Iddewon = Passover
Cornish (Kernewek)	Pask [pʰaːsk, pʰask] = Easter, Passover Pask Lowen = Happy Easter
Breton (Brezhoneg)	Pask = Easter, Passover Pask Seder = Happy Easter

Etymology: from the Late Latin pascha (Passover, Easter), from Ancient Greek πάσχα (páskha – Passover), from Aramaic פסחא‎ (paskha – Passover), from Hebrew פֶּסַח‎ (pesaḥ -Passover). [source].

Happy Easter in many languages

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Hillsides

26th March 20212nd November 2021 By Simon

Words for hillsides, cliffs and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*altos = height, cliff
Old Irish (Goídelc)	alt, allt = height, cliff, valley, abyss
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	als = hillock
Irish (Gaeilge)	ailt = steep-sided glen, ravine, height, cliff ailteán = small ravine alt = steep-sided ravine, hillock altach = undulating (road), wavy (hair) altán = streamlet, ravine, hillock
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	alt [al̪ˠd] = rugged/steep bank, precipice allt [aul̪ˠd] = brook, burn, stream, brook, rill, river with precipitous banks alltan = brook, little stream, streamlet
Manx (Gaelg)	alt = mountain stream, glen in mountains, high place, altitude, alto
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	alt, allt = hill(side)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	allt [aːɬt / aɬt] = hill(side), (steep) gradient or slope, steep road or path, (steep) ascent, cliff, woods, wooded slope allt (o) goed = wood, grove allt (y) môr, allt fôr = sea-cliff yr allt bren = staircase, facet (“the wooden hill”)
Old Cornish	als = cliff
Cornish (Kernewek)	als [ɒlz / ælz] = cliff
Middle Breton	a(o)ut = coast, shore, bank
Breton (Brezhoneg)	aod = coast, shore aod bili = pebble beach aod vev = foreshore

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂eltós, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂el- (to grow, nourish) [source].

English words such as altitude, adult and old come from the same PIE root, as do alt (old, ancient, elderly) in German, oud (old) in Dutch, haut (high, tall) in French and alto (high, tall, deep, loud) in Italian [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Bridges

16th March 202117th April 2024 By Simon

Words for bridges and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	drochet [ˈdroxʲed] = bridge
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	drochet, drochat, droichet = bridge, causeway drochetech, drochetóir = bridge-maker
Irish (Gaeilge)	droichead [ˈd̪ˠɾˠɛçəd̪ˠ] = bridge droichead crochta = suspension bridge droichead tógála = drawbridge droichead meáite = weigh bridge droichead veidhlín = bridge of a violin droichead sróine = bridge of the nose
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	drochaid [drɔxɪdʲ] = bridge drochaid air fleodradh = pontoon drochaid-thogalach, drochaid-thogail = drawbridge drochaid-choise = footbridge drochaid-rathaid = road bridge, viaduct drochaid-thionndain = swing bridge
Manx (Gaelg)	droghad = bridge, bridge of ship, arch, gantry droghad aae = viaduct droghad cassee = swing bridge droghad coshey = gangway, footbridge droghad croghit = suspension bridge droghad keesh = toll bridge droichead meihaghey = weigh bridge

Etymology: from Old Irish droch (wheel, circlet) and sét (path) [source].

Gaulish	ponto = bridge
Proto-Brythonic	*pont = bridge
Cumbric	*pont = bridge
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	pont = bridge
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pont, pynt = bridge, drawbridge
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pont [pɔnt] = bridge, drawbridge, viaduct, aqueduct pontio = to bridge (a gap), to transition pont godi = drawbridge pont grog = suspension bridge pont trwyn = bridge of the nose pont y glaw, pont law = rainbow pont ysgwydd = collar-bone, clavicle pontio = to bridge, span, arch pont(i)og = like a bridge, arched of the nature of a bridge pont(i)wr, pontydd = a bridge-builder pontyddiaeth = bridge-building
Old Cornish (Cernewec)	pons = bridge
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pons = bridge
Cornish (Kernewek)	pons = bridge ponsfordh = viaduct pons travalya = travelling bridge
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pont = bridge
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pont [pɔ̃nt] = bridge, top of the furrow, culvert, trigger guard pontan, pontañ = to bridge, lay flat stones (on a ditch or stream) pont-tro = swing bridge pont hent-houarn = railway bridge pont dilestrañ = bridge, deck (of ship) pont kargañ = loading deck pont-tro = swing bridge

