Celtic cognates

This section contains words that are cognate in all or some of the modern Celtic languages - Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Manx, Welsh, Cornish and Breton.

The six modern Celtic languages are divided into two branches: Goidelic and Brythonic. The former branch consists of Irish, Manx and Scottish Gaelic, while the latter branch includes Welsh, Cornish and Breton.

While there are many similarities between the languages in each branch, there are fewer similiarities between the two branches as they have had thousands of years to grow apart. However, they do still have quite a few words that are related (cognates).

Complete Cognates | Partial Cognates
Cognates arranged thematically: Adjectives | Animals | Birds | Clothes | Colours | Conjunctions | Countries | Food and Drink | Landscape | Languages | Metals | Musical terms | Numbers | Parts of the body | People | Prepositions | Pronouns | Sea creatures | Time expressions | Trees and Plants | Verbs | Weather | Other words

Complete Cognates

These words are cognate (related) in all six modern Celtic languages. Click on the English translations to find out more about them on the Celtiadur blog.

Words marked* are archaic/obsolete.

Gaeilge (Irish)	Gàidhlig (Gaelic)	Gaelg (Manx)	Cymraeg (Welsh)	Kernewek (Cornish)	Brezhoneg (Breton)	English
abar	abar, obar	aber	aber	aber	aber	estuary, river mouth
abhaill	abhall	ooyl	afall	avalen	avalwez	apple
abhainn	abhainn	awin	afon	avon	aven	river
aer, aidhéar	adhar	aer	awyr	ayr	aer	air, sky
agus	agus	as	a/ac	hag	ha/hag	and
ailt	alt	alt	allt	als	aod	hillock, hill(side), cliff, coast
aimsir	aimsir	emshir	amser	amser	amzer	time, weather
aimsir	aimsir	emshir	amser	amser	amzer	weather, time
aingeal	aingeal	aile	angel	eledh	ael	fire, angel
ainm	ainm	ennym	enw	hanow	anv	name
airgead	airgead	argid	arian	arghans	arc'hant	silver
airne	àirne	airn	eirinen	eyrinen	irinenn	plum, damson, sloe
anáil	anail	ennal	anadl	anal	anal	breath
anam	anam	annym	enaid	enev	ene	soul, spirit
aois	aois	eash	oes, oed	oos, ooj	oad	age
aon	aon	nane/un	un	onan	unan	one, same, any
ard	àrd	ard	ardd	ardh	arz	high
ard	àrd	ard	ardd	ardh	arz	height, hill
aréir	a-raoir	riyr	neithiwr	nyhewer	neizheur	last night
asal	asal	assyl	asyn	asen	azen	donkey, ass
ascaill	asgall	aghlish, oghlish	asgell	askel	askell	wing, fin, armpit
bac	bac	bac	bach	bagh	bac'h	hook, mattock, hindrance
bairín	bairín	berreen	bara	bara	bara	bread, loaf, cake
banbh	banbh	bannoo	banw	banow	banv	piglet, sow
bard	bàrd	bard	bardd	bardh	barzh	bard, poet
barr	bàrr	baare	bar	barr	barr	top, point, summit
beag	beag	beg	bach, bychan	byghan	bihan	small
béal	beul	beeal	gwefus	gweus	gweuz	lip, mouth
bealach	bealach	bollagh	bwlch	bolgh	boulc'h	way, pass, breach, road
bean	bean	ben	benyw, menyw	ben, benyn	e-ben	woman, wife
beann	beann	beinn	ban	ban	bann	horn, mountain, top, peak
bearr	beàrr	baarey	byr	berr	berr	short, to cut
beatha	beatha	beaghey	bywyd	bewnans	buhez	life
beith	beith	beih	bedw	besewen	bezv	birch
beo	beò	bio	byw	bew	bev	alive, living
beo	beò	bio	byw	bewa	bevañ	to live, alive
bhfuil	bheil	vel	gweld	gweles	gwelet	to see, to be
bí	bì	bee	bod	bos	bezañ	to be
bia	biadh	bee	bwyd	boos	boued	food
bith*	bith	beays	byd	bys	bed	world, being, existence
blais	blais	blasstyn	blasu	blasa	blasa	to taste, to smell
bláth	blàth	blaa	blodyn	bleujen	bleuñv	flower, blossom
bleacht	bliochd	bluight	blith, llefrith	leuerid	bleiz, livrizh	milk, milkiness
bliain	bliadhna	blein	blwyddyn	blydhen	bloavezh	year
blonag	blonag	blonnag	bloneg	blonek	bloneg	fat, lard, blubber
bó	bó	booa	buwch	bugh	buoc'h	cattle, cow
boc, poc (gabhair), pocán	boc, boc-gobhair	bock, bock goayr	bwch, bwch gafr	bogh	bo(u)c'h	billy goat
bodhar	bodhar	bouyr	byddar	bodhar	bouzar	deaf
bolg	bolg	bolg	bol(a)	bolgh	bolc'h	belly, stomach
bord	bòrd	boayrd	bwrdd, bwrd	bord, bordh	bourzh	table, board
bos	bas	bass	bos	bas	boz	palm, fist
both	bothan, bùth	bwaane, bwaag	bwd, bwth	bod*	bod	booth, hut, cottage
bráthair, deartháir	bráthair	braar	brawd	broder	breur	brother
breac	breac	breck	brych	brygh*	brec'h	speckled, striped, spotted
bréan	breun	breinn	braen	breyn	brein	rotten
brí	brìgh	bree	bri	bri	bri	strength, essence, power, honour, dignity
broc	broc	brock	broch	brogh	broc'h	badger
broinne	broinn	brein	bryn	bronn, brodn	bronn	hill(ock), breast, bulge
brugh	brugh	brogh	bro	bro	bro	country, territory, broch
bua	buaidh	booie	budd	budh	buz	victory, profit
buachaill	buachaill	bochilley	bugail	bugel	bugel	boy, child, shepherd
buime	muime	mimmey	mam	mamm	mamm	mother, stepmother, nurse
bun	bun	bun	bôn	ben	ben	base, foundation
caí	caoidh	coe	cwyn	kynvan	keuziañ	lament, mourning, weeping
caileann	cailindha	caillyn	calan	kalan	kala, kaland	calends, 1st of month
caimse	caimis	chemise	camse	hevis	hiviz	shirt, chemise, smock
cáis	càise	caashey	caws	keus	keuz	cheese
caiseal	caisteal	cashtal	castell	kastel	kastell	fort, fortress, town, city, castle
Cáisg	Càisg	Caisht	Pasg	Pask	Pask	Easter
cam	cam	cam	cam	kamm	kamm	crooked, bent, curve
can	can	caayn	canu	kana	kanañ	to sing, to speak
caoineadh	caoidh	keayney	cwyno	kyni	keuziañ	to lament, to complain
capall	capall	cabbyl	ceffyl	cevil, kevil	kefel	horse
carbad	carbad	carbyd	cerbyd	cerpit*	karbed	chariot, car
carcair	carcair	carchyr	carchar	carhar*	karc'har	prison, jail
carr	càr	carr	car	karr	karr	car, chariot, wagon
carraig	carraig	carrick	carreg	karrek	karreg	rock, stone
carria	cair-fhiadh, carbh-fheadh	çharroo	carw	karow	karv	deer, stag
cat	cat	kayt	cath	kath	kazh	cat
cat fireann	cat fireann, moth-chat, cullach-cait	kayt firryn	cwrcath, gwrcath, cwrcyn	kath	kazh	tomcat, male cat
cath	cath	cah	cad	kas	kad	battle
céad	ceud	keead	cant	kans	kant	hundred
ceann	ceann	kione	pen	penn	penn	head
ceathar	ceithir	kiare	pedwar (m), pedair (f)	peswar (m), peder (f)	pevar (m), peder (f)	four
céile	cèile	cloan keilley	cilydd	kyla	kile	companion, spouse
céim	ceum	keim	cam	kamm	kamm	step
ciall	ciall	keeall	pwyll	poll	poell	mind, sense
cill	cill	keeill	cell	kell	kell	cell, church
