Woman in pale top and dark trousers with long blond hair. She is smiling and saying 'Mae hi'n siarad fel melin bupur'. Title 11 Welsh idioms to colour your conversation.

When learning Welsh, we always want to do what we can to feel as though we’re talking like a native speaker. One of the ways we can do that is by using colourful or amusing idioms and phrases through our language. Why not pick one of these sayings and find a way to include it in an e-bost or other neges this week?

Priod-ddull/IdiomCyfieithiad/TranslationYstyr/Meaning
Mae e’n a’i wynt yn ei ddwrnHe has the wind in his fistHe’s out of breath/in a hurry
Mae hi’n bