Seaweed

8th October 20268th October 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking into words meaning dulse, seaweed and related things in Celtic languages.

Dulse (Palmaria palmata) is a reddish-brown type of seaweed which is sometimes eaten in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and other places. The English word dulse was borrowed from Irish and/or Scottish Gaelic. It is also written dilisk, dillisk, dilsk or dulce.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	doliskos = dulse, dilisk (edible seaweed of the species Palmaria palmata*
Old Irish (Goídelc)	duilesc = dulse
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	duilesc, duilleasg, duileasg [ˈd̪ulʲəsk] = dulse, seaweed with skinny horns, sea-grass
Irish (Gaeilge)	duileasc = dulse duileascar = rock moss
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	duileasg [duləsg] = (red) dulse, sea lettuce flakes duileasg na h-aibhne = pondweed
Manx (Gaelg)	dullish = dulse dullish awin = pondweed
Proto-Brythonic	*dölɨsk = dulse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dilysc, delysc, dylysc = dulse, edible seaweed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	delysg, dylysg, dylusg [ˈdɛlˠɨ̞sk / ˈdeːlɪsk] = dulse, edible seaweed, palmated seaweed; stuff which is cast up by the sea, offscouring, filth, sweepings delysg y môr = edible seaweed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tellesk = dulse telleskek = where dulse is abundant

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *dol- (leaves), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰelh₁- (to well forth, to spring forth, to flourish, to green) [source]. Words from the same roots include dal (to exist, go out, leave) in Albanian, դեղ (deġ – drug, medicine, poison) in Armenian, მდელო (mdelo – meadow) in Georgian, foglio (sheet) in Italian, full (sheet of paper) in Catalan, dail (leaves, sheets [of paper]) in Welsh, and dulse, foil, folio, and possibly dill in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wimmonā = seaweed
Old Irish (Goídelc)	femmuin = seaweed
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fem(m)ain, femman, femmuin = seaweed femnach = seaweed, edible water-weed femnachda = resembling seaweed
Irish (Gaeilge)	feamainn [ˈfʲamˠən̠ʲ] = seaweed, wrack, eelgrass, seawrack (Zostera marina) feamainneach = clustered (as seaweed), tressed, ringleted (of hair) feamnaigh = to cover with seaweed talamh a fheamnú = to spread seaweed onland, to fertilize land with seaweed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	feamainn [fɛmɪn̪ʲ] = seaweed, sea algae, seaweed used as fertiliser, marsh plant(s); fertilse with seaweed, harvest seaweed feamainneach [fɛmɪn̪ʲəx] = like or pertaining to seaweed, fucoid, alginic
Manx (Gaelg)	famlagh = seaweed, kelp, wrack fammyragh = seaweed, wrack
Proto-Brythonic	*gwɨmon = seaweed
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guimon, gwimon, gwymon, gwmon = seaweed, laver, dulse
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwymon, gw(i)mon [ˈɡwɨ̞mɔn / ˈɡʊi̯mɔn] = seaweed, laver, dulse, freshwater alga, mean worthless thing gwymona = to gather seaweed (for use as manure) gw(y)monog, gwmanog = abounding in seaweed, covered with seaweed, seaweedy
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	gumman = seaweed
Cornish (Kernewek)	gomonen = seaweed, kelp gomonna, gomodna = to gather seaweed
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	goumon, gueimmonou = seaweed
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	goaymon, goumon = seaweed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouemon, go(u)mon [ˈɡumːɔ̃n] = seaweed, kelp gouemona = to search for / gather seaweed gouemonaer = seaweed harvester

Etymology: uncertain, possibly from PIE *weyb- (to wind around). The words gamó (asphodel, mullein) in Catalan, gamón (asphodel) in Galician gamão (backgammon) in Portuguese might also come from the same Proto-Celtic roots [source]. The French word goémon (wrack [seaweed], kelp) was borrowed from Middle Breton gwemon [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	fithrech = dulse, edible seaweed
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fithrech, fithreoch = dulse, edible seaweed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fithreach = dulse, edible seaweed

Etymology: ?