ciorcal	cearcall	kiarkyl	cylch	kelgh, kylgh	klec'h	circle, ring
cistin	cistin	kishteen	cegin	kegin	kegin	kitchen
clann, planda	clann, plannt	cloan, plant	plant	plans	plantenn	children, clan, plant
clú	cliù	goo	clyw	klew	klev	hearing, fame
cliabh	cliabh	clean	cawell	kowell	kavell	basket, creel, pannier
cliath	cliath	cleea	clwyd	kloos	kloued	hurdle, fence
cloch	clach	clagh	clog	clog	kleger	stone, cliff
clog	clag	clag	cloch	klogh	kloc'h	bell, clock
clé	clì	cleeah	cledd	cleth	kleiz	left, north
cluin	cluinn	cluin	clywed	klewes	klevet	to hear
cnó	cnò	cro	cnau	know	kraoñ	nut
cnoc	cnoc	cronk	cnwc	krug	krec’h	hill, mount, mound, breast
coicís	ceala-deug, cola-deug	kegeesh	pythefnos	hanter-mis	pemzektez	fortnight
coileach	coileach	kellagh	ceiliog	kulyek	kilhog	cockerel, rooster
coiléan	cuilean	quallian	colwyn	kolyn	kolen	puppy
coinín	coinean, coineanach	conneeyn, conning	cwningen	konin	koulin, konifl, konikl	rabbit
coll	coll, calltainn	coull	coll	koll	kelvez	hazel
colm, colmán	calman, colman	calmane, colmane	colomen, clomen	kolom	koulm, koulom	pigeon, dove
copar	copar	cobbyr, copuir	copr	kober	kouevr	copper
cor	car	cor	agor	ygor, ygeri	digor	to open, turn
corim	curim	cuirrey	cwrw	korev	korev	beer, feast, banquet
corr	corra	coar	crychydd	kerghydh	kerc'heiz	heron, stork, crane
craiceann	craiceann	crackan	croen	kroghen	kroc'hen	skin, hide, surface
crann	crann	croan	pren	pren	prenn	tree, mast, boom, wood, bar
creathán	crithnich	craa	crynu	krena	krenañ	to tremble, quake, shiver
criathar	criathar	creear	crwydr	kroder	krouer	sieve, riddle, wandering
crios	crios	cryss	crys	krys	krez	shirt, belt, girdle
crith	crith	crie	cryd	kren	kren	fever, trembling, shaking
cró	crò	croa	crau, craw	krow	krao, kraou	stable, enclosure
cruach	cruach	creagh	crug	krug	cruc	hillock, heap, mound, pile
cruinn	cruinn	cruinn	crwn	krenn, kern	krenn	round
cruth	cruth	croo	pryd	prys	pred	shape, form, time, moment
cú	cù	coo	ci	ki	ki	dog, hound
cúig	cóig	queig	pump	pymp	pemp	five
cúl	cùl	cooyl	cil	kil	kil	back, corner
cuileann	cuileann	cullyn	celyn(en)	kelyn(nen)	kelen(enn)	holly
curach	curach	curragh	corwg	koroug	korac'h	coracle, currach
dair, doire	dair, darach	darragh, darrag	dâr, derw(en)	dar, derw(en)	derv	oak
dall	dall	doal	dall	dall	dall	blind
damh	damh	dow	dafad	davas	dañvad	sheep, ox, deer
dearbh	dearbh	jarroo	(cefn)der(w)	(ken)derow	(ken)derv	sure certain
deas	deas	jesh	deau, de	dyghow	dehou	right, south
deich	deich	jeih	deg	deg	dek	ten
deireadh seachtaine	deireadh-seachdain	jerrey shiaghtin	penwythnos	penn-seythen	diben-sizhun	weekend
dia	dia	jee	duw	duw	doue	god, deity
dia	die	je/jy	dydd	dydh	deiz	day
dó	dha	da	dau (m), dwy (f)	dew (m), diw (f)	daou (m), div (f)	two, both, pair
dobahrchú, dobhrán	dobhar-chù, dòbhran	dooarchoo	dwrgi, dyfrgi, ci dŵr	dowrgi	dourgi	otter, beaver
dobhar	dobhar	dooar	dŵr	dowr	dour	water
dorn	dòrn	doarn	dwrn	dorn	dorn	fist, hand
draoi	draoidh	druaight	drwy, derwydd	druw, drewydh	drouiz	druid, wizard
dréacht	dreachd	draght, dreaght	darn	darn	darn	part, piece
