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).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ab | aba, abaid | abb | âb, abad | abas | abad | abbot |
| abar | abar, obar | aber | aber | aber | aber | estuary, river mouth |
| abhainn | abhainn | awin | afon | avon | aven | river |
| aer, aidhéar | adhar | aer | awyr | ayr | aer | air, sky |
| agus | agus | as | agos | ogas | hogos | and, near, almost |
| aice | aice | faare | ach | agh | agom† | nearness, proximity, lineage, offspring |
| ailt | alt | alt | allt | als | aod | hillock, hill(side), cliff, coast |
| aimsir | aimsir | emshir | amser | amser | amzer | time, weather |
| 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 |
| aiteann | ait, atain, aiteann | aittin | eithin | eythinen | ethin† | furze, gorse, whin |
| ais | aiseal | essyl | echel | ahgel | ahel | axle, axis |
| altra | altrach | boandyr | athro, alltraw | alltrow | aotroù | foster-father, nurse, teacher, lord |
| amhlabharach | amhlabhair† | amloayrtagh | aflafar | amlavar | amlavar | mute, dumb, inarticulate |
| 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 |
| ár | àr | haar | aer | ar†, hâr† | aer | slaughter, battle |
| arathar | àrach† | erroo | aradr | arader | arar | plough, ploughman |
| ard | àrd | ard | ardd | ardh | arz | high |
| aréir | a-raoir | riyr | neithiwr | nyhewer | neizheur | last night |
| asal | asal | assyl | asyn | asen | azen | donkey, ass |
| aspal | abstol, ostal, easbal | ostyl | abost(o)l | abostel | abostol | apostle |
| ascaill | asgall | aghlish, oghlish | asgell | askel | askell | wing, fin, armpit |
| bac | bac | bac | bach | bagh | bac'h | hook, mattock, hindrance |
| bainne | bainne, boinne | bainney | ban† | banna | banne | milk, drop |
| bairín | bairín | berreen | bara | bara | bara | bread, loaf, cake |
| bairneach | bàirneach | bayrnag | brennig | brennik | brennig | barnacle, limpet(s) |
| 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 |
| beannacht | beannachd | bannaght | bendith | bennath | bennozh | blessing, benediction |
| bearr | beàrr | baarey | byr | berr | berr | short, to cut |
| beatha | beatha | beaghey | bywyd | bewnans | buhez | life |
| beir | beir | behr | beru | perthi | berañ | to bear, to produce, to flow |
| 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 |
| binse | being | bink | bainc | bynk | menk | bench |
| biolar | biolair | burley | berwr, berw | beler(en) | beler | cress, watercress |
| bior | bior | birr, byr | bêr | ber† | ber | point, thorn, spear |
| 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 |
| blaosc, plaosc | plaosg | bleayst | plisg(en) | plisk(en) | plusk(enn) | shell(s), husk(s) |
| 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 |
| braich | braich | bry | brag | brag | bragez | malt, grain |
| brath | brath | brah | brad | bras | barad | betray(al), treachery, conspiracy, deception |
| 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 |
| broim | braim | breim | bram | bramm | bramm | fart, flatulence, raspberry |
| 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 |
| buí | buidhe | booise | bodd | bodh | boz | thanks, gratitude, (good)will |
| buidéal | buideal, botal | boteil | potel | botel | boutailh | bottle |
| buime | muime | mimmey | mam | mamm | mamm | mother, stepmother, nurse |
| bun | bun | bun | bôn | ben | ben | base, foundation |
| cac | cac | keck | cach | kawgh | kaoc'h | cack, shit, crap |
| 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 |
| cárta | cairt | kaart, caart | card(en), cerdyn, cardyn | karten | kartenn | card |
| carr | càr | carr | car | karr(ik) | 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 |
| cath | cath | cah | cad | kas | kad | battle |
| céad | ceud | keead | cant | kans | kant | hundred |
| ceann | ceann | kione | pen | penn | penn | head |
| ceap | ceap | kiap | cyff | kyf | kef | stock, block, trunk, log |
| 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 |
| cíoch | cìoch | keeagh | cig | kig | kig | breast, meat, flesh |
| ciorcal | cearcall | kiarkyl | cylch | kelgh, kylgh | klec'h | circle, ring |
| cladh, clais | cladh, clais | clash | cladd, clais, clawdd | kleudh | kleuz | ditch, groove, trench |
| claíomh | claidheamh | cliwe | cleddyf | kledha | kleze(n) | sword |
| 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 |