Etymology: from Latin pōns (bridge, deck), from Proto-Indo-European *pónteh₁s (path, road), from *pent- (path). Words from the same roots include pont (bridge) in French, puente (bridge) in Spanish, път [pɤt] (road, way, path, journey, way) in Bulgarian source].

Proto-Celtic	*brīwā = bridge
Gaulish	briua = bridge
Leptonic	𐌐𐌓𐌖𐌉𐌀𐌌 (pruiam) = funerary construction (perhaps a grave)

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerw/*bʰrēw (wooden flooring, decking, bridge), which is also the root of the English words bridge and brig, and Brücke (bridge) in German [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

Heavenly Sky

19th February 202118th October 2022 By Simon

Words for sky and heaven in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*nemos = sky, heaven
Old Irish (Goídelc)	nem [n͈ʲeṽ] = heaven, sky, radiance
Irish (Gaeilge)	neamh [nʲavˠ / n̠ʲavˠ / n̠ʲaw] = heaven, sky, firmament neamhaí [n̪ʲial̪ˠ] = heavenly, celestial; droning, monotonous, apathetic
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nèamh [n̪ʲɛ̃ːv] = heaven; firmament, the skies nèamhaidh [n̪ʲɛːvɪ] = heavenly, celestial
Manx (Gaelg)	niau = heaven niauagh = heavenly, celestial niauoil = divine, heavenly
Proto-Brythonic	*neβ̃ [ˈnɛːβ̃] = heaven, sky
Old Welsh	nem = heaven
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	new, nym, nef = heaven
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nef [neːv] = heaven, paradise; God, providence; sky, firmament nef a daear = heaven and earth
Old Cornish	nef = heaven
Cornish (Kernewek)	nev = heaven
Old Breton	nem = heaven
Middle Breton	neff = heaven
Breton (Brezhoneg)	neñv [ˈnẽ(w)] = sky, heaven

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *nébʰos (cloud, mist, moisture) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	spéir [ˈsˠkamˠəl̪ˠ] = sky,
Irish (Gaeilge)	spéir [spʲeːɾʲ] = sky, air; airiness, brightness, light; sphere, circle, orbit spéirbhean = beautiful woman, fair lady (‘sky-woman’) spéirghealach = ‘sky-brightness’, starry light spéirghlan = clear-skied spéirghorm = sky-blue spéirléas = skylight
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	speur [sbiər] = the sky, firmament, heavens, heights speur-bhean = beautiful woman (usually in myths) speur glan = clear skies speur-eòlas = star-gazery speur-shiubhal = space travel bàta-speur = airship bun-speura = skyline sgoil-speur = astronomy
Manx (Gaelg)	speyr = sky, climate speyr-ghorrym = sky-blue, cerulean speyr-oaylleeaght = aerology speyr voorjeenagh =angry (sky) speyr vreck = mackerel sky corpane speyr(ey) = heavenly body
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sffêr [neːv] = sphere, ball, globe, heavely body, sphere (of the sky)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sphère, sfer = sphere, globe