driocht	draoidheachd	druaight	derwyddiaeth	drewydhieth	drouizelezh	magic, sorcery, druidism
droch	droch	drogh	drwg	drog	drouk	bad, evil
druid	druid	truitlag	drudwy	trojen	tred, tridig	starling
dubh	dubh	doo	du	du	du	black
duille	duille	duilley	dail	delen	deil	leaf, foliage
duine	duine	dooinney	dyn	den	den	person, human, man
díoghail	dìoghail	jeeyl	dial	dial	dial	revenge, vengence, damage
dún	dùn	doon	din, dinas	din, dinas	din	fort, fortress, town, city, castle
dúr	dùr	douyr	dur	dur	dir	steel, hard, dour
each	each	agh	ebol	ebel	ebeul	horse, colt, foal
eaglais	eaglais	agglish	eglwys	eglos	iliz	church
eala	eala	olla(y)	alarch	alargh	alarc'h	swan
éan	eun	eean	edn*, aderyn	edhen	evn	bird
earrach	earrach	arree	gwanwyn	gwaynten	nevez-amzer	spring
eidheann	eidheann	hibbin	eiddew	idhyow	iliav	ivy
eile	eile	elley	ail	eyl	eil	other, second
eireog	eireag	earrag	iar	yar	yar	hen, chicken
eite	ite	fedjag	adain	aden*	attanoc*	wing, fin, feather
eó	eo	iodh	yw	ewin	iwin, ivin	yew
faoi	fo	fo	go	go*	gwa- gou-	under, below, rather
faoileán, faoileog	faoileann, faoileag	foillan, foilleig, fooilleig	gwylan	golan	gouelan	seagull
fead	fead	fed	gwynt	gwyns	gwent	whistle, wind
fead, feadóg	fead, feadag	fed, feddan	gwynt	gwnys	gwent	whistle, wind
feall	feall	foall	gwall	gwall	gwall	deceit, treachery, mistake, defect
fear	fear	fer	gŵr	gour	gour	man, husband
féar	feur	faiyr	gwair	gora	garzh	hay, grass
fearnóg	feàrna	farney	gwern	gwern	gwern	alder
féile	fèil	feaill, feailley	gŵyl	gool	gouel	feast, festival
feis	fèis	feish	gwest	gwester	guest*	festival, entertainment, guest
fia	fiadh	feie	gŵydd	goodh	gouez	wild
fiche	fichead	feed	ugain	ugens	ugent	twenty
ficheall	fidhcheall	feeal	gwyddbwyll	gwydhbol	gwezboell	chess
figh	fighe	fee	gweu	gwia	gweañ	to weave
fiodh	fiodh	fuygh	gwŷdd	gwydh	gwez	tree, wood, timber
fionn	fionn	fynn	gwyn	gwynn	gwenn	white, blond
fionn	fionn	feddyn	gwybod	godhvos	gouzout	to know, find out, discover
fíor	fìor	feer	gwir	gwir	gwir	true
flaith	flath	flah	gwlad	gwlas, gulas	glad	prince, lordship, country, nation
flaith	flath	flah	gwlad	gwlas, gulas	glad	prince, lordship, country, nation
fleá	fleadh	fleah	gwledd	gwledh	gloê	feast, banquet
fliuch	fliuch	fliugh	gwlyb	gleb, glyb	gleb	wet
fogas	fagas, faisg	faggys	agos	ogas	hogos	near, close
foireann	foireann	fwirran	gwerin	gwerin	gwerin	people, staff, plebs, crew
folt	falt	folt	gwallt	gols	guolt*	hair
fómhar	foghar	fouyr	hydref	hedra, kynnyay, kydnyadh	here, kozhamzer, diskar-amzer	autumn
fraoch	fraoch	freoagh	grug	grug	brug	heather
fréamh	freumh	fraue	gwraidd	gwreydh	gwrizienn	root, origin, source
fuil	fuil	fuil	gweli	goli	gouli	blood, wound
fuinseog	fuinnseag, uinnseann	unjin	onn	onn	onn	ash
ga	gath	goull	gwayw	guw	goaf	spear, javelin, beam
gabh	gabh	gow	gafael	gavel	gabael	to hold, to take
gabha	gobha	gaaue	gof	gov	gov	(black)smith
gabhal	gobhal	goal	gafl	gowl	gaol	fork, crotch, gable
gabhar	gobhar	goayr	gafr	gaver	gavr	goat
Gael	Gàidheal	Gael	Gwyddel	Godhal	Gouezel	Gael, Irish person