| clupaid | crùbag, criopag | craplag | cylched | kolghes | golc'hed | fold, wrinkle, coverlet, duvet |
| cnó | cnò | cro | cnau | know | kraoñ | nut |
| cnoc | cnoc | cronk | cnwc | krug | krec’h | hill, mount, mound, breast |
| 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 |
| coire | coire | coirrey | pair | per† | per | cauldron, kettle, boiler |
| colg | colg | caulg | col(a), coly | kolgh | kolc'h | sword, bristle, prickle, awn, spike |
| 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 |
| corda | còrd | coard, coyrd(ey) | cord | korden | kordenn | cord, string, rope |
| corim | curim | cuirrey | cwrw | korev | korev | beer, feast, banquet |
| corp | corp | corp | corff | korf | korf | body |
| 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 |
| croí | cridhe | cree | craidd | kres | kreiz | heart, centre |
| cruach | cruach | creagh | crug | krug | cruc | hillock, heap, mound, pile |
| cruimh | cnuimh | crooag | pryf | pryv, prev | preñv | worm, maggot, insect |
| cruinn | cruinn | cruinn | crwn | krenn, kern | krenn | round |
| cú | cù | coo | ci | ki | ki | dog, hound |
| cúig | cóig | queig | pump | pymp | pemp | five |
| cúl | cùl | cooyl | cil | kil | kil | back, corner |
| cuid | cuid | cooid | peth | pyth, peth | pezh | part, portion, thing, piece |
| cuileann | cuileann | cullyn | celyn(en) | kelyn(nen) | kelen(enn) | holly |
| cuing | cuing | quing | iau | yew | yev | yoke |
| cumaisc | coimeasg | covestey | cymysg | kemmysk | kemmesk | mix(ture), tumult, blend(ed) |
| 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 |
| deoir | deòr, deur | jeir | deigryn, deigr | dagren | daer | tear, drop |
| dia | dia | jee | duw | duw | doue | god, deity |
| dia | die | je/jy | dydd | dydh | deiz | day |
| diaidh | dèidh | jei | diwedd | diwedh | diwezh | end, after |
| diúc | diùc | duic | dug | duk | duk | duke |
| dligh | dligh, dleas | toill | dylu | tyli | dlead, dlean | to be entitled to, to owe, to deserve |
| 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 |
| dóigh | dòth | daah | deifio | dewi | deviñ | to burn |
| domahain | domhain | dowin | dwfn | down | don | deep, profound |
| doras | doras | dorrys | drws dôr |
daras | dor | door |
| 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 |
| easpag | easbaig | aspick | esgob | epskop | eskob | bishop |
| eidheann | eidheann | hibbin | eiddew | idhyow | iliav | ivy |
| eile | eile | elley | ail | eyl | eil | other, second |
| eireog | eireag | earrag | iar | yar | yar | hen, chicken |
| eiscir | aisgeir | sker | esgair | escher† | esker | ridge, crag, spur |
| eite | ite | fedjag | adain | aden† | attanoc† | wing, fin, feather |
| eó | eo | iodh | yw | ewin | iwin, ivin | yew |
| fabhra abhra |
fabhra abhra |
ferroogh | amrant | abrans | abrant | eyelid, eyelash, eyebrow |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| fearsaid | fearsad, feairisid | fes | gwerthyd | gwerthys | gwerzhid | spindle, axis, axle |
| féile | fèil | feaill, feailley | gŵyl | gool | gouel | feast, festival |
| feis | fèis | feish | gwest | gwester | guest† | festival, entertainment, guest |
| féith | fèith | feh | gwyth | gooth | gwazh | sinew, muscle, vein, channel, stream |
| 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 |
| fíon | fìon | feeyn | gwin | gwin | gwin | wine |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| galar | galar | gorley | galar | galar | glacʼhar | sickness, disease, grief |
| 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 |
| gin | gin | gientyn | geni | genys | genel | to be born, to beget, birth |
| glan | glan | glen | glân | glan | glan | clean, clear |
| glao | glaodh | gyllagh | galw | galow | galv | (to) shout, (to) call, appeal |
| glas | glas | glass | glas | glas | glas | blue, green, grey |
| gleann | gleann | glion(e) | glyn | glynn glydn |
glen | glen, hollow, valley |
| glóir | glòir | gloyr | gloria | glori | gloar | glory |
| glúin | glùin | glioon | glin | glyn | glinn | knee |
| goin | goin | guinney | gwanu | gwana | gwanañ | to wound, stab |
| gorm | gorm | gorrym | gwrm† | gorm, (brown) | uurm†, (dark) | blue, black |
| grán, gráinne | gràn | grine | grawn | greun | greun | grain |
| 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 |
| idir | eadar | eddyr | ythr† | ynter, yntra | etre | between |
| ím | ìm | eem | (y)menyn | amanyn | amanenn, amann, amonenn | butter |