Etymology from the Latin sphēra / sphaera (ball, globe, sphere), from the Ancient Greek σφαῖρα (sphaîra – ball, globe) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	aer [ˈa.er] = air, sky
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	aidhéar, aer = air, atmosphere, sky, breath, amusement, sport
Irish (Gaeilge)	aer [eːɾˠ / eːɾˠ] = air, sky, climate, gaiety, pleasure, (musical) air, tune aerach = airy, light-hearted, gay, lively, frolicsome aerfort = airport aerghiotár = air guitar aertha = light-headed, giddy, simply-minded, silly
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	adhar [a.ər] = air, sky, heaven adharag = light breeze, aerial being adharail = ethereal, airy, aerial port-adhair = airport
Manx (Gaelg)	aer [eːə] = aeronautical, air, pneumatic, atmosphere aerag = aerial, antenna aeragh = aerated, airy, atmospheric, ethereal aeroil = airy, jaunty, volatile
Proto-Brythonic	*auɨr = air
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	awyr [ˈa.uɨ̯r] = air
Welsh (Cymraeg)	awyr [ˈau̯.ɨ̞r, ˈau̯.ɪr] = air, atmosphere, sky, firmament, (the) heavens awyraidd = aerial, celestial, atmospheric, airy, well-ventilated awyrell = balloon, airship, vent, ventilation shaft, airway awyren = aeroplane, aircraft, balloon, meteor, fan awyrennu = aviation awyro = to ventilate, air, aerate maes awyr = airport
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ayr, auuit, aer = air, sky
Cornish (Kernewek)	ayr = air ayrborth = airport ayrbost = airmail ayredh = climate ayrek = aerial ayrell = ventilator ayrella = to ventilate ayrellans = ventilation ayren = aeroplane
Old Breton	aer = air, strong smell, sky, appearance
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	aer, ær, ear, éér = air, strong smell, sky, appearance
Breton (Brezhoneg)	aer [ɛʁ] = air aeraer = ventilator, aerator aerañ = to ventilate, aerate aerlu = airforce

Etymology: from the Latin āēr (air), from the Ancient Greek ᾱ̓ήρ (āḗr – mist, air, wind, space, volume), from the Proto-Hellenic *auhḗr (morning mist), from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ewsḗr, from *h₂ews- (dawn, east) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include east, Easter, aura, aurora and Australia [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	wybr, ybrev = air
Welsh (Cymraeg)	wybr [ʊɨ̯br, ʊi̯br] = sky, firmament, heaven, cloud, cataract wybraf, wybro, wybran = to wander (aimlessly), rove, look up at the sky wybraidd = pertaining to the sky or firmament, celestial, aerial. cloudy wybrwr, wybrydd = astronome, astrologer, traveller, wanderer, vagabond, rover wybryddiaeth = astronomy, astrology, meteorology
Old Cornish	huibren = sky, firmament
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ebron, ybron, ybbern = sky, firmament
Cornish (Kernewek)	ebron = sky
Old Breton	noabreen = sky, cloud
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	oabr = sky, cloud
Breton (Brezhoneg)	oabl [ˈwɑːpl] = sky, cloud

Etymology: unknown

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Cloudy Mist

14th February 202115th February 2021 By Simon

Words for clouds and mist in Celtic languages.

Words for cloud, mist and fog in Proto-Celtic:

*moudo, *neglo = cloud
*dumāko = mist
*dengwo = mist, smoke
*kewok / kiw-o- = fog

Old Irish (Goídelc)	nél [n͈ʲeːl] = cloud
Irish (Gaeilge)	néal [n̠ʲeːlˠ] = cloud; depression; fit, spasm; nap, snooze; dazed condition; swoon, trance néaladóir = cloud-watcher, weather observer; look-out man; furtive person, sneak, spy néaladóireacht = cloud-watching, weather-reading; sneaking, snooping, around, prying furtively, spying néalmhar = nebulous, nebular; clouded, gloomy; sleepy néaltach = cloudy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	neul [n̪ʲial̪ˠ] = cloud; hue, complexion; swoon, fainting fit neulach = cloudy, nebulous; obscure; ghostly, sickly neulag = small cloud; slow women, dimwit
Manx (Gaelg)	niaul = cloud neeal = cloud, nebula, swoon, nap, ashen (colour), faint
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nywl = mist, fog, haze nywlawc [nɪu̯l] = foggy, misty
Welsh (Cymraeg)	niwl [nɪu̯l] = fog, mist, vapour, haze, cloud(s), obscured eyesight niwlen = (thin) mist, patch of mist or haze, cloudy film, cloudiness, cataract niwlio = to be(come)/make misty, foggy or cloudy niwlog [ˈnɪu̯lɔɡ] = foggy, misty
Cornish (Kernewek)	niwl = fog, haze, mist niwlek = misty, hazy, vague niwlvlok = smog
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nivlenn = mist, fog

Etymology: from the Vulgar Latin *nibulus, a modification of nūbilus (cloudy), from the Proto-Germanic *nebulaz (fog, mist, darkness), from the Proto-Indo-European *nébʰos (cloud, mist, moisture) [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	scamall [ˈsˠkamˠəl̪ˠ] = cloud scamallach = cloudy, clouded scamallaigh = to cloud (over), mist, obscure
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgòth [sgɔː] = cloud (bank) sgòthach [sgɔː.əx] = cloudy

Etymology unknown

Proto-Celtic	*kiw-o- = fog
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ceó = mist, fog
Irish (Gaeilge)	ceo [kʲoː / kʲɔː] = fog, mist, haze; cloud; vapour; blog blemish ceobháísteach = heavy drizzle, Scotch mist ceobhrán = light drizzle, mist haze; thin layer ceobhránach = misty, drizzly ceoch = foggy, misty, clouded
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceò [kʲɔː] = mist, fog, smoke, vapour ceò-mara / ceò na mara = sea fog ceò-uisge = drizzle ceòban = small drizzling rain accompanied by mist ceòbhran [kʲɔːran] = drizzle, drizzling rain ceòthlach [kʲɔːl̪ˠəx] = thin mist; light drizzle
Manx (Gaelg)	kay [kʲeː] = fog, haze, cloud, top (of milk), blur (on a mirror) kyeoh [kʲoː] = fog kayeeagh / kayagh = hazy, misty, nebulous, foggy

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)kew- (to cover, hide, cloud). The English word sky comes from the same root, via the Old Norse ský (cloud), as does the Old English word sċēo (cloud), via the Proto-Germanic *skiwô/skiwją (cloud, cloud cover, haze) [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*kuml = cloud
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cwmwl = cloud
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cwmwl [ˈkʊmʊl] = fog, mist, vapour, haze, cloud(s), obscured eyesight cymylog [kəˈməlɔɡ] = cloudy, overcast; sad; obscure, lacking clearness cymylu [kəˈməlɨ / kəˈməli] = to cloud (over), become overcast; darken,; overshadow, obscure, dim
Cornish (Kernewek)	kommol = fog, haze, mist komolek = misty, hazy, vague
Breton (Brezhoneg)	koumoul [ˈku.mu] = mist, fog koumoulek = cloudly

Etymology: from the Latin *cumulus (heap, pile, surplus, summit), from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱewh₁- (to swell) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Life and Soul

6th February 202129th October 2025 By Simon

Words for soul / spirit / life in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*anaman = soul, spirit
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ainimm [ˈanʲimʲ], anim [ˈanʲim], ainim, anaim, anaimm = soul, life, living creature, animal
Irish (Gaeilge)	anam [ˈɑn̪ˠəmˠ / ˈanˠəmˠ] = soul, life, liveliness, spirt, breath
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	anam [anam] = soul, mind, spirit, life, breath
Manx (Gaelg)	annym = soul, psyche, spirit
Proto-Brythonic	*anati̯o- = soul, spirit
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eneid, eneit = soul, spirit
Welsh (Cymraeg)	enaid [haːv / haː] = soul, spirit
Cornish (Kernewek)	enev / ena = soul
Middle Breton	eneff = spring
Breton (Brezhoneg	ene = soul

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂enh₁mos (soul, spirit), or from the Latin anima (soul, spirt, life) [source].

