Language/Welsh/Vocabulary/Express-Surprise
Hi Welsh learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to express surprise in Welsh. Surprise is a universal emotion that we all experience, and it is essential to know how to express it in any language. In addition to the new words, we will also provide you with some cultural information and interesting facts. So let's get started!
Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Sizes & How to Say Hello and Greetings.
Basic Vocabulary[edit | edit source]
Here are some Welsh words and expressions that we use to express surprise:
| Welsh | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Gwae fi! | /ɡwaɪ vi/ | Poor me! |
| Mae'n syfrdanol! | /maɪn səvrˈdanɔl/ | It is astonishing! |
| Beth? Sut? Pam? | /bɛθ? sɪt? pam?/ | What? How? Why? |
| Na waeth! | /na wai̯θ/ | Never mind! |
| Nid yw hyn yn digwydd yn aml | /nɪd ɪu̯ hɨn ən dɪɡwɪð ən am̥l/ | This doesn't happen often. |
Examples[edit | edit source]
To give you an idea of how to use these expressions in context, here is an example dialogue.
- Person 1: Gwae fi! Nawr, mae'r llyfr wedi mynd ar goll. (/Poor me! Now the book is lost.)
- Person 2: Beth? Sut? Pam? (/What? How? Why?)
- Person 1: Na waeth! Rwyf wedi byw'n ddigon hir i wybod nad ydych chi'n helpu. (/Never mind! I've lived long enough to know that you're not helping.)
Cultural Information[edit | edit source]
Welsh culture has a rich history and traditions, which are still celebrated today. Here are some facts related to the Welsh culture and expressions of surprise:
- The most popular sport in Wales is rugby. The Welsh Rugby Union was founded in 1881, and the national team is known as the Welsh Dragons. You might hear expressions of surprise during a rugby game, such as "Mae'n dda iawn! (It's very good!)" or "Gwaith da! (Good work!)" Where Welsh is spoken, there are a lot of idioms, such as "Mae'n llond llaw o bethau a gadael eto" (It's full of things and we have to leave again). - The Welsh are very proud of their language, history, and traditions. They have a national holiday dedicated to their patron saint, Saint David, celebrated on March 1st. One of the expressions of surprise used on this day is "Dewi Sant a'n gwlad, y byd a'i garodd" (Saint David and our country, loved by the world). The Welsh also have their own unique love spoon tradition, which involves carving intricate designs into a piece of wood and presenting it to a loved one as a token of affection.
Interesting Facts[edit | edit source]
- The Welsh language is one of the oldest and most historic languages in Europe, with roots dating back to over 4000 years ago. It has also influenced many other languages, including English. - Wales is the only country that has a national botanical garden, which is located in Carmarthenshire. - The longest place name in Europe is located in Wales. It is Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, which translates to "St Mary's Church in the hollow of the white hazel near a rapid whirlpool and the Church of St Tysilio near the red cave".
To improve your Welsh Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Sources[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]