You would think that people in Wales speak the Welsh language or English, but we also have our own language Wenglish. We add Welsh words to English sentences or use words to give them an entirely different meaning. There are also Welsh slang terms and phrases you will only hear in Wales. I guarantee all words and sayings you are about to read are real.
Beautiful Welsh Sayings
Welsh is a Celtic language native to the Welsh people. The Welsh term for the language, Cymraeg, descends from the Brythonic word combrogi, meaning “compatriots” or “fellow countrymen”. Welsh is spoken natively in Wales, by some in England, and in Y Wladfa – the Welsh colony in Chubut Province in Argentina.
Things only the Welsh Say
So, let’s get into it. Here are some popular Welsh words phrases, Welsh phrases, Welsh quotes, Welsh swear words, funny Welsh slang words and funny Welsh sayings.
Lush
Probably the most famous saying in Wales is lush. It can describe a person, place, product or food. It’s your nan’s food, when a friend gets a promotion, a person you fancy, or someone says or does something nice. Lush is a Welsh term of endearment.
Cwtch
Actually, maybe this is the most famous Welsh saying? Pronounced ‘cutch’, like clutch without the ‘l’. The word cwtch is closest to the English equivalents’ ‘cuddle’, ‘snuggle’ and ‘hug’. However, it has a deeper meaning for the Welsh. Anyone can cuddle, but only the Welsh can cwtch.
Alri?
So, Alri, pronounced ‘or-i’, is a greeting and a question at the same time. “Alri, how’s it going, alri?” It’s how you answer the phone to a friend or when you pass those you know in the street. It’s also how you shorten alright in the middle of the conversation, “Alri, I’ll see you there”.
Where you to?
I did not realise this is one of the most confusing things Welsh people say. When saying, ‘where you to?‘ or the alternative, ‘where you to now?’, we are actually asking, ‘where are you?’.
Where we to?
Saying ‘where we to?‘ is the alternative to ‘where are we?‘. It is generally said when out and about to gather your bearings or asking your friends in the pub so you can direct others to find you. It is also used in a high-pitched voice when talking to dogs and children.
Now in a minute
Anytime you hear the Welsh phrase “I’ll be there now in a minute” or “I’m leaving now in a minute” or “I’ll do that now in a minute”, it’s like second nature to people in Wales. It means ‘I’m on my way’, ‘I’m about to leave’, ‘I’m doing it’, or ‘I’m doing it soon’.
I am
People in Wales love telling people what they are doing, ending the sentence with ‘I am’. Don’t be alarmed; it’s actually a normal way for us to talk. For example, “I’m going to the pub, I am”, or “I’m starving, I am“. It’s just a way of re-iterating what is going on.
It Is
Very similar to ‘I am’, ‘it is’ is a different way to explain what is going on in a conversation. “It’s raining, it is”, or “That’s lush, that is”.
What It Is
Another Welsh phrase you’ll definitely hear in Wales is starting our sentence with “What it is”. We use this when we are about to explain something or to introduce a strong opinion.
I’m not being funny
Many people in Wales start our conversations with “I’m not being funny”. It’s a sentence we use that introduces a critical opinion. It emphasises that what we’re about to say is serious and not to be laughed at.
Thanks, Drive
Of all the phrases you hear in Wales, “Thanks, drive” is in our DNA. Anyone who drives a bus or a taxi is called ‘drive’, and no self-respecting Welsh person would get off the bus or out of the car without saying ‘thanks, drive.’ “Busy night, drive?” can also be heard in South Wales at 2am to taxi drivers dropping folk at their house.
Ach-Y-Fi
Ach-y-fi is pronounced as ‘ak-uh-vee’. It is said to children when they go to touch something dirty or put something in their mouth. This is also sometimes just shortened to ‘achi’. “That’s achi, that is.”
Hanging
Hanging is feeling rubbish. It is usually used the day after a night out. “I’m hanging; got in at 3am.”
Crackin’
You say crackin’ when something is brilliant, “That’s crackin’ that is”.
Half and Half
When you’re going for a curry or Chinese, you can get chips, rice or half and half – which is half chips, half rice. Crackin’
Pop
A fizzy drink is pop. Think Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Dr Pepper, Lilt, etc. So, if a friend asks you what you want to drink, you would answer, “Can I have a pop, please?”
Jip
Jip means you are in pain or uncomfortable. If you hurt yourself playing rugby last week (that’s right, we all have a run around on the weekend!), you would say, “my ankle’s been giving me some jip”.