Here are some examples of how these words are used:

Irish

anam an duine = the human soul
duine gan anam = unfeeling/lifeless person
Tá a hanam istigh ann = she is devoted to him
Dia le m’anam! = God bless my soul!
Dar m’anam! = Upon my soul!
Lán d’anam = in high spirits

Scottish Gaelic

a Dhia m’anam! = God preserve us!
m’anam = (my) goodness!
anam caillte = a lost soul
na gabh d’ anam … = don’t you dare to …
air m’anam! = upon my soul!
cha robh anam beò ann = there wasn not a living soul there

Manx

annym-charrey = spiritual adviser
corp as annym = body and soul
Dar m’annym = Upon my soul!
gyn annym = spiritless, flat (mood), inanimate, soulless
M’annym da’n jouyll! = Well, I’m damned!
Cha row annym vio ayn = there wasn not a living soul there
Shee Yee da’n annym echey = may he rest in peace

Welsh

ymroi i rywbeth gorff ac enaid = to throw oneself body/heart and soul into sth
â’m holl enaid = with my whole soul
hi oedd enaid y parti = she was the life and soul of the party
enaid hoff cytûn = soul mate
miwsig yr enaid / canu’r enaid = soul music

Cornish

daskor y enev = to give up one’s ghost

Breton

peoc’h d’e ene = may he rest in peace

Old Irish (Goídelc)	spiurt / spirut [ˈspʲirud] = spirit, incorporeal being, angel, ghost, apparition, soul, life
Irish (Gaeilge)	spiorad = spirit, spiritedness, courage
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	spiorad [sbirəd] = spirit (of mind, ghost, liqueur), mind, vigour, heart
Manx (Gaelg)	spyrryd = esprit, ghost, morale, spirit, psyche
Proto-Brythonic	*spïrïd = spirit
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	yspryt / yspryd = spirit
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysbryd [ˈəsbrɨ̞d / ˈəsbrɪd] = spirit, soul; ghost, spectre, genius, temperament, disposition, mood, emotion, feeling, liveliness, vivacity, breath
Old Cornish	spirit = spirit
Cornish (Kernewek)	sperys / spyrys = spirit
Middle Breton	speret = spirit
Breton (Brezhoneg	spered = spirit

Etymology, from the Latin spīritus (air, breath, spirit), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)peys- (to blow, breathe) [source].

Here are some examples of how these words are used:

Irish

An Spiorad Naomh = the Holy Spirit
spiorad an duine = the human spirit
spiorad na haoise = the spirit of the age
tá an spiorad ullamh = the spirit is willing

Scottish Gaelic

An Spiorad Naomh = The Holy Spirit
deagh-spiorad = good spirit
droch-spiorad = evil spirit, the Devil
spiorad-iùil = guiding spirit

Manx

drogh spyrryd = demon
gyn spyrryd = feckless, craven, boneless
Spyrryd Noo = Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost
spyrryd parteeagh = party spirit

Welsh

Ysbryd Glân, Glân Ysbryd = Holy Spirit/Ghost
gwendid ysbryd = melancholy, depression

Breton

Spered Santel = Holy Spirit/Ghost
droukspered = evil spirit, demon
spered-krouiñ = creativity
spered a gevezerez = spirit of competition

Sources: Wiktionary, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Teanglann.ie, Am Faclair Beag, An etymological dictionary of the Gaelic language, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Online Manx Dictionary, Gaelg Corpus, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Lexicon cornu-britannicum : a dictionary of the ancient Celtic language of Cornwall, Gerlyver Kernewek, Devri : Le dictionaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, TermOfis

