Months

8th January 20218th January 2021 By Simon

Words for month in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*mīns = month
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mi = month
Irish (Gaeilge)	mí [mʲiː] = month an mhí seo cáite = last month an mhí seo = this month an mhí seo chugainn = next month
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mìos [miəs] = month a’ mhìos sa chaidh = last month a’ mhìos seo = this month an ath-mhìos = next month
Manx (Gaelg)	mee [miː] = month yn vee shoh chaie = last month yn vee sho = this month yn vee shoh çheet = next month
Proto-Brythonic	*mis = month
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mis [miːs / miːs / miːʃ] = month, oestrus y mis diwedda(f) = last month y mis hwn = this month y mis nesa(f) = next month
Cornish (Kernewek)	mis = month
Breton (Brezhoneg)	miz = month ar miz diwezhañ = last month ar miz-mañ = this month ar miz kentañ = next month

Etymology (month): possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *mḗh₁n̥s (moon, month) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

The names of the months (and days and seasons) in Celtic languages

Months in Celtic languages

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

Time & Weather

26th December 20202nd February 2024 By Simon

Words for time and weather in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	ammen-, amo- = time
Old Irish (Goídelc)	amm = time
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	amm = time, point of time
Irish (Gaeilge)	am [aumˠ / ɑːmˠ / amˠ] = time, point of time, occasion, usual, due, proper, opportune, season, period am ar bith = at any time ó am go ham = from time to time amadóir = timepiece, timer amchlár, clár ama = time-table amchrios = time zone amscála = time scale
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àm [ãũm/amə] = time, occasion, period àm air bith = whenever àm-latha = daytime àm nam pòg = honeymoon (“time of kissing”)
Manx (Gaelg)	am = time ec yn am = in the nick of time

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *h₂etmn̥ (wandering), from *h₂et- (to go), which is also the root of words such as annual in English, an(née) (year) in French and año (year, age) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*amsterā = time, moment
Old Irish (Goídelc)	aimser [ˈamʲsʲer] = time, age, period, season
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	aimser [ˈamʲɕər] = point of time, period of time, span, spell, period, age, epoch, season. weather aimseradt = period, duration aimserdae = belonging to time, temporal
Irish (Gaeilge)	aimsir [ˈamʲʃəɾʲ / ˈæːmʲʃəɾʲ] = mind, mental state, disposition, attention, spirits, intention, accord aimseartha = temporal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aimsir [ɛmɛʃɪrʲ] = climate, weather, season, era, time, reign aimsireil [ɛmɛʃɪrʲal] = of this world, temporal
Manx (Gaelg)	emshir [ˈɛmʃər] = weather, weather conditions, tense, time
Old Welsh	amser = time
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	amser [ˈamser] = time amserav = to time, date amserawl, amseraỽl = timely
Welsh (Cymraeg)	amser [ˈamsɛr / ˈamsar] = time, occasion, date, opportunity amseraf, amseru = to time, date, occur, come to pass amseriad = date, a timing, time, tempo (in music) amserlen = timetable amserlin = timeline, schedule amsernod = noteworty, epoch, period, era, time signature amserol = timely, well-timed, topical, seasonable, opportune, suitable, temporal, transient, temporary amserolder = timeliness, seasonableness
Old Cornish	anser = time
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	amser = time
Cornish (Kernewek)	amser = (grammatical) tense amseryow = menstruation, period
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	amser, amzer = time, weather
Breton (Brezhoneg)	amzer [ˈãm.zɛr] = time, weather amzeran, amzerañ = to delay, to fix (in time) amzereg = timer amzeroni = chronology amzervezh = time, era

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂meh₁- (to mow, reap, harvest), from Proto-Celtic *amm (time) – see above [source].

Proto-Celtic	*trātu = time, hour
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tráth [traːθ] = time, hour, period (of time)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tráth [traːθ] = period of time, hour, point in time, day tráthach = timely tráthamail = timely
Irish (Gaeilge)	tráth [t̪ˠɾˠɑː / t̪ˠɾˠæː] = hour, time, occasion, day, period tráthaí = person who keeps regular hours tráthchlár = timetable tráthchuid = instalment tráthnóna = afternoon, evening (up to nightfall) tráthrialta = at regular times, regularly, punctually tráthúil = timely, opportune, apt, felicitous, witty tráthúlacht = timeliness, opportuneness, aptness, wittiness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tràth [traː] = time, meal, (grammatical) tense, when, phrase, season
Manx (Gaelg)	traa = duration, time, period, occasion, tempo
Proto-Brythonic	*trọd = course, voyage
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	traỽt, traỽd, trawt, trawd = course, way, journey, career, movement, gait, assault, attack
Welsh (Cymraeg)	trawd, trawdd = course, way, journey, career, movement, gait, assault, attack trawenaf, trawenu = to go (over/through), cross, travel
Cornish (Kernewek)	trad = trade, way