| inga | ionga | ingin | ewin | ewin | ivin | nail, claw, talon, hoof |
| ingneach | iongach | inginagh | ewinog | ewinoc† | ivinek | nailed, clawed, taloned, hoofed |
| 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 |
| lathach | lathach | lathar, laagh | llaid | leys | lec'hid | mud, mire, swamp |
| 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 |
| learóg | learag làrag |
lhiarrag larsh |
lars llar(s)wydd |
larwedhen | melez | larch (tree) |
| leath | leth | lieh | lled | les | led | half, breadth, width |
| leathan | leathann | lhean | llydan | ledan | ledan | wide, broad |
| leathar | leathar | l(h)iare | lledr | ledher | lêr | leather, hide, skin |
| lí | lì | lhee | lliw | lyw | liv | colour, hue, pigment |
| 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 |
| lomhain | lomhainn | louyn | llyfan | lovan | louan | rope, lead, string, strap |
| loch | loch | logh | llwch | logh | loc'h | lake, pond, inlet |
| loisc, loscadh | loisg, losgadh | losht, lostey | llosgi | leski | leskiñ, loskañ | to burn |
| luan | luan | lune | llun | lun | lun | Monday, moon |
| 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 |
| máistir | maigh(i)stir | mainshtyr | meistr | mester | mestr | master |
| maith | math | mie | mad† | mas† | mat/mad | good |
| manach | manach | maynagh, monnagh | mynach | managh | manac'h | monk |
| maoin | maoin | mayn | mwyn | muin | maon | gift, gentle, thin |
| maol | maol | meayl | moel | mool | moal | bald, bare |
| maor | maor | meoir | maer | maynor | merour | steward, agent, baliff |
| 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 |
| marcach | marcach | markiagh | marchog | marghek | marc'heg | horseman, rider, jockey |
| máthair | màthair | moir | modryb | modrep | moereb | mother, aunt |
| meá | meadh | medd(agh) | medd | medh | mez | mead |
| meann | meann | mannan | myn | min | menn | kid goat |
| méara | mèar | meoir | maer(es) | mer(es) | maer(ez) | mayor(ess) |
| meas | meas | mess | mes | mes | mez | (tree) fruit, nut, acorn(s) |
| measc | measg | mastey mestey |
mysg | mysk | mesk | jumble, mix(ture), among(st), midst |
| méid | meud | mooad | maint | myns | ment | size, amount, quantity |
| meil | meil | beihll | malu | mala | malañ | to grind, to crush, to chew |
| 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 |
| mogall | mogal | moggyl | magl | maglen | maclou† | mesh, husk, snare, trap |
| 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 |
| muileann | muileann | mwyllin | melin | melin, belin | milin, melin | mill, factory |
| 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 |
| neart | neart | niart | nerth | nerth | nerzh | strength, might, power, force |
| 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 |
| oíche | oidhche | oie | echwydd | ewhe† | ec'hoaz | night, evening |
| oifig | oifig | offish, oik | offis | offis | ofis | office |
| olann | olann | ollan | gwlân | gwlan | glaon | wool |
| onóir | onoir | onnor, honor | anawr | onour, enor | enor | honour |
| 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 |
| pluma | plumais, plùmbais | plumbis | plemysen | ploumen | prunenn | plum |
| pobal | poball | pobble | pobl | pobel | pobl | people, family |
| póg | pòg | paag | pocyn | poccuil† | pok | kiss |
| port | port | purt | porth | porth | porzh | harbour, port, landing place |
| raithneach | raineach | renniagh | rhedyn | reden | raden | fern, bracken |
| rámh | ràmh | raue | rhaw | reuv | roev | oar, paddle, shovel, spade |
| rann, roinn | rann, roinn | rheynn | rhan | radn | rann | division, part |
| rath | rath | raah, rah | rhad | ras | rat | grace, virtue |
| reacht | reachd | — | rhaith | reyth | reizh | law, decree, regular, right |
| reo | reòth | rio | rhew | rew | rev | frost, ice |
| rí | rìgh | ree | rhi | riel | ri† | king, royal |
| riail | riaghail | reill | rheol | rewl | reol | (to) rule, to govern, regulation |
| 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 |
| samhail | samhail | soyl | hafal | haval | hañvalat | likeness, model, similarity |
| samhradh | samhradh | sourey | haf | haf | hañv | summer |
| scafa | sgiof, sgoth, sgib | skiff | (y)sgraff | skath | skof | boat, skiff |
| scamhóg | sgamhan | scowan | ysgefaint | skevens | skevent | lung(s) |
| scioból | sgiobal | skibbalt | ysgubor | skiber | skiber | barn |
| scoil | sgoil | scoill | ysgol | skol | skol | school |