Weeks

12th January 202121st January 2021 By Simon

Words for week and related words in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sechtmain = week
Irish (Gaeilge)	seachtain [ˈʃaxt̪ˠənʲ] = week an tseachtain seo caite = last week an tseachtain seo = this week an tseachtain seo chugainn = next week deireadh seachtaine = weekend coicís = fortnight
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seachdain [ʃɛxgɛn̪ʲ] = week an t-seachdain sa chaidh = last week an t-seachdain-sa = this week an ath-sheachdain = next week deireadh-seachdain / ceann-seachdain = weekend cola-deug = fortnight
Manx (Gaelg)	shiaghtin = week yn çhiaghtyn s’jerree, yn çhiaghtyn shoh chaie = last week yn çhiaghtin shoh = this week yn çhiaghtin er giyn, yn çhiaghtin shoh çheet = next week jerrey shiaghtin = weekend kegeesh = fortnight
Welsh (Cymraeg)	wythnos [ˈʊɨ̯θnɔs / ˈʊi̯θnɔs] = week yr wythnos diwetha(f) = last week yr wythnos hon = this week yr wythnos nesa(f) = next week penwythnos = weekend pythefnos = fortnight
Cornish (Kernewek)	seythen [ˈsəiθən] = week an seythen diwettha = last week an seythen ma = this week an seythen nessa = next week pennseythen [pɛnsəiθən] = weekend hanter-mis = fortnight
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sizhun [ˈsiː.zỹn] = week ar sizhun diwezhañ = last week ar sizhun-mañ = this week ar sizhun nesañ = next week diben-sizhun = weekend pemzektez = fortnight

Weeks in Celtic languages

Etymology (Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Manx): from the Late Latin septimāna (week), from the Latin septimus (seventh) [source]. The Cornish and Breton words are also related to seven.

Etymology (wythnos): from wyth (eight) and nos (night) – so a week in Welsh has eight nights, counting from midnight on Saturday to the following Saturday night.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

The names of the months, days and seasons in Celtic languages

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

Knees

19th December 202026th September 2024 By Simon

Here are some words for knee and related things in Celtic languages, as well as related words in other languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*glūnos = knee
Old Irish (Goídelc)	glún [ɡluːn] = knee
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	glún, glun, glūn = knee, generation, pedigree glúnmar, glunmár = big-kneed
Irish (Gaeilge)	glúin [ɡl̪ˠuːnʲ / ɡlˠuːnʲ] = knee, generation, step (in a series), node glúineach = (big-)kneed, noded, nodulous, branching, proliferous glúinfheacadh = genuflection glúiníneach = swelling in knees glúinteas = housemaid’s knee bean ghlúine = midwife
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	glùin [ɡl̪ˠuːn̪ʲ] = knee, generation, lap glùn [gl̪ˠuːn] = knee, generation glùineach [ɡl̪ˠuːn̪ʲəx] = pertaining to knees, kneed, jointed; large-kneed woman glùineachan [ɡl̪ˠuːn̪ʲəxan] = garter glùineag [ɡl̪ˠuːn̪ʲag] = (act of) kneeing bean-ghlùine = midwife
Manx (Gaelg)	glioon [ɡlʲuːnʲ] = joint, knee crooked timber glioon-lhoobey = genuflect, genuflection glioonagh = jointed, kneed gliooney = to kneel, kneeling glioon(i)t = kneed, kneeled
Proto-Brythonic	*glin = knee
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	glin = knee pen y lin, penn glin = knee
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glin [ɡliːn] = knee pen (g)lin [pɛnˈ(ɡ)liːn] = knee glingam = knock-kneed, bow-legged gliniadur = laptop (computer) glinio = to kneel, knee, pod gliniog = kneed, jointed, knotty
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	glin = knee penglin, penclin, pedn glin = knee
Cornish (Kernewek)	glin [ˈɡliːn] = knee penn glin / pedn glin = kneecap
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glin = knee
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glin [ɡlĩːn] = knee penn-glin = knee (penn)glinañ = to kneel down, worship, bow one’s knee glinad = knee pain glineg = strong knees glinwisk = knee brace

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵónu (knee) [source]. Words from the same roots include genuflect (to bend the knee, grovel), knee and jeans in English; genou (knee, lap) in French; and knie (knee) in Dutch [source].

From the Proto-Celtic word *glūnos we also get the Proto-Celtic word *genwā ((river) bend), which is the root of the names Geneva, Genoa.

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Latin (lingua latīna)

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Life and Soul

Weeks

Knees