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *terh₂- (to cross over, pass through, overcome) [source]. Words from the same roots include enter, term, terminal, thorough, through and transaction in English, and tarddu (to emerge, sprout, explode) in Welsh [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kʷritus = time, movement, shape, magical transformation
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cruth [kruθ] / crud [kruð] = form, shape, manner, way
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cruth = form, shape, appearance, shapeliness cruthach = shapely, fair, beautiful cruthaid = to create, form cruthaigidir = to create, shape, form, produce cruthmar = shapely
Irish (Gaeilge)	cruth [kɾˠʊ(h)] = shape, appearance, state, condition, manner, mode cruthach = shapely cruthaigh = to create, form, prove cruthaíocht = shape, appearance, good physique cruthaitheach = creative cruthú = creation, proof, testimony cruthúil = shapely, beautiful, likely, plausible
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cruth [kruh] = form, shape, figure cruthach [kruhəx] = real, shapely, well-formed cruthachadh [kruhəxəɣ] = (act of) creating, creation, (act of) forming cruthachas [kruhəxəs] = creativity cruthachd [kruhəxg] = form, complexion, creation cruthadair [kruhədɪrʲ] = creator
Manx (Gaelg)	croo = shape, appearance, format, coinage, creation, create, coining, form, build crooaghey = shape crootagh = creative, creator crootaght = creativity
Proto-Brythonic	*prɨd = shape, form
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pryd, prid, pryt = sight, appearance prydu, prydaf = to compose poetry prydaw = beautiful, lovely prydfawr, pryduawr = very beautiful or graceful, splendid, inspired pryduerth, prytuerth = beautiful, splendid, handsome, fine, fair, seemly, decent
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pryd [prɨːd / priːd] = sight, appearance, aspect, complexion, colouring, face, shape, form, comeliness, beauty prydaf, prydu = to compose poetry, versify, write (a poem), to devise, compose prydaw = beautiful, lovely prydfawr = very beautiful or graceful, splendid, inspired prydferth = beautiful, splendid, handsome, fine, fair, seemly, decent prydferthaf, prydferthu = to make beautiful, beautify, grace, adorn, embellish, flourish

Proto-Celtic	*kʷritus = time, movement, shape, magical transformation
Proto-Brythonic	*prɨd = time
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pryt, pryd = time. occasion, period, season
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pryd [prɨːd / priːd] = time, occasion, period, season, day, meal(time), when, while prydlon = punctual, prompt, timely, seasonable; suitable, appropriate, proper prydlondeb, prydlonder, prydlonedd = punctuality, timeliness, seasonableness pryd(i)ol = timely, seasonable, punctual
Old Cornish	prit = hour, time
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	prys, prês, preys = a stated time, a while, time, season, mealtime, a meal
Cornish (Kernewek)	prys = season, time, while prysweyth = instant, occasion
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pret = moment
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pred = moment, meal predadenn = (good) meal

Etymology (of both the above words): from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷer- (to do, make, build). Words from the same roots include Britain, Brittany and karma in English, and words for cauldron in Celtic languages [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tywyd = weather
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tywydd [ˈtəu̯.ɨ̞ð / ˈtəu̯.ɪð] = weather, bad or stormy weather tywyddiant = meterology tywyddol = pertaining to the weather
Cornish (Kernewek)	tewedh = storm tewedha = to weather

Etymology: unknown

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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

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.