| scoláire | sgoilear | schoillar | (y)sgolor | skoler | skolaer | scholar, pupil, student |
| 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 |
| sean | sean | shenn | hen | hen | hen | old |
| séan | seun | sheean | swyn | sona | saouzan | sign, charm, spell, stupor |
| searbh | searbh | sharroo | chwerw | hwerow | c'hwerv | bitter, sour |
| 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 |
| siabhainn†, síobán | siabhann | sheeabin | sebon | sebon | soavon | soap, drift |
| sin | sin | shen | hwn, hon, hyn | henn | henn† | that, this |
| síol | sìol | sheel | hil | hil | hil | seed |
| síor | sìor | sheer | hir | hir | hir | long, constant, eternal |
| 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 |
| snáthaid | snàthad | snaid | nodwydd | naswydh, najedh | nadoez | needle, pin |
| sníomh | snìomh | sneeu | nyddu | nedha | nezañ | to spin, to twist |
| soc | soc | sock | hwch | hogh | ho(u)c'h | sow, pig, swine, snout |
| solas | solas | sollys | golau | golow | gouloù | light, flame |
| son | sòn† | sonn | sŵn, sôn | son | son | sound, noise |
| spiorad | spiorad | spyrryd | ysbryd | sperys, spyrys | spered | soul, life, spirit |
| sráid | sràid | straid | stryd | stret | straed | street, alley, highway |
| srath | srath | strah | ystrad | stras | strad | (flat) valley, strath, bottom |
| srón | sròn | stroin | ffroen | frig | froen | nose, nostril |
| sruth | sruth | stroo | ffrwd | fros | froud | stream, river, current, valley |
| stábla | stàball | stabyl | ystafell | stevel | staul† | stable, room |
| 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 |
| súiche | sùith | sooie | huddygl | hudhgyel | huzil | soot |
| 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 |
| tanaí | tana | thanney | tenau | tanaw | tanav | thin, slender |
| taos | taois | teayst | toes | toos | toas, toaz | dough |
| tar | thar | har(rish) | tra | dres | tra | over, across, beyond |
| tarathar | tora, torachair | tarrar | taradr | tarder | tarar | augur, drill |
| 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 |
| teillén | teilinn† | tellyn | telyn | telyn | telenn | harp |
| 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 |
| traein | trèan | trean | trên | tren | tren, trên | train |
| tréan, treise | trèine, treise, treun | trean | trych | trygh | trec'h | strong(er), might, brave, conquest, superior |
| trí | tre | trooid | trwy | dre | dre | through, over, across |
| 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 |
| uaimh | uaimh | oghe, ooig | (g)ogof | gogow | gougoñ | cave |
| 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 |
| umhal | umhal | imlee | ufyl, hyful | uvel | uvel | humble, meek, submissive |
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Complete Cognates, Partial Cognates . Cognates arranged thematically: Adjectives | Animals | Birds | Clothes | Colours | Conjunctions | Countries | Directions | Food and Drink | Landscape | Buildings | Languages | Metals | Musical terms | Numbers | Parts of the body | People | Pronouns | Prepositions | Sea creatures | Time expressions | Trees and Plants | Verbs | Weather | Tools | Vehicles | Other words | Names
The Celtiadur blog is a collection of Celtic cognates, with definitions, pronunciation, etymologies - includes the modern Celtic languages, older versions of these languages, such as Middle Welsh, Middle Breton and Old Irish, and their extinct and reconstructed relatives and ancestors, including Gaulish, Proto-Brythonic and Proto-Celtic.
On the Celtic Pathways podcast I discuss connections between the Celtic languages, and look for words with Celtic roots in non-Celtic languages, such as English, French, Spanish, Galician and Portuguese.
Dictionaries of Celtic languages
http://www.faclair.com/
http://www.ceantar.org/Dicts/MB2/
http://www.mannin.info/Mannin/fockleyr/m2e.php
https://www.teanglann.ie/en/fgb/ceann
http://dil.ie/
http://geiriadur.ac.uk/gpc/gpc.html
http://www.cornishdictionary.org.uk
http://www.arkaevraz.net/dicobzh/
http://www.brezhoneg.bzh/87-termofis.htm
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 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)
Breton, Celtiberian, Cornish, Cumbric, Gaulish, Irish, Lepontic, Lusitanian, Manx, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh
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