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 Kernehe, itk, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Barley

3rd October 20263rd October 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking into words meaning barley and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*yewos = barley, spelt
Old Irish (Goídelc)	eórna = barley
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	eórna, eorna = barley
Irish (Gaeilge)	eorna [ˈoːɾˠn̪ˠə / ˈɔːɾˠn̪ˠə] = barley (Hordeum vulgare) eornóg = (stick of) barley sugar
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eòrna [jɔːr̪n̪ˠə] = barley Tir an Eòrna = Tiree, Uist eòrnaach [jɔːr̪n̪ˠəx] = barley-land, pertaining to or abounding in barley eòrnachan [jɔːr̪n̪ˠəxan] = knocking/beating stone (type of mortar, esp. for unhusking grain or malting barley) eòrnan [jɔːr̪n̪ˠan] = small barley (hordeum distichon)
Manx (Gaelg)	oarn = barley
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	yell = spelt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yell = spelt yell-munut = emmer wheat, einkorn, Tartary buckwheat

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *yéwos (cereal, grain, barley, spelt), from *yew(h₁-) (to ripen, mature). Words from the same roots include jãvas (grain, cereal) in Lithuanian, جو (jaw – barley, grain) in Persian, जौ (hau – barley) in Hindi, овин (ovin – barn) in Russian, and jyvä (grain, kernel corn) in Finnish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sasyos = rye
Celtiberian	*sas(s)ia = (?)
Gaulish	*(s)asyom = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	heyd, heyt, heid(d), haid = barley
Welsh (Cymraeg)	haidd [hai̯ð] = barley
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	haiz = barley
Cornish (Kernewek)	heydhen = barley heydhenlan = barley land heydhek = barley field
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	heiz, heizen(n) = barley
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	heiz = barley
Breton (Brezhoneg)	heiz = barley heizeg = barley field heizek = abundant in barley heizenn = grain of barley

Etymology: from PIE *sh₁-s-yo-s, from *seh₁- (to sow, to plant). The Catalan word xeixa (common wheat) comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Celtiberian [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include sēt (to sow) in Lithuanian, сеять (sejat’ – to sow, lose, squander, spread) in Russian, and disseminate, earn, season, seed, seminar and sow in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	ɸitu = corn, grain ɸitulandā = threshing floor, stackyard, granary
Gaulish	*itu = corn, grain (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ith = corn, grain, seed itlann = a threshing floor, barn, granary, storehouse
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ith = corn, grain, seed ithlann, ithla, ithlu = a threshing floor, barn, granary, storehouse; a garden
Irish (Gaeilge)	ioth = corn, grain (literary) iothlainn = haggard, rickyard
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ioth [ih] = corn, grain iothlann [jul̪ˠən̪ˠ] = yard, farmyard, enclosure
Manx (Gaelg)	uhllin = farmyard, rickyard, stackyard, cornyard, haggard
Proto-Brythonic	ɨd = grain (?) ɨdlann = rickyard, stackyard, barnyard, granary (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	itlann = rickyard, stackyard, barnyard, granary
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	yt, id, yd = corn, grain, cereal ytlan, ydlan = rickyard, stackyard, barnyard, granary
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ŷd [ɨːd / iːd] = corn, grain, cereal ydlan = rickyard, stackyard, barnyard, granary yta = to harvest corn, to beg corn
Old Cornish	yd, ŷd = corn
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	ŷs, ys = corn
Cornish (Kernewek)	ys [ɪs] = corn, barley, cereals, wheat
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	esat = wheat (?)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	et, eth, yt, yth = wheat, cereal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ed [ˈeːt] = wheat, corn, grain, cereal edeg = field of wheat or cereals edek = planted with wheat edenn = wheat grain eder = cereal grower, grain farmer ederezh = cereal farming

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *péy-tu-s / *pi-téw-s, from (to swell [with milk], to be swollen, fat) [source]. Words from the same roots may include piẽtūs (lunch, dinner, noon) in Lithuanian, píce (fodder) in Czech [source].