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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis

Nails, Claws and Talons

12th December 20202nd April 2025 By Simon

Words for nails, claws, talons and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	angʷīnā = (finger/toe) nail angʷīnākos = nailed, having nails
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ingen [ˈiŋʲɡʲen] = (finger/toe) nail ingnech = clawed, hoofed
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ingen, inga, ingu = (finger/toe) nail, hoof, claw, talon, (metal) nail ingnech = having nails, claws, talons or hooves
Irish (Gaeilge)	ionga [ˈɔŋə] = nail, claw, talon; hoof; clove (of garlic); quid (of tabacco) ionga méire finger nail ionga ordóige = thumbnail ionga coise / ionga laidhre toenail ingneach = having nails, claws or talons
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ionga [iŋgə] = (finger) nail, toenail, claw, talon, gusset iongag [iŋgag] = nail iongan [iŋgan] = (finger) nail, toenail, claw, talon iongach [iŋgəx] = nailed, pertaining to or abounding in nails, claws or talons; clawed, taloned
Manx (Gaelg)	ingin [ˈiŋən] = claw, nail, talon, hoof; clove (of garlic) ingin ordaag = thumbnail ingin choshey toenail inginagh = clawed, hoofed
Proto-Brythonic	*ėɣwin = nail
Old Welsh	eguin = nail
Middle Welsh (Kyrmraec)	ewin = nail ewinoc, ewinog = having nails or claws, having a tight grip, grasping, griping, incisive, (cloven-)hoofed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ewin [ˈɛu̯.ɪn] = nail of a finger or toe; claw or talon (of bird), claw (of carnivorous beast); division of a cloven hoof; worthless remnant; power of grip; cog of a wheel; jutting edge of rock; clove (of garlic), small piece, particle ewin bawd thumbnail ewin troed toenail ewino = to pinch, claw, clutch, scratch ewiniad = a clawing, clutching, pinching, pinch ewinog = having nails or claws, having a tight grip, grasping, griping, incisive, (cloven-)hoofed
Old Cornish	euin = fingernail euynoc = clawed, nailed, hoofed
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ewin, euin = (finger or toe) nail ewincarn = a hoof of an animal ewinoc = having nails or claws
Cornish (Kernewek)	ewin = claw, fingernail, talon, toenail ewin kennin = clove of garlic ewingarn = hoof
Old Breton	eguin = fingernail
Middle Breton	juin, iuin = fingernail
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ivin [ˈiː.vin] = (finger) nail, claw, talon ivinad = nailed, clawed, taloned ivinek = having large nails

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃n̥gʰu-, from *h₃nṓgʰs ((finger/toe) nail) [source]. Words from the same roots include nail in English, nagel (nail) in Dutch, nagas (fingernail, nail, claw, talon) in Latvian, нога (noga – leg, foot) in Russian, nehet (nail, fingernail) in Czech, nyell (tree gnarl, anklebone, knothole) in Albanian, and naula (nail) in Finnish [source].

For other words for nails and related things see: Swords and Spikes

Salmon

30th October 202030th October 2020 By Simon

Words for salmon in the Celtic languages. The species of salmon most common found around Celtic speaking lands is the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Other species of salmon are available.

There are three words for salmon in Proto-Celtic: *esoxs / *esāk, *φenk-īnjo and *φorko. Only the first one has descendents in the modern Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	esoxs / esāk = salmon
Gallaecian	*īsis = salmon
Gaulish	*esoks = salmon
Old Irish (Goídelc)	eo [eːo̯] = salmon
Irish (Gaeilge)	eo [oː / ɔː] = salmon; noble being, prince
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eò [jɔː] = salmon (archaic) eog = salmon
Proto-Brythonic	*esāx = salmon
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ehawc = salmon
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eog [ˈɛ.ɔɡ / ˈeː.ɔɡ] = salmon, sea-trout, sewin, samlet
Old Cornish	ehoc = salmon
Cornish (Kernewek)	eghek = salmon
Middle Breton	eheuc = salmon
Breton (Brezhoneg)	eog = salmon

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *peysḱ- (fish).

Old Irish (Goídelc)	bratán = salmon
Irish (Gaeilge)	bradán [bˠɾˠəˈd̪ˠaːn̪ˠ / ˈbˠɾˠad̪ˠaːnˠ / ˈbˠɾˠɑd̪ˠɑnˠ] = salmon
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	braden [bradan] = salmon
Manx (Gaelg)	braddan = salmon

Etymology: from the Old Irish brat (captivity, bondage, robbery) and án (diminutive suffix).

Welsh (Cymraeg)	samon / samwn = salmon
Cornish (Kernewek)	sowman = salmon
Breton (Brezhoneg)	somon = salmon

Etymology: from the English salmon, from the Middle English samoun, samon, saumon (salmon), from the Anglo-Norman saumon (salmon), from the Old French saumon, from the Latin salmō (salmon), either from the Proto-Celtic *esoxs / *esāk, or from the Latin saliō (to leap).