gair	gàir	guee	gair	ger	ger	to call, to shout, to invoke
gair, gáir	goir, gàir	gerr	gair, gawr	ger	ger	call, shout, word
gairm	gairm	gerrym	garm	garm	garm	call, shout, yell
gal	gal	gaal, gall	gâl	gal	gal*	ardour, vapour, enemy
gé	gèadh	guiy	gwydd	goedh	gwaz	goose
geal	geal	gial	gell	gell	gell	white
gealbhan	gealbhonn	gialloon, giallun, giallyn, jallyn	golfan	golvan	golvan	sparrow
geil	geil	gyndyr	gwellt	gwels	geot, gwelt	grass, graze
geimhreadh	geamhradh	geurey	gaeaf	gwaf	goañv	winter
glan	glan	glen	glân	glan	glan	clean, clear
glas	glas	glass	glas	glas	glas	blue, green, grey
glúin	glùin	glioon	glin	glyn	glinn	knee
gorm	gorm	gorrym	gwrm*	gorm, (brown)	uurm*, (dark)	blue, black
gríos	grìos	gree	gwres	gwres	gwrez	warmth, heat
gualainn	gualainn	geaylin, geayliney	ysgywdd	skoodh	skoaz	shoulder
iarann	iarann	yiarn	haearn	horn	houarn	iron
ibh	ibh	iu	yfed	eva	evañ	to drink
ím	ìm	eem	(y)menyn	amanyn	amanenn, amann, amonenn	butter
inis	innis	innis	ynys	enys	enez	island
inné	an-dé	jea	ddoe	de	de'ch	yesterday, tonight
inniu	an-diugh	jiu	heddiw	hedhyw	hiziu	today
iolar	iolair	urley	eryr	er	erer	eagle
ionga	ìne, ionga	yngin	ewin	ewin	ivin	(finger/toe), nail
iora	feòrag	fiorag	gwiwer	gwiwer	gwiñver	squirrel
íseal	ìosal	injil, ishil*	isel	isel	izel	low
iúr	iubhar, iùbhar	euar	efwr, ewr	evor	evor	yew, alder
labhair	labhair	loayrt	llefaru	leverel	lavaret	to speak, to say, to talk
lacht	lac, lachd	laght	llaeth	leth	laezh	milk, sweet milk
lán	làn	lane	llawn	leun	leun	full
lann*	lann	lann	llan	lann	lann	church, parish, land, enclosure
lao	laogh	lheiy	llo	leugh	leue	calf
lár	làr	laare	llawr	leur	leur	floor, ground
láthair	làthair	laaragh	llawdr	lodrik	loer	trousers, sock, area
leabhar	leabhar	lioar	llyfr	lyver	levr	book
leac	leac	leac	llech	legh	lec'h	stone, slate
lámh	làmh	laue	llaw	leuv	lav	hand, arm
leamhán	leamhan	lhiouan	llwyf	elow	evlec'h	elm, linden, lime
leann, lionn	leann, lionn	lhune, lhionney	llyn	lin	liñvenn	ale, beer, liquid, drink
leath	leth	lieh	lled	les	led	half, breadth, width
leathan	leathann	lhean	llydan	ledan	ledan	wide, broad
léigh	leugh	lhaih	llên, darllen	lenna	lenn	to read, literature
léim	leum	lheim	llamu	lamma	lammat	to jump
liach	liogh	lheegh	llwy	lo	loa	spoon, ladle
liath	liath	lheeah	llwyd	loos	loued	grey
linn	linne	lhingey	llyn	lynn, lydn	lenn	lake, pool
líomh(adh)	lìomh	shleeu	llymu	llymma	lemmañ	to grind, to polish, to sharpen
loch	loch	logh	llwch	logh	loc'h	lake, pond, inlet
loisc, loscadh	loisg, losgadh	losht, lostey	llosgi	leski	leskiñ, loskañ	to burn
luch, luchóg	luch	lugh	llyg, llygoden	logosen	loc*, logodenn	mouse, shrew
lucht	luchd	lught	llwyth	looth	liezh	people, tribe
lus	lus	lus	llys	les	louzaouenn	plant, herb
má	magh	magh	maes	mes	maez	field, plain
mac	mac	mac	mab	mab	mab	son, boy
maith	math	mie	mad*	mas*	mat/mad	good
maoin	maoin	mayn	mwyn	muin	maon	gift, gentle, thin
maol	maol	meayl	moel	mool	moal	bald, bare
marbh	marbh	merriu, marroo	marw, marwolaeth	mernans	marv	dead, death, deceased
marbh	marbh	marroo	marw	merwel	mervel	to die, dead