Suction

26th September 202626th September 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking into words meaning to suck, to absorb and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*dinīti = to suck
Old Irish (Goídelc)	denaid, dinid [ˈd̠ʲe.nəðʲ] = to suck
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	denaid, dinid, denand, denait = to suck
Irish (Gaeilge)	diúl [dʲuːlˠ] = sucking, suck diúl = to suck diúlaí = sucker diúlcach = suckling, baby diúlfaíoch = alimentary canal, throat diúlfhiacail = milk-tooth leanbh (an) diúl = suckling
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	deoghail [dʲo.al] = suck, suckle deòlagan [dʲɔːl̪ˠagan̪ˠ] = sucker, sth or sb who sucks
Manx (Gaelg)	jiole = to suck, nurse, nourish, draw; sucking jioleyder = sucker, sponger, swab, mop
Proto-Brythonic	*denad = to suck (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dener, dennv, denu, devnv = to allure, attract, entice, cajole, inveigle, beguile, decoy denawl = attractive, alluring denwr = enticer, seducer, inveigler, persuader
Welsh (Cymraeg)	denaf, denu [ˈdɛnɨ / ˈdeːni] = to allure, attract, entice, cajole, inveigle, beguile, decoy dengar = alluring, attractive, enticing, winning, charming dengarwch = allurement, winsomeness, enticement, attractiveness deniad = allurement, enticement, attraction, lure, bait, temptation deniadol = attractive, alluring, enticing, engaging, winning denol = attractive, alluring denwr = enticer, seducer, inveigler, persuader
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	dena, dené, deny = to suck, to draw, to absorb, to withdraw
Cornish (Kernewek)	dena [ˈdɛna / ˈdɛnɐ] = to absorb, to suck denus = absorbing omdhenans = absorbtion
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	denaff = to suckle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dena = to suck denañ [ˈdẽː.nã] = to suckle dener = sucker, teat cup

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁(y)- (to suckle, to nurse) [source]. Words from the same roots include dia (to suckle) in Swedish, doić (to milk, gulp down) in Polish, femmina (female) in Italian, femme (woman, wife) in French, and female and feminine in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sowkno- = to suck
Old Irish (Goídelc)	súigid = to absorb, suck
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	súigid, súgad = to suck, to draw in, to absorb, to attract, act of sucking, absorbing, attracting
Irish (Gaeilge)	sú = absorption, suction súigh = to absorb, suck
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sùigh [suːj] = suck, absorb, lap sùg [suːg] = suck, imbibe
Manx (Gaelg)	soo (stiagh) = to suck (in), to soak (up), to imbibe, to sip; sucking, suction; sap, juice sooder = sucker, soaker, sipper, absorber, tippler, exhaust soolagh = juice, sauce, juicy
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	sugyn, sugn, svgn = suction, suck, a suckling; juice, sap, liquid, moisture svgney, sugyn, sugnav, sugn = to suck, drink, suckle sugndraeth, sugyndraeth, svgvndraeth = quicksand
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sugn = suction, suck, a suckling, pull, attraction, undertow; juice, sap, liquid, moisture sugnaf, sugno [ˈsɨ̞ɡnɔ / ˈsɪɡnɔ] = to suck, drink, suckle, absorb, draw (out), engulf, attract sugndraeth = quicksand sugnog = sucking amsugno [amˈsɨ̞ɡnɔ / amˈsɪɡnɔ] = to absorb
Cornish (Kernewek)	sugna = to suck sugnans = suction sugnek = succulent, juicy sugnell = juicer sugnus = succulent
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	sunaff = to suck
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sunañ [ˈsỹː.nã] = to suck, to drink, to aspire, to hoover, to deceive sunek = juicy sunell = lollipop, dummy, pacifier suner = nozzle, sucker sunerezh = suction, vacuum cleaner

Etymology: from PIE *sewg- / *sewk- (to suck) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include suck and soak in English, zuigen (to suck, vacuum, suckle, pester) in Dutch, saugen (to suck, download) in German, and sucer (to suck) in French [source].

He, She, It

11th September 202611th September 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for he, she, it and related pronouns in Celtic languages.

He, She, It

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	es, ēs = he, she, it ed = it esyo his, its
Gaulish	eiasom = he (?) eiabo = he (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	é, hé, hǽ, sé [ˈeː] = he, it a, aí = his ed, hed [ˈ(h)eð] = it, this
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sé, se, sē = he, it issi, isí = she, her (emphatic) a, aí, áe = his, its ed = it
Irish (Gaeilge)	sé, é [ʃeː / ʃɛ / eː] = he, him, it eisean[ˈɛʃənˠ] = he, him (emphatic) é féin = himself a [ə] = his, its ea [a] = it
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	e [ɛ] = he, him, it esan [ɛsən] = he, him (emphatic) e fhèin = himself a [ə] = his, its eadh [a] = it
Manx (Gaelg)	eh = he, him, it eshyn = he, him, himself (emphatic) e hene, eh hene = himself, itself e = his, its
Proto-Brythonic	eβ̃ = he, it emen = he (emphatic) *eið = his, its
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	em = he, him, it nini, nyni = we, us, ourselves (emphatic) hi, i = his, its
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ef, e = he, him, it nini, nyni = we, us, ourselves (emphatic) y hun, ehun, ehunan, ei hun(an) = himself, itself hi, y, ei = his, its
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ef [eːv] = he, him, it (literary) efyntau [eːv] = he also, and him too (literary) (f)e [veː] = he, him, it (south Wales) yntau [ˈənta(ɨ̯) / ˈəntai̯] = he also, and him too (f)o [voː] = he, him, it (north Wales) (f)othau [voː] = he also, and him too (north Wales) ei (… (f)e/(f)o) [ei̯ / iː / ɪ] = his, its ei hun = himself, itself
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	e, ef, ev = he, him, it y, e, a = his, its y honan = himself
Cornish (Kernewek)	ev, e = he, him eev = he, him (emphatic) y = his ev y honan, y honan, y honen = himself, itself
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	em = he, him
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	eff = he, him e, he, è = his
Breton (Brezhoneg)	eñ(v) [ẽw] = he, him eñv = he, him e, he = his e-unan = himself

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ís (this, he) [source]. Words from the same roots include hi (there) in Catalan, aí (there) in Portuguese, ahí (there, that) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	sī = she esyās = her, hers, its
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sí, í = she, it sissi = she, it (emphatic) a, aí = hers
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sí, í, sī = she, her issi, isí = she, her (emphatic) a, aí, áe = hers, its
Irish (Gaeilge)	sí [ʃiː] = she, it ise = she, her (emphatic) i fhèin = herself a [ə] = her, its
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	i [i] = she, her, it sise, ise = she, her (emphatic) i féin = herself a [ə] = her, its
Manx (Gaelg)	ee [iː] = she, her, it eeish, ish = she, her (emphatic) ee hene = herself, her, itself e = her, hers, its
Proto-Brythonic	hi = she eið = her, its
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	em = she, its hithou, ithou = her also, and her too hi, i = her, its
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hi = she, her, it hitheu, hithe = her also, and her too y, i = her, its
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hi [hiː] = she, her, it hithau [ˈhɪθaɨ̯ / ˈhɪθai̯] = her also, (and) her too ei (… hi) [ei̯ / iː / ɪ] = her, its ei hun = herself, itself
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	hy, hi = she, her, it hyhy = she, her, herself (emphatic) y, a = her y honan = herself
Cornish (Kernewek)	hi, hy, hei = she, her hyhi = she, her, herself (emphatic) hy, hy re = hers hy honan, hei hy honan, hi hy honan, hy honen = herself, solo, itself
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hy = she he [e] = her
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hi [hi] = she hehi = she, her (emphathic) he [e] = her he-unan = herself

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European síh₂ (she) [source]. Words from the same roots include she in English, zij (she, they) in Dutch, sie (she, her) in German [source].

Proto-Celtic	eyes, yoi = they ens = them eisom = their(s) *eibis = (to) them
Old Irish (Goídelc)	é, íat, iat = they a, aí = their, theirs
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	íat = they, them a, aí, áe = their, theirs
Irish (Gaeilge)	siad [ʃiəd̪ˠ] = they siadsan [ˈʃiəd̪ˠsənˠ] = they (emphatic) iad [iəd̪ˠ] = they, them iadsan [ˈiət̪ˠsˠənˠ] = they (emphatic) a = their
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	iad [iəd] = they iadsan [ˈiədsən] = they (emphatic) iad fhèin = themselves an [ən] = their
Manx (Gaelg)	ad = they, them adsyn = they, them, themselves (emphatic) adhene = themselves nyn = their, theirs
Proto-Brythonic	*eið = their
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	wy, wynt, hwy, hwynt = they y = their
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nhw [nuː / n̥uː] = they nhwthau [ˈnʊθa / ˈnʊθɛ] = they also, and them too hwy, wy [huːɨ̯ / hʊi̯] = they, them (literary) hwythau [ˈhʊɨ̯θaɨ̯ / ˈhʊi̯θai̯] = they also, and them too hwynt [hʊɨ̯nt / hʊi̯nt] = they (literary) hwyntau, wyntau = they also, and them too (literary) eu, ‘u, ‘w [ei̯] = them eu (… nhw) = their
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	y = they an = them aga = their
Cornish (Kernewek)	i = they ynsi = they (emphatic) aga … i = them, their aga honem, aga honan, anjei = themselves ‘ga, aga (… i) = their aga re, dhedha = theirs
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	int, y = they, them
Breton (Brezhoneg)	int, i [ĩnt / i] = they, them o [o] = their, theirs o-unan = themselves

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *éyes, the plural of *ís (this, he) [source].