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

Fish

25th October 202014th October 2024 By Simon

Words for fish and related things in the Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸēskos = fish
Old Irish (Goídelc)	íasc = fish íascach = fish, fishing
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	íasc, iasc, īesc, éisc, escc = fish íascach, iasccach = abounding in fish íascaire, iscaire = fisherman íasmar, iascchmar = full of fish, productive in fish
Irish (Gaeilge)	iasc [iəsˠk] = fish, to fish iasc = fishing, fishery iascaire = fisherman iascaireacht = fishing, fishery iasceolaíocht = ichthyology (scientific study of fish) iasciteach = fish-eating, ichthyophagous iascúil = abounding in fish, easy to fish, good at fishing
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	iasg [iəsg] = fish, Pisces iasgach [iəsgəx] = fishing, angling, fishery iasgachadh [iəsgəxəɣ] = (act of) fishing iasgadair [iəsgədɪrʲ] = fisher(man) iasgail [iəsgal] = fishy, pertaining to fish, good for fishing iasgan [iəsgan] = small fish, mussel
Manx (Gaelg)	(y)eeast = fish eeastagh(ey) = to angle, to fish, angling, fishing eeasteyr = fisherman eeasteyraght = fishery, fishing eeasteyrys = fishing eeastoil = abounding in fish, fishy eeast-oaylleeaght = ichthyology
Proto-Brythonic	uisk = fish Uɨsk = fish, river name (originally meaning “abundant in fish”)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	Wysg [uːɨ̯sk / ʊi̯sk] = Usk (a river and town in south Wales) Caerwysg = Exeter

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pisḱ-/peysḱ- (fish) [source]. The name of the river Exe in Devon comes from the same root, as does Exmoor, where the river rises, Exmouth, where it meets the sea, and Exeter, which stands on the river. The rivers Esk (North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Dumfries and Galloway, and East Lothian) and Axe (one in Dorset, Somerset, Devon; and another in Somerset) get their names from the same root [source].

Proto-Brythonic	pɨsk [pɨsk] = fish pɨskọd [pɨˈsˑkɔːd] = fish (pl)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pisscaud, psycgaut, pesgod = fish(es), Pisces pysgodfwyd = ichthyophagous, piscivorous, fish-eating, fish-meal pysgodlyn, pyscotlyn = fish-pool, fish-pond peskod ha, pyscotta, pyscota = to fish, angle, fishing pyscodwr, pyscod-wr, pyscottwr = fisherman, fisher
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pysgod [ˈpəsɡɔd] = fish(es), Pisces pysgodaidd = fishy, piscine, piscatory, piscatorial pysgodfwyd = ichthyophagous, piscivorous, fish-eating, fish-meal pysgodig = full of fish pysgodlyn = fish-pool, fish-pond pysgota = to fish, angle, fishing industry pysgotwr = fisherman, fisher, angler, kingfisher, fishmonger
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pisc, pysc = fish piscadur, pysgadyr = fisherman pisclin = fishpond pisgetta, pysgetta = to fish
Cornish (Kernewek)	pysk [pɪːsk] / pesk = fish pyskador, peskador = fisherman pyskadores, peskadores = fisherwoman pyskessa, peskecha = to fish pysklyn, pesklyn = fishpond pyskva, peskva = aquarium
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pesq(uet) = fish
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pesk(ed) [ˈpes.k(et)] = fish pesker [ˈpeskɛʁ] = fishmonger, fisher(man) pesketa [pɛs.ˈke.ta] = to fish pesketaerezh [pɛs.ke.ˈtɛː.rɛs] = fishing, fisheries

Etymology: from the Latin piscātus, past participle of piscor (to fish), from piscis (fish), from Proto-Indo-European *péysks (fish) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include peshk (fish) in Albanian, pesce (fish) in Italian, poisson (fish) in French, fish, piscine (pertaining to fish), Pisces in English, and fisk (fish, Pisces) in Danish [source].