Scram
A scram is how the Welsh say they have been scratched. “Look at my arm; the cat scrammed me.”
Aka you
Generally, when we say “aka you,” we add jest or triumph to someone else’s words. “I’ve won an award at school.” “Aka you, how’d you manage that?” It can also be used sarcastically.
Twp
You will be called twp if you are a bit stupid, foolish or daft. Emphasise it by using it over and over again.
That’s buzzing
If you come across something smelly and horrible, you would say, “that’s buzzing”.
Nobbling
When you’re nobbling, you are feeling cold. It can also be nobbling outside when the weather is freezing.
Chopsy
Someone who is chopsy is a cheeky person, but not in a cute or funny way. You can also be asked to “stop chopsing” when you talk too much or are being too loud.
Tamping
When you are tamping, you are mad. When you are outraged, you would say, “I’m tamping, fuming, raging, I am.”
Heaving
Heaving is how you describe a busy place. “I’m tamping; the pub is heaving, and I can’t get a seat.”
Do you know what I mean, tho?
Adding “Do you know what I mean, though?” to the end of a conversation emphasises your previous sentence’s importance. It is also used at the end of the night when you’ve had too many drinks, “I love you, mate. Do you know what I mean, tho?”.
I’m only saying
If you have a conversation and start or end with, “I’m only saying,” it is your way of sharing an opinion where you don’t mean to cause any offence.
Tidy
Tidy is a way of saying something is great or all good. “How are you?” “Tidy, thanks.” Or, “What did you think of the game?” “They played tidy.”
Never
If you want to express your disbelief in response to information, you would say “Never”. It can also be used sarcastically if you are stating the obvious.
Dwt
A dwt is someone or something small. “Sarah’s so dwtty.”
Butt
A butt or butty is a friend. “Alri butt, how are you, alri?
Boyo
A boyo is your male friend. “Alri boyo?”
If you want a crackin’ gift for the boyo in your life, then Amazon voucher codes can help you find fun Welsh-saying gifts, from cute mugs to quirky signs. For your confused friend who doesn’t know his Alri from his Ach-Y-Fi, you can save on Welsh slang dictionaries, too!
Mush
Mush is also a friend, “Alri mush?”
Mun
Again, mun is a friend, but it tends to be used as encouragement. “Come on, mun, let’s have another pint.”
Yur
This is where it can get confusing for non-locals. The word yur can mean ear, a year or here. “I’ve hurt my yur.” “What yur is it?” “Come yur!”
Good boy or Good girl
Being called a good boy or good girl does not mean you have been well-behaved; in fact, it is the opposite. “Come yur good boy, and I’ll give you what for!”
Bard
Bard means you aren’t feeling your best. “I’m feeling poorly, bard, I am.”
Alright or what?
You use alright or what when you greet a friend. It is another way of saying hello.
Daps
Initially, daps were black plimsoll shoes you wore in gym class in primary school. Now daps can be any pair of trainers.
Oh, what’s occurring?
You use what’s occurring as a greeting or to find out what’s going on.
Things only the Welsh say | Pethau dim ond y Cymry sy’n ei ddweud
Have you heard any new phrases from Wales? Will you be adding any of them to your lingo?
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Also, “Who’s coat is this jacket?” It’s picking to rain, when it starts raining. It’s hammering down, when it’s raining a lot. Thanks for article. Diolch.
Diolch – that’s not on the list!
I was born in 1940 in the Valleys always used to say ‘I fell it’ if I dropped something.
Lush has always been a common word in the North East of England, used in exactly the same context.
Can I add in “There we are then” as a way of shutting down a conversation that you don’t agree with…generally a snide way of calling the person you don’t agree with what the first letters of each word spells…😬
Yes! I do this all the time
I thought cwtch was pronounced more like cootsh than cutch, but with a hint of the w before the t.
Your suggestion of cootsh is better, though I would say that to nail it you pronounce the oo as in book or cook (sadly this doesn’t work if you are Geordie)
I’m the only taff out of a huge family of Gordie’s.
conversations are interesting after a few pints..
Very interesting when visiting Durham.
One habit is to say “isn’t it` at the end of a sentence.
My wife is a Northerner through and through. Sheffielders also uses the word pop. My Grandfather, growing up in Hereford also uses the term pop for a fizzy drink. Interesting.