We Ourselves

2nd September 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for we, us, our and related pronouns in Celtic languages.

Us Ourselves

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	snīs = we snīsnīs = we, ourselves (?) snos = us anserom = our
Gaulish	sni = we
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sní [ˈsʲn̠ʲiː] = we snisni, nini, sinni = we (emphatic) ar = our
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sní [ˈsʲn̠ʲiː] = we snisni, snissni, snissi, sisni, sinni, nini, ninni = we (emphatic) ar, ‘r = our
Irish (Gaeilge)	sinn [ʃinʲ] = we, us sinne[ˈʃin̠ʲə] = we, us (emphatic) sinn féin = ourself muid [mˠidʲ] = we (Connacht, Ulster) muidne[ˈmˠin̠ʲə] = we, us (emphatic) ár [ɑːɾˠ / əɾˠ / ɛɾʲ] = our
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sinn [ʃiNʲ] = we, us sinne [ʃiNʲə] = we, us (emphatic) sinn fhìn = ourselves ar [ər] = our
Manx (Gaelg)	shin [ʃin] = we, us shinyn = we, us, ourselves (emphatic) shin hene = we ourselves, ourselves ain, ar, nar, nyn = our
Proto-Brythonic	ni = we nini = we (emphatic)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	ni = we, us an = our
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ny, ni = we, us nini, nyni = we, us, ourselves (emphatic) nynheu, ninheu, nynhev, nynne, ninneu = we (us) too, we (us) also, even we (us) nyhunein, nu hun, nyhun(an) = ourselves yn, in, an = our
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ni [niː] = we, us ninnau = we (us) too, we (us) also, even we (us) nyni = we (us) (emphatic), we (us) ourselves nyninnau = we / us also, even we / us, we / us ourselves ein hun(ain) = we, us ourselves, our own ein (… ni) [ei̯n niː] = our, us
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	ni, ny = we, us agan, an = our agan honan = ourselves
Cornish (Kernewek)	ni, nei = we nyni = we (emphatic) agan, ‘gan, ‘n = our agan re = ours agan honan, agan honen = ourselves
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ni = we
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ny = we hon, hor = our
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ni [ni] = we hol, hon, hor = our ni hon hunan = ourselves

Etymology: from PIE *nēs (we), a modification of *nos, the oblique plural form of éǵh₂ (I) [source] and *téwe (your) [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

You Yourself

18th August 202618th August 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for you and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	tū = you (singular), thou towe = your, thy
Gaulish	tu = you (singular), thou
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tú [t̪uː] = you (singular) tussu, túsu [ˈt̪u.su] = you (singular, emphatic) do = your (singular)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tú, tu = you (singular) túsu, túsu, tussu, tússu = you (singular, emphatic) do = your (singular)
Irish (Gaeilge)	tú [t̪ˠuː] = you (singular) tú fhéin [t̪ˠuː heːnʲ] = yourself tusa [ˈt̪ˠɞsˠə / ˈt̪ˠɨsˠə] = you (singular, emphatic) do = your (singular)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	thu [u] = you (singular) thu fhèin [u heːn] = yourself thusa [ˈusə] = you (singular, emphatic) do [də] = your (singular), thy
Manx (Gaelg)	oo [u(ː)] = you (singular) oo-hene [u heːn] = yourself uss [ˈt̪u.su] = you (singular, emphatic) dty = your (singular)
Proto-Brythonic	*ti = you (singular)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	ti = you (singular)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ti, ty = you (singular), thou, thee titheu, thithau = you too, you also, even you dy (… di) = your (singular), thy, thine
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ti [tiː] = you (singular) chdi [χdiː] = you (singular – northern) tithau [ˈtɪθaɨ̯] = you too, you also, even you chdithau [ˈχdiːθaɨ̯] = you too, etc (northern) dy (… di) [də] = your (singular) dy hun(an) [də ˈhɨ̞nan / də ˈhiːnan] = yourself
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	ti, te, ty = thou, thee da, dha, dhe = your (singular)
Cornish (Kernewek)	ty, che, chy = you (singular) dha, ‘th = your (singular) dha honan = yourself
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ti, te = you (singular)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	te = you (singular)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	te [teː] = you (singular) te ivez [teː] = you (singular, emphatic) teal [ˈteː.al] = to address someone informally (with te) da = your (singular) da-unan = yourself

Etymology: from PIE *túh₂ (you, thou) [source] and *téwe (your) [source]. Many words for you (singular) in other Indo-European languages come from the same roots [source].

Proto-Celtic	swīs = you (plural) swīswīs = you (plural, emphatic)
Gaulish	suis = you (plural)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sib, sí(i) [ˈsʲiβʲ / ˈsʲiː] = you (plural), ye sibsi, sissi [ˈsʲiβʲ / ˈsʲi.sʲi] = you (plural, emphatic) for = your (plural)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sib = you (plural) sis(s)i = you (plural, emphatic) for, far = your (plural)
Irish (Gaeilge)	sibh [ʃɪvʲ] = you (plural) sibh fhéin [ʃɪvʲ heːnʲ] = yourselves sibhse [ˈʃivʲʃə] = you (plural, emphatic) bhur = your (plural)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sibh [ʃɪv] = you (plural) sibh fhèin [ʃɪv heːnʲ] = yourselves sibhsa [ʃiːvʃə] = you (plural, emphatic) ur n- [ər n] = your (plural)
Manx (Gaelg)	shiu [ʃuː] = you (plural) shiu-hene [ʃuːhen] = yourselves shiush [ˈʃuːʃ] = you (plural, emphatic) nyn = your (plural)
Proto-Brythonic	hwi = you (plural) hwihwi = you (plural, emphatic)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	hui = you (plural)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	chwi, chi = you, ye (plural) chw(i)chwi = you, ye (plural, emphatic), you yourselves y ch, ych, ‘ch = your (plural)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	chwi, chi [χ(w)ɪ] = you (plural) chi hun(ain) [χɪ ˈhɨ̞n(ai̯n) / ˈhiːn(ai̯n)] = yourselves chithau [ˈχɪθaɨ̯ / ˈχɪθai̯] = you also, and you too chwychwi, chwchwim chychwi = you (plural, emphatic), you yourselves eich (… chi) [ei̯χ] = your (plural)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	hwi, hwî, why = ye, you (plural) agas, ages, agis, agos, agys = your (plural) ages honan = yourselves
Cornish (Kernewek)	hwi, hwei = you (plural) hwyhwi = you (plural, emphatic) agas, ‘gas, ‘s [aɡəs / aɡəz] = your (plural) agas honan = yourselves
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	hui = you (plural)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	huy = you (plural) hoz, ho = your (plural)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	c’hwi, hwi [ˈxwiː] = you (plural) c’hwi ivez = you (plural, emphatic) c’hwial [ˈxwiːal] = to address someone formally (with c’hwi) ho, hoc’h = your (plural) hoc’h-unan = yourselves

Etymology: from PIE *wos, the oblique form of *yúHs (you (plural)) [source]. Many words for you (plural) in other Indo-European languages come from the same roots [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

Shining Bright

7th August 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for clear, bright, shining and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*gleiwos = shining, clear, sparkling
Gaulish	*gleuos = bright, shiny
Old Irish (Goídelc)	glé [ˈɡʲlʲeː] = bright, clear, plain glésse = brightness
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	glé, gle = clear, plain, evident gléid = to make clear, purify, clear up gleóir = clear, luminous, bright gléthech = bright, pure
Irish (Gaeilge)	glé [ɟlʲeː] = clear, bright, vivid, limpid, pure, lucid, luminous, intense, sharp gléine = brilliance, clarity, crispness, lucidity, luminosity, sharpness, vibrancy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	glè† [gleː] = real, pure, clean, good, open, plain
Proto-Brythonic	*gluɨw = bright, shining, sparkling
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	gloiu = bright, shining, sparkling
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gloev, gloyw, gloew = bright, shining, sparkling gloewi, gloywi = to brighten, polish, clarify gloywder, gloewder = brightness, clearness, splendour, radience gloewed = clearness, brightness, radiance, glory, praise gloewr = polisher, burnisher
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gloyw [ˈɡlɔɨ̯.u / ˈɡlɔi̯.u] = bright, shining, sparkling, polished, burnished, clear, limpid, lucid, transparent, definite gloywder = brightness, clearness, splendour, radience gloywedd = clearness, brightness, radiance, glory, praise gloywi = to brighten, polish, clarify gloywwr = polisher, burnisher Caerloyw = Gloucester
Cornish (Kernewek)	gluw = shining
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	gloeu = clear
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gloeu = clear
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gloev = clear, limpid, bloated, rare gloevenn = to become sparse, to thin out

Etymology: from PIE *ǵʰley- (to shine) [source].