Interesting idioms related to fish:

Irish: Iasc as uisce i do bhéal! = Restrain your tongue! (“Fish out of water in your mouth”)
Irish: Ar iascadh libh? = Did you catch fish / succeed in your quest
Irish: Ar iascach ar dhuine = to fish information from sb
Scottish Gaelic: gaoth an iar, iasg is bainne = wind from the West, fish and milk
Welsh: pysgota mewn dŵr llwyd = to fish in troubled waters (“to fish in grey water”)

Blackbirds

11th October 202015th October 2020 By Simon

Words for blackbirds, thrushes, ouzels and starlings in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	mesal-(s)kā / meisalko = blackbird
Irish (Gaeilge)	smólach = thrush smólach ceoil = song thursh (Turdus philomelos) smólach mór = mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	smèarach [smɛːrəx] / smaolach [smɯːl̪ˠəx] / smeòrach [smjɔːrəx] = thrush, mavis smeòrach-choitcheann = song thrush smólach mór = mistle thrush
Proto-Brythonic	*miyalx- = blackbird
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mwyalchen [muɨ̯ˈalχɛn / mui̯ˈalχɛn] = blackbird mwyalchen y mynydd = ring ouzel
Cornish (Kernewek)	molgh = thrush molgh dhu = blackbird molgh loos = song thrush molgh glas = mistle thrush molgh meneth = ring ouzel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	moualc’h / moualc’h zu = blackbird moualc’h-venez = ring ouzel

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ems- (black, blackbird).

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lon [l͈on] = blackbird
Irish (Gaeilge)	lon / lon dubh = (Common / Eurasian) blackbird (Turdus merula), lon creige ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lon [l̪ˠɔn] / lòn-dubh [l̪ˠɔnˈduh] = blackbird, ouzel lon-monaidh = ring ouzel
Manx (Gaelg)	llondoo = blackbird lhonnag = (immature) blackbird lhon ny keylley = mistle thrush lhon fainnit / lhon ny greg = ring ouzel

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic	traskl / trozdi = thrush
Old Irish (Goídelc)	truit = starling
Irish (Gaeilge)	truis = thrush
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	druid [drɯdʲ] = starling, thrush
Manx (Gaelg)	treshlen = song thrush treshlen vooar = mistle thrush
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tresglen = (mistle) thrush tresglen y crawel = mistle thrush
Breton (Brezhoneg)	drask(l) = thrush drask-su = song thrush drask-rouee = mistle thrush

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *trozdo- (thrush).

Other Welsh words for blackbird include aderyn du (“black bird”), and pigfelyn (“yellow beak”).

A song thrush in Welsh is y fronfraith (“the speckled breast”), crecer, bronfraith y grug, aderyn bronfraith or bronfraith fawr.

Here’s a tune I wrote called The Blackbird’s Tail / Cynffon yr Aderyn Du:

Simon Ager · The Blackbird’s Tail / Cynffon yr Aderyn Du

Ducks

12th September 2020 By Simon

Words for ducks in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	*lachu [ˈl͈axu] = duck
Irish (Gaeilge)	lacha [ˈl̪ˠaxə] = duck lacha bhreac / lacha chriosrua / seil lacha = shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) iolar mara / coirneach / mallard = mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lach [l̪ˠax] = (wild) duck crà-ghèadh / cràighiadh / crà-eun = shelduck lach-Mhoire / lach-riabhach = mallard
Manx (Gaelg)	laagh = duck, wild goose laagh chryss-ruy = shelduck laagh voirrey / mallard = mallard

Etymology: possibly from the same Proto-Indo-European root as the Lithuanian word lak (to fly).

Irish (Gaeilge)	tonóg = duck; dumpy little woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tunnag [ˈtʰun̪ˠak] = duck tunnag-mhonaidh / tunnag-fhiadhaich = mallard
Manx (Gaelg)	thunnag = duck thunnag vreck = shelduck

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic	*awis = bird (?)
Irish (Gaeilge)	aí / ai / aoi = swan
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ai = swan
Proto-Brythonic	*(s)awyetos = duck (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hwyat / hwyeit = duck
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hwyad(en) [ˈhʊɨ̯.ad / ˈhʊi̯.ad] = (female) duck hwyaden yr eithin / hwayaden fraith = shelduck hwyaden wyllt / meilad = mallard
Old Cornish	hoet = duck
Cornish (Kernewek)	hos = duck hos eythyn = shelduck hos gwyls / mallart = mallard
Breton (Brezhoneg)	houad = duck tadorn toveel = shelduck houad-korz = mallard

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂éwis (bird) [source], which is also the root of such English words as avian, aviary, aviation and aviator, via the Latin avis (bird).

The species of ducks included here are found in Celtic-speaking lands. Other types of ducks are available.