marc*	marc*	mark(sleih)	march	margh	marc'h	horse, stallion
máthair	màthair	moir	modryb	modrep	moereb	mother, aunt
meann	meann	mannan	myn	min	menn	kid goat
méid	meud	mooad	maint	myns	ment	size, amount, quantity
méin	mèinn	meain	mwyn, mŵn	moon	men*	mineral, ore, metal, mine
mí	mi, mìos	mee	mis	mis	miz	month
mil	mil	mill	mêl	mel	mel	honey
míle	mìle	meeiley	mil	mil	mil	1,000
míol	mial	meeyl	mil	mil	mil	animal, louse, insect
miotal	miotal, meiteal	metal	metel, metal	metol	metal	metal, mettle
molt	mult	mohlt	mollt	mols	maout	ram, wether
moned, monad	monadh	muyne	mynydd	menydh	menez	mountain, moorland, hillside
mór	mòr	mooar	mawr	meur	meur	big, large, great
muad*	muadh	meeley	meddal	medhel	med(d)al*	soft, tender
muc	muc	muc	moch(yn)	mogh	moc'h	pig
muinchille	manag, muinchill	muineel	maneg	manek	maneg	glove, sleeve
muir	muir	mooir	môr	mor	mor	sea
muirmil*, míol mór	mial-mhór, muc-mhara	meeyl mooar	morfil	morvil	morvil, balum	whale
naoi	naoi	nuy	naw	naw	nav	nine
nathair	nathair	aarnieu, ardnieu	neidr	nader	naer	snake
neamh	nèamh	niau	nef	nev	neñv	sky, heaven
néal	neul	niaul, neeal	niwl	niwl	nivlenn	cloud, mist, fog
nia	nia	neear	nai	noy	niz	nephew
Nollaig	Nollaig	Nollick	Nadolig	Nadelik	Nedeleg	Christmas
nóta	nòta	notey	nodyn	notya	notenn	note
nua	nuadh	noa	newydd	nowydh	nevez	new
óg	òg	aeg	ifanc	yowynk, yonk	yaouank	young
ocht	ochd	hoght	wyth	eth	eizh	eight
olann	olann	ollan	gwlân	gwlan	glaon	wool
ór	òr	airh	aur	owr	aour	gold
ord	òrd	oardyr, ordyr	urdd	urdh	urzh	order, sequence
peaca	peaca	peccah	pech	pegh	pec'h	sin, guilt
piscín	piseag	pishin, pishanagh	cath fach	kathik	kazhig	kitten
pluma	plumais, plùmbais	plumbis	plemysen	ploumen	prunenn	plum
pobal	poball	pobble	pobl	pobel	pobl	people, family
póg	pòg	paag	pocyn	poccuil*	pok	kiss
raithneach	raineach	renniagh	rhedyn	reden	raden	fern, bracken
rann, roinn	rann, roinn	rheynn	rhan	radn	rann	division, part
rath	rath	raah, rah	rhad	ras	rat	grace, virtue
reo	reòth	rio	rhew	rew	rev	frost, ice
rí	rìgh	ree	rhi	riel	ri*	king, royal
rinn	rinn	rinn	rhyn	rynn	rinn	point, top, cape, promontory
rith	ruith	roie	rhedeg	resek	redek	to run
rón	ròn	raun	moelrhon, moelrhawn	reun	reunig	seal
roth	roth	roar	rhod	ros	rod	wheel, bicycle
ros	ros	ros	rhos	ros	ros	promontory, wood
rua	ruadh	ruy	rhudd	rudh	ruz	red
rún	rùn	roon	rhin, cyfrin	rin, kevrin	rin	secret, mystery
rúsc	rùsg	roost	rhisgl	rusken	rusk	bark, beehive
saighead	saighead	side	saeth	seth	saezh	arrow
sáil	sàil	saayl	sawdl	seudhel	seul	heel
sáile	sàl	sailley	hâl	hyli	hal	sea water, salt
saileach	seileach	shellagh	helygen (sg), helyg (pl)	helygen (sg), helyk (pl)	halegenn (sg), haleg (pl)	willow
salann	salann	sollan	halen	holen	holen	salt
samhradh	samhradh	sourey	haf	haf	hañv	summer
scafa	sgiof sgoth sgib	skiff	(y)sgraff	skath	skof	boat skiff
scríobh	sgrìobh	screeu	ysgrifennu	skrifa	skrivañ	to write
scuab	sguab	skeab	ysgub, ysgubell	skub, skubell	skub, skubell	brush, broom, sheaf
sé	sia	shey	chwech	hwegh	c'hwec'h	six