Glēvum, the Latin name for Gloucester, also comes from the same Proto-Celtic roots [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include glimma (to glimmer, gleam, shine) in Swedish, glitzern (to glitter, sparkle) in German, glær (clear, transparent) in Icelandic, and glimmer, gleam, glint, glisten, glitter and gloom in English [source].

For more words for bright, etc, see the Bright Lights post.

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

Confluent Ravines

31st July 202631st July 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for ravine and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	komberos. komboros = place where river water brews up, confluence (place where rivers meet), dam, barrage
Gaulish	*comberos = river dam
Old Irish (Goídelc)	commar = confluence, meeting place
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	commar, commur, commor = confluence (of rivers), assembly, meeting place
Irish (Gaeilge)	cumar = ravine (usually with a stream), steep-sided inlet (of the sea), channel, rut cumarach = channelled, rutted
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	comar [komər] = confluence, concourse comarach [komərəx] = pertaining to or abounding in confluences; confluent
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	cmer = confluence, meeting of waters, meeting place or clash of armies
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cimer, kimer = confluence, meeting of waters, meeting place or clash of armies
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cymer [ˈkəmɛr] = confluence (of rivers or streams), meeting of waters, meeting place or clash of armies
Cornish (Kernewek)	kemper = confluence, junction of streams
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kember [ˈkɛm.bɛr] = confluence kemberiñ [kɛm.ˈbeː.rĩ] = to converge

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *kom- (with, together) and *berwos- (stew), from PIE *ḱóm (beside, near, by with) and *bʰrewh₁ (to boil, brew).

Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Gaulish *comberos and Latin combrus (river dam, may include encombrer (to block off, clutter, congest, encumber, burden) in French, escombrar (to clear out, clean out) in Spanish, and cumbersome, encumber and incumbrance in English [source].

Words from the same PIE roots possibly include berwi (to boil) and brwd (eager, keen) in Welsh, brænde (to burn, distill) in Danish, brouwen (to brew) in Dutch, brouiller (to blur, confuse) in French, bruth (heat, rash) in Irish, and bread, brew, broth, burn, fervor in English [source].

For more words for confluence and related things see the Rivers Mouths post.

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

Awkwardly Clumsy

25th July 202625th July 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for awkward, clumsy and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*trudskos = leprous
Gaulish	Troxo, 𐌕𐌓𐌏𐌗𐌏 = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	trosc = leprosy
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	trosc = leprosy trusca(e), trousca = smallpox
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	trosc† = leper
Proto-Brythonic	*trusk = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	trwsgl, trosgl, trwsgwl, trwscwl = awkward, clumsy, crude, rude
Welsh (Cymraeg)	trwsgl [ˈtrʊsɡl] = awkward, clumsy, unskilful, unpolished, crude, rude, badly proportioned, strong, gross, coarse, dense, thick trwsglaidd, trysglaidd = (quite) clumsy or awkward trwsgleiddiaf, trwsgleiddio = to make clumsy or coarse trwsgleiddiwch = clumsiness, awkwardness, carelessness, a bungling, shoddy work trwsglyn = bungler, botcher
Cornish (Kernewek)	trosgan = cleverness
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	trusci = scabs on a wound (?)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	trousq = scabs on a wound trousquen = the scab of a wound
Breton (Brezhoneg)	trousk [ˈtrusk] = scab on a wound, scabs, polyps trouskenn = scab on a wound, scab, scar, crust trouskennañ = to form a scab, to become encrusted, to scarify, to form a crust

Etymology: unknown, related to Gothic 𐌸𐍂𐌿𐍄𐍃𐍆𐌹𐌻𐌻 (þrutsfill – leprosy) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	liobarnach = numb with cold
Irish (Gaeilge)	liobar [ˈl̠ʲɨbˠəɾˠ] = hanging lip, something saggy, untidy person, flabby person or thing liobairne [ˈl̪ˠɞbˠəɾˠn̠ʲə] = looseness liobarnach [ˈlʲɨbˠəɾˠn̪ˠəx] = unwieldy, clumsy, floppy, flabby, hanging loose, sloppy, tattered, slovely liopasta = untidy, ungainly, clumsy liopastacht = untidiness, clumsiness liopastán = untidy person, clumsy person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	liobair = person with thick or hanging lips, slovenly or awkward person liobarnach slovely, awkward liobasta [l̪ʲibəsdə] = awkward, clumsy, cumbersome, unwieldy liobastach [l̪ʲibəsdəx] = awkward, clumsy, cumbersome, unwieldy libisteachd [l̪ʲibɪʃdʲəxg] = clumsiness libistear [l̪ʲibɪʃdʲər] = clumsy person
Manx (Gaelg)	lheibeidjagh = cumbersome, unwieldy, difficult to walk on