Gulls

15th August 202015th February 2025 By Simon

Celtic words for (sea)gull, seabirds of the genus Larus or of the family Laridae.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	wailannā / voilenno- = seagull
Old Irish (Goídelc)	faílenn, foílenn = seagull
Irish (Gaeilge)	faoileán, faoileog = gull, seagull faoileán bán = common gull (Larus canus) faoileán ceanndubh, faoileán an chaipín = black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) faoileán droma duibh = greater black-backed gull (Larus marinus) foillan scadán = (Larus argentatus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	faoileann [fɯːlən̪ˠ], faoileag [fɯːlag] = gull, seagull, common gull faoileann-bheag = common gull faoileann-dubh = black-headed gull faoileann a’ chinn dhuibh = greater black-backed gull faoileann-mhór = herring gull
Manx (Gaelg)	foillan, foilleig, fooilleig = gull, seagull foillan bane = common gull foillan kione doo = black-headed gull foillan saggyrt = greater black-backed gull foillan skeddan = herring gull
Proto-Brythonic	*gwuɨlann = seagull
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwylan = seagull
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwylan [ˈɡʊɨ̯lan / ˈɡʊi̯lan] = sea-gull, sea-mew; fair maiden; glutton gwylan gyffredin = common gull gwylan goes goch / gwylan benddu = black-headed gull gwylan gefnddu = greater black-backed gull gwylan y penwaig = herring gull
Old Cornish	guilan = seagull
Cornish (Kernewek)	golan [ˈɡoːlan / ˈɡʊlɐn] = gull, seagull gwylan gemyn = common gull skraw / skrawik / scraw = black-headed gull gwylan keyn du = greater black-backed gull gwylan hern = herring gull
Old Breton	guilann = seagull
Middle Breton	goelann = seagull
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouelan [ˈɡweːlãn] = seagull gouelan loue = common gull gouelanig maskl du = black-headed gull gouelan bras = greater black-backed gull gouelan gris = herring gull

Etymology: thought to be from the Proto-Indo-European *wáy (oh! ah! woe! alas!), possibly related to *waylos (howler, wolf) [source].

The English word gull comes from the Middle English gulle (gull, water bird) and is thought to have been borrowed from a Brythonic language (Welsh or Cornish) [source].

The French word goéland (gull, herring gull) comes from the Breton gouelan [source].

Note: the types of gulls mentioned here are commonly seen in Celtic-speaking areas. Other gulls are available.

Here’s a song I wrote in Manx and English about seagulls and their love of chips: Spollagyn son tey / Chips for tea

Simon Ager · Spollagyn son tey / Chips for tea

Swallows

9th August 202023rd August 2020 By Simon

Words for swallows, swifts and martins in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*wesnālā = swallow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ainnel, fannall = swallow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	áilleóc, fainleóc = swallow
Irish (Gaeilge)	fáinleog, áinleóg = swallow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	(f)ainnleag [(f)ãĩn̪ʲl̪ʲag] = swallow, martin, storm(y) petrel
Proto-Brythonic	*gwennọl = swallow
Old Welsh	guennol = swallow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwennawl = swallow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwennol [ˈɡwɛnɔl] = swallow, martin; weaver’s shuttle
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwennol = swallow
Old Breton	guennol = swallow
Middle Breton	guennel = swallow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwennel = swallow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wós-r̥/*wés-n̥s (spring) [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	gabhlán = martin gabhlán-binne = house martin (delichon urbicum)) gabhlán gainimh = sand martin (riparia riparia) gabhlán gaoithe = swift (apus apus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gòbhlan [gɔːl̪ˠan] = swallow, martin; prong, small fork gòbhlan-gaoithe [goːl̪ˠan’gɤjə] = barn swallow (hirundo rustica) gòbhlan-gainmhich [goːl̪ˠan gɛnɛvɪç] = sand martin, bank swallow gòbhlan-dubh [goːl̪ˠan du] = (common) swift gòbhlan-mara [goːl̪ˠan marə] = storm(y) petrel (hydrobatidae)
Manx (Gaelg)	gollan = swift, martin; fork gollan geayee = swallow gollan gheinnee = sand martin gollan mooar = swift gollan thie = house martin

Etymology: from the Old Irish gabul (fork, forked branch), from the Proto-Celtic *gablā (fork, branch, gallows), from the Proto-Indo-European *gʰeh₁bʰ- (to grab, take) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here’s a tune I wrote called The Swallow / Y Wennol:

Simon Ager · The Swallow / Y Wennol

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Proto-Brythonic

Months

Time & Weather

Knees

Nails, Claws and Talons

Salmon

Fish

Blackbirds

Ducks

Gulls

Swallows