seabhac	seabhag	shawk, shirragh	hebog, gwalch	hok	gwalc'h	falcon, hawk
seach	seach	shagh	heb	heb	hep	without, otherwise, by, past
seacht	seachd	siaght	saith	seyth	seizh	seven
seachtain	seachdain	shiaghtin	wythnos	seythen	sizhun	week
sean	sean	shenn	hen	hen	hen	old
seas	seas	shass	sefyll	sevel	sevel	to stand
seol	seòl	shiaull	hwyl	gool	gouel	sail
sí, síth	sìth, sìoth	shee	hedd	hedh	hez	peace, mound, fairy
sin	sin	shen	hwn, hon, hyn	henn	henn*	that, this
síos	sìos	sheese	is	a-is	is	down(wards), below, under
siúr*, deirfiúr	siùir*, puithar	shuyr	chwaer	hwor	c'hoar	sister
slat	slat	slat	llath	lath	lazh	stick, rod, staff
slua	sluagh	sleih	llu	lu	lu	people, horde, force
sméar	smeur	smeyr	mwyar	mor	mouar	berry, blackberry
soc	soc	sock	hwch	hogh	ho(u)c'h	sow, pig, swine, snout
solas	solas	sollys	golau	golow	gouloù	light, flame
spiorad	spiorad	spyrryd	ysbryd	sperys, spyrys	spered	soul, life, spirit
sráid	sràid	straid	stryd	stret	straed	street, alley, highway
srón	sròn	stroin	ffroen	frig	froen	nose, nostril
sruth	sruth	stroo	ffrwd	frot*	froud	stream, river, current, valley
stán	staoin, stàin	stainney	ystaen, staen	sten	staen	tin, pewter
suan	suain	saveen	hun	hun	hun	sleep, slumber
suas	suas	seose	uwch	a-ugh	uhel	up(wards), above, over
suigh	suidh	soie	eistedd	esedha, sedha	sichañ	to sit
sú	sùbh	soo	syfi	sevi	sivi	strawberry, berry
sú	sùgh	soo, soolagh	sudd, sug	sugen	soubenn, chug	juice, sap, soup
súil	sùil	sooill	haul	howl	heol	eye, sun
tábla	tàbla	taabyl	tabl	tabel	taol	table, board
tacht	tachd	toghtey	tagu, ystagu	taga	tagañ	to choke
táille	tàille	tailley	tâl, talaith	tal	tailh	fare, fee, tally
taos	taois	teayst	toes	toos	toas, toaz	dough
tarbh	tarbh	tarroo	tarw	tarow	tarv	bull
teach	taigh	thie	tŷ	chi	ti	house
teaghlach	teaghlach	thielagh	teulu	teylu	tiegezh	family, household
teanga	teanga	çhengey	tafod	taves, tavas	teod	language, tongue, tribe, people
teas	teas	çhiass	tes	tes	tes	heat, warmth
tiarna	tighearna	çhiarn	teyrn	tern*	tiern	lord, ruler, king
tine	teine	çhenney	tân	tan	tan	fire, lightning
tír	tìr	çheer	tir	tir	tir	land, country
tiubh	tiugh	çhiu	tew	tew	tev	thick
toll	toll	towl	twll	toll	toull	hollow, empty, hole
tonn	tonn	tonn	ton	ton	tonn	wave, billow
torann, toirneach	torrann, tàirneach	taarnagh	taran	taran	taran	thunder, noise
trá	tràigh	traie	trai	trig	tre, trec'h	beach, ebb, shore
trí	trì	tree	tri (m), tair (f)	tri (m), teyr (f)	tri (m), teir (f)	three
trócaire	tròcair	trocair	trugar, trugaredd	tregeredh	trugar*, trugarez	merciful, pity, thanks
troigh	troigh	trie	troed	troos	troad	foot
trua	truagh	truan, trieh	tru	tru	tru	miserable, wretched, sad
tuath	tuath	theay	tud	tus	tud	tribe, people, territory
tuí	tugha	thoo	to	to	to	roof, thatch
tul	tul	tool	tâl	tal	tal	forehead, brow, head
úll	ubhal	ooyl	afal	aval	aval	apple
uamhan	uabhann	owan	ofn	own	ovn	fear, dread
uamhanach	uabhannach	owanagh	ofnog	ownek	aonik	fearful, dreadful, timid
uan	uan	eayn	oen	oen	oan	lamb
uasal	uasal	ooasle	uchel	ughel	uhel	high, noble
uillinn	uileann	uillin	elin	elin	ilin	elbow