Etymology: unknown, possibly related to English slippery [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

Bushy Hedges

17th July 202617th July 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for hedge, bush and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	kʷerstā, kʷerkus, *kʷerxt- = hedge, bush
Gaulish	perth [pɛrθ] = bush, hedge
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ceirt = apple tree, Ogham letter ᚊ (q) [kw]
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ceirt, cert = apple tree, Ogham letter ᚊ (q) [kw]
Irish (Gaeilge)	ceirt [cɛɾˠtʲ] = apple tree, Ogham letter ᚊ (q) [kw]
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceirt [kʲer̪ʃdʲ] = Ogham letter ᚊ (q) [kw], crab / wild apple (archaic)
Proto-Brythonic	*perθ [pɛrθ] = bush, thicket
Pictish	*ᚚᚓᚏᚈ (pert) = wood, grove
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	perth = hedge, (thorn) bush, brake, thicket, copse
Welsh (Cymraeg)	perth [pɛrθ] = hedge, (thorn) bush, brake, thicket, copse, coppice, bush, countryside, jungle
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	perth = a bush
Cornish (Kernewek)	perth = thicket

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *pérkus (oak) [source].

Perth, the city in Scotland, gets it’s name from the Pictish word *ᚚᚓᚏᚈ (pert). The Scottish Gaelic version of the name: Peairt comes from the same roots, as does the city of Perth in Australia [source].

Other words from the same roots include fjör (vitality, sprightliness, vigour, energy, fun, merriment, life) in Icelandic, fur (pinewood) in Swedish, quercia (oak) in Italian, pērkons (thunder) in Latvian, and fir and cork in English, and possibly the words below [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kʷerkʷtā = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ceirt = rag
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ceirt, cert = rag, piece of cloth ceirtín = tatters certán = an item of clothing (?)
Irish (Gaeilge)	ceirt [cɛɾˠtʲ] = piece of clothing, rag, clout ceirtachán = ragged person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceirt† [kʲer̪ʃdʲ] = rag ceirteach† [kʲer̪ʃdʲəx] = rag, ragged, pertaining to or abounding in rags ceirteachd† = tawdriness, raggedness ceirteag† = ragged girl

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *perkʷ-téh₂, from *perkʷ- (oak) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	garrda = garden, yard
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	garrda, garrga = a plot, yard, enclosure, court, garden garrdadóir = gardener
Irish (Gaeilge)	garraí [ˈɡɑɾˠiː] = garden, yard, enclosure, ring, halo garrdaíodóir = gardener garraíodóireacht = gardening
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gàrradh [gaːr̪ˠəɣ] = dyke, wall, garden, enclosure
Manx (Gaelg)	garey = garden, allotment, arbour gareyder = gardener, horticulturalist garagh, gareydys = gardening
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gard, gart, gardd = garden, enclosure gard(d)wr = gardener
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gardd = garden, enclosure garddio = to garden, cultivate a garden garddlan = garden, nursery garddol = garden, horticultural garddoriaeth = horticulture garddwr = gardener garddwriaeth = gardening, horticulture
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	garth = a garden
Cornish (Kernewek)	garth = courtyard, enclosure, yard
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	garz = bush, hedge
Breton (Brezhoneg)	garzh [ɡars] = hedge, wooded embankment

Etymology: from Old Norse garðr (enclosed space, yard), from Proto-Germanic *gardaz (court, yard, enclosure), from PIE *gʰórdʰos (hedge, fence), from *gʰerdʰ- (to enclose, encircle, enclosure, fence, belt). Words from the same roots include yard, garth, girth, girdle, garden and horticulture in English, jardin (garden) in French, gård (farm, estate, land, court, yard) in Danish, gård (estate, farmstead, ranch, yard) in Swedish [source].

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, Dictionnaires bilingues de Francis Favereau / Edition Skol Vreizh, TermOfis

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Tag: Gaelic

Seaweed

Barley

Suction

He, She, It

We Ourselves

You Yourself

Shining Bright

Confluent Ravines

Awkwardly Clumsy

Bushy Hedges