Learning idioms in a new language can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of language acquisition. Idioms often reveal the unique cultural and historical contexts of a language, and Welsh is no exception. This article will explore some common Welsh idioms, their meanings, and how to use them in conversation. Understanding these idioms will not only deepen your appreciation for the Welsh language but also make your speech sound more natural and native-like.
1. “Mae’n bwrw hen wragedd a ffyn” – It’s raining old women and sticks
One of the most colorful Welsh idioms, “Mae’n bwrw hen wragedd a ffyn” translates directly to “It’s raining old women and sticks.” This idiom is the Welsh equivalent of the English saying “It’s raining cats and dogs.” It’s used to describe particularly heavy rainfall.
Usage:
Imagine you’re looking out the window at a torrential downpour. You could say, “Mae’n bwrw hen wragedd a ffyn heddiw!” which means, “It’s raining old women and sticks today!”
2. “Cwympo fel dail yn yr hydref” – Falling like leaves in the autumn
This idiom paints a vivid picture of something happening in large quantities or rapidly, similar to leaves falling from trees during autumn.
Usage:
If you were talking about a lot of people leaving a party early, you might say, “Maen nhw’n cwympo fel dail yn yr hydref,” which means, “They are leaving like leaves in the autumn.”
3. “Canu dan y don” – Singing under the wave
“Canu dan y don” directly translates to “singing under the wave,” and it’s used to describe someone who is talking nonsense or saying things that don’t make sense.
Usage:
If someone is making wild or illogical statements, you could say, “Mae e’n canu dan y don,” meaning, “He is singing under the wave.”
4. “A dros ben llestri” – Over the dishes
This idiom, which translates to “over the dishes,” is used to describe someone going overboard or being overly dramatic.
Usage:
If someone is overreacting to a situation, you might say, “Mae hi’n mynd dros ben llestri,” which means, “She is going over the dishes.”
5. “Ar ben ei ddigon” – On top of his enough
“Ar ben ei ddigon” translates to “on top of his enough” and is used to describe someone who is very happy or content.
Usage:
If someone is visibly happy, you could say, “Mae e ar ben ei ddigon,” meaning, “He is on top of his enough.”
6. “Codi pais ar ôl piso” – Lifting the petticoat after urinating
This idiom translates to “lifting the petticoat after urinating” and is used to describe someone who is doing something too late, akin to the English idiom “closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.”
Usage:
If someone is trying to fix a problem after it’s too late, you might say, “Mae hi’n codi pais ar ôl piso,” which means, “She is lifting the petticoat after urinating.”
7. “Taflu carreg ar ôl rhywun” – Throwing a stone after someone
“Taflu carreg ar ôl rhywun” translates to “throwing a stone after someone” and is used to describe actions that are pointless or in vain.
Usage:
If someone is trying to change something that cannot be changed, you might say, “Mae e’n taflu carreg ar ôl rhywun,” meaning, “He is throwing a stone after someone.”
8. “Cael ei ddal yn y glaw” – Caught in the rain
This idiom translates directly as “caught in the rain” and is used to describe someone being caught unprepared.
Usage:
If someone is caught off guard by a situation, you could say, “Mae hi wedi cael ei dal yn y glaw,” meaning, “She has been caught in the rain.”
9. “Mae’r ffair yn dechrau” – The fair is starting
“Mae’r ffair yn dechrau” translates to “the fair is starting” and is used to describe the beginning of an event or when things are about to get exciting or busy.
Usage:
If a meeting is about to start and you expect it to be lively, you might say, “Mae’r ffair yn dechrau,” meaning, “The fair is starting.”
10. “Chwarae teg” – Fair play
“Chwarae teg” translates to “fair play” and is used similarly to the English phrase to commend fairness or just actions.
Usage:
If someone does something commendable or fair, you can say, “Chwarae teg i ti,” meaning, “Fair play to you.”
11. “Gadael i’r gath allan o’r cwd” – Let the cat out of the bag
This idiom translates directly to “let the cat out of the bag,” meaning to reveal a secret or disclose something that was meant to be kept hidden.
Usage:
If someone reveals a secret, you might say, “Mae e wedi gadael i’r gath allan o’r cwd,” which means, “He has let the cat out of the bag.”
12. “Cael ei ddal yn y fan a’r lle” – Caught in the spot
This translates to “caught in the spot” and is used to describe someone being caught red-handed or in the act.
Usage:
If someone is caught doing something they shouldn’t, you might say, “Mae hi wedi cael ei ddal yn y fan a’r lle,” meaning, “She has been caught in the spot.”
13. “Dw i’n gweld coch” – I see red
“Dw i’n gweld coch” translates to “I see red” and is used to describe someone who is very angry, similar to the English idiom “seeing red.”
Usage:
If someone is very angry, you could say, “Dw i’n gweld coch,” meaning, “I see red.”
14. “Tynnu coes” – Pulling a leg
This idiom translates to “pulling a leg” and is used to describe someone who is joking or teasing, akin to the English “pulling your leg.”
Usage:
If someone is joking with you, you might say, “Wyt ti’n tynnu coes?” meaning, “Are you pulling my leg?”
15. “Gwylio’r byd yn mynd heibio” – Watching the world go by
“Gwylio’r byd yn mynd heibio” translates to “watching the world go by” and is used to describe someone who is relaxing and observing life around them.
Usage:
If you’re sitting in a park and enjoying the surroundings, you could say, “Dw i’n gwylio’r byd yn mynd heibio,” meaning, “I am watching the world go by.”
16. “Rhoi’r ffidil yn y tô” – Putting the fiddle in the roof
This idiom translates to “putting the fiddle in the roof” and means to give up or quit, similar to the English “throw in the towel.”
Usage:
If someone decides to give up on a difficult task, you might say, “Mae e wedi rhoi’r ffidil yn y tô,” meaning, “He has put the fiddle in the roof.”
17. “Rhoi y gorau glas” – Giving the blue best
“Rhoi y gorau glas” translates to “giving the blue best” and is used to mean giving someone your very best effort or something of the highest quality.
Usage:
If you are giving your best effort at work, you could say, “Dw i’n rhoi y gorau glas,” meaning, “I am giving the blue best.”
18. “Gwneud môr a mynydd” – Making a sea and a mountain
This idiom translates to “making a sea and a mountain” and is used to describe someone who is exaggerating a problem, akin to the English “making a mountain out of a molehill.”
Usage:
If someone is overreacting to a minor issue, you might say, “Mae hi’n gwneud môr a mynydd,” meaning, “She is making a sea and a mountain.”
19. “A daeth y diawl i’w fwyta” – And the devil came to eat him
“A daeth y diawl i’w fwyta” translates to “and the devil came to eat him” and is used to describe someone facing the consequences of their actions.
Usage:
If someone gets into trouble because of their own actions, you could say, “A daeth y diawl i’w fwyta,” meaning, “And the devil came to eat him.”
20. “I’r pant y rhed y dŵr” – To the hollow runs the water
This idiom translates to “to the hollow runs the water” and means that things naturally go where they are most needed or suited.
Usage:
If a situation resolves itself naturally, you might say, “I’r pant y rhed y dŵr,” meaning, “To the hollow runs the water.”
Conclusion
Welsh idioms offer a fascinating glimpse into the cultural and linguistic richness of the Welsh language. By learning and using these idioms, you can not only enhance your language skills but also connect more deeply with the Welsh way of thinking and expression. Whether you are describing the weather, expressing contentment, or commenting on someone’s actions, these idioms will add color and authenticity to your Welsh conversations. So, dive in, practice these idioms, and watch as your understanding and appreciation of the Welsh language flourish!