[top]

Celtic cognates

Celtiadur

A collection of Celtic cognates, with definitions, pronunciation, etymologies - includes the modern Celtic languages, older versions of these languages, such as Middle Welsh, Old Irish, and their extinct and reconstructed relatives and ancestors, including Gaulish, Celtiberian, Proto-Brythonic and Proto-Celtic.

On the Celtiadur site you can find out more about the meanings of these words, their pronunciation and etymologies, and related words in older, extinct and reconstructed Celtic languages, such as Middle Welsh, Old Irish, Gaulish and Proto-Celtic.

On the Celtic Pathways podcast I discuss connections between the Celtic languages, and words in other languages with Celtic roots.

Celtic words borrowed from Latin
http://www.old-north.co.uk/Holding/celt_britlatin.html

Proto-Celtic language
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proto-Celtic_language
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Category:Proto-Celtic_language
https://www.wales.ac.uk/Resources/Documents/Research/CelticLanguages/EnglishProtoCelticWordList.pdf (PDF)
https://archive.org/embed/EtymologicalDictionaryOfProtoCeltic

Words of Celtic origin in other languages
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_English_words_of_Celtic_origin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_French_words_of_Gaulish_origin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Galician_words_of_Celtic_origin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Spanish_words_of_Celtic_origin
https://www.uni-trier.de/en/forschung/zat/celtic-studies/celtic-cultures/celtic-words

Geirfa Natur (Nature Glossary) - words for animals, birds, fish and other creatures in the modern Celtic language (Excel format, provided by Gwyn Harrison)

Information about Celtic languages

Breton, Celtiberian, Cornish, Cumbric, Gaulish, Irish, Lepontic, Lusitanian, Manx, Scottish Gaelic, Tartessian, Welsh

[top]

Why not share this page:

If you like this site and find it useful, you can support it by making a donation via PayPal or Patreon, or by contributing in other ways. Omniglot is how I make my living.

Note: all links on this site to Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.fr are affiliate links. This means I earn a commission if you click on any of them and buy something. So by clicking on these links you can help to support this site.

Get a 30-day Free Trial of Amazon Prime (UK)

If you're looking for home or car insurance in the UK, why not try Policy Expert?

[top]

Celtic cognates

Complete Cognates

Celtic cognates

Celtiadur

Links & Sources

Information about Celtic languages