Traveling and exploring new places can be an incredibly enriching experience, especially when you have the ability to communicate in the local language. If you’re planning a trip to Wales, learning some Welsh travel and tourism vocabulary can greatly enhance your visit. Welsh, or “Cymraeg” as it is known in its native tongue, is a beautiful and ancient language with a rich cultural heritage. This article will introduce you to essential Welsh vocabulary that will be helpful for travel and tourism.
Basic Greetings and Phrases
Before diving into specific travel-related terms, it’s important to start with some basic greetings and common phrases. These will help you initiate conversations and show respect for the local culture.
– **Hello**: Helo
– **Goodbye**: Hwyl fawr
– **Please**: Os gwelwch yn dda
– **Thank you**: Diolch
– **Yes**: Ie
– **No**: Na
– **Excuse me**: Esgusodwch fi
– **Do you speak English?**: Wyt ti’n siarad Saesneg?
– **I don’t understand**: Dydw i ddim yn deall
Directions and Transportation
Knowing how to ask for and understand directions is crucial when traveling. Here are some key terms and phrases related to directions and transportation.
Directions
– **Left**: Chwith
– **Right**: De
– **Straight ahead**: Ymlaen
– **Near**: Yn agos
– **Far**: Pell
– **Here**: Yma
– **There**: Yno
Transportation
– **Bus**: Bws
– **Train**: Trên
– **Taxi**: Tacsi
– **Airport**: Maes Awyr
– **Station**: Gorsaf
– **Ticket**: Tocyn
– **Timetable**: Amserlen
– **Bicycle**: Beic
– **Car**: Car
Accommodation
Finding the right place to stay is a big part of any travel experience. These words will help you when booking and staying in various types of accommodations.
– **Hotel**: Gwesty
– **Room**: Ystafell
– **Reservation**: Archeb
– **Check-in**: Gwirio i mewn
– **Check-out**: Gwirio allan
– **Bed and Breakfast**: Gwely a Brecwast
– **Hostel**: Hostal
– **Guest House**: Tŷ Gwesteion
– **Camping**: Gwersylla
– **Campsite**: Safle Gwersylla
Dining and Food
Exploring local cuisine is one of the highlights of travel. Here are some essential words and phrases related to dining and food.
– **Restaurant**: Bwyty
– **Menu**: Bwydlen
– **Breakfast**: Brecwast
– **Lunch**: Cinio
– **Dinner**: Swper
– **Water**: Dŵr
– **Coffee**: Coffi
– **Tea**: Te
– **Beer**: Cwrw
– **Wine**: Gwin
– **Vegetarian**: Llysieuol
– **Bill/Check**: Bil
– **Tip**: Awgrymiad
Shopping
Whether you’re buying souvenirs or necessities, these shopping-related terms will come in handy.
– **Shop**: Siop
– **Market**: Marchnad
– **Supermarket**: Archfarchnad
– **Price**: Pris
– **How much does it cost?**: Faint mae’n gostio?
– **Cheap**: Rhad
– **Expensive**: Drud
– **Cash**: Arian parod
– **Credit Card**: Cerdyn Credyd
– **Receipt**: Derbynneb
– **Bag**: Bag
Emergency and Health
Hopefully, you won’t need these terms, but it’s always good to be prepared for emergencies.
– **Help!**: Helpa!
– **Doctor**: Meddyg
– **Hospital**: Ysbyty
– **Pharmacy**: Fferyllfa
– **Police**: Heddlu
– **Fire**: Tân
– **Accident**: Damwain
– **Emergency**: Argyfwng
– **I need a doctor**: Rwy’n angen meddyg
– **I am sick**: Rwy’n sâl
Attractions and Sightseeing
When visiting tourist attractions and engaging in sightseeing, these words will be useful.
– **Museum**: Amgueddfa
– **Castle**: Castell
– **Church**: Eglwys
– **Beach**: Traeth
– **Mountain**: Mynydd
– **Park**: Parc
– **Tour**: Taith
– **Guide**: Canllaw
– **Map**: Map
– **Ticket office**: Swyddfa Docynnau
Weather
Talking about the weather is a common icebreaker and can also help you plan your daily activities.
– **Weather**: Tywydd
– **Sunny**: Heulog
– **Rainy**: Glawog
– **Windy**: Gwyntog
– **Snowy**: Eiraog
– **Cold**: Oer
– **Hot**: Poeth
– **Warm**: Cynnes
– **Cloudy**: Cymylog
Numbers
Understanding numbers is essential for various aspects of travel, from telling time to understanding prices. Here are the Welsh numbers from one to ten:
– **One**: Un
– **Two**: Dau
– **Three**: Tri
– **Four**: Pedwar
– **Five**: Pump
– **Six**: Chwech
– **Seven**: Saith
– **Eight**: Wyth
– **Nine**: Naw
– **Ten**: Deg
Days of the Week
Knowing the days of the week can help you with scheduling and understanding timetables.
– **Monday**: Dydd Llun
– **Tuesday**: Dydd Mawrth
– **Wednesday**: Dydd Mercher
– **Thursday**: Dydd Iau
– **Friday**: Dydd Gwener
– **Saturday**: Dydd Sadwrn
– **Sunday**: Dydd Sul
Months of the Year
Similarly, knowing the months can help you understand dates and plan your travel itinerary.
– **January**: Ionawr
– **February**: Chwefror
– **March**: Mawrth
– **April**: Ebrill
– **May**: Mai
– **June**: Mehefin
– **July**: Gorffennaf
– **August**: Awst
– **September**: Medi
– **October**: Hydref
– **November**: Tachwedd
– **December**: Rhagfyr
Practical Phrases for Tourists
Here are some additional practical phrases that can be useful during your travels in Wales.
– **Where is the nearest…**: Ble mae’r… agosaf?
– **I would like…**: Hoffwn i…
– **How do I get to…?**: Sut mae cyrraedd…?
– **Can I have the bill, please?**: Ga i’r bil, os gwelwch yn dda?
– **I am lost**: Rwy wedi colli
– **What time is it?**: Faint o’r gloch ydy hi?
Engaging with Locals
One of the best parts of traveling is meeting new people. Here are some phrases that can help you engage with locals and make new friends.
– **What is your name?**: Beth yw eich enw chi?
– **My name is…**: Fy enw i yw…
– **Where are you from?**: O ble wyt ti’n dod?
– **I am from…**: Rwy’n dod o…
– **Nice to meet you**: Braf cwrdd â chi
– **How are you?**: Sut wyt ti?
– **I am well, thank you**: Rwy’n dda, diolch
Conclusion
Learning Welsh travel and tourism vocabulary can greatly enhance your experience in Wales. While many people in Wales do speak English, making an effort to speak Welsh can open doors and create more meaningful interactions with locals. This vocabulary guide provides a solid foundation for basic communication, directions, accommodation, dining, shopping, emergencies, and more. Practice these words and phrases before your trip, and don’t be afraid to use them during your travels. Your effort will be appreciated and can lead to a richer, more immersive travel experience. Hwyl fawr a phob lwc! (Goodbye and good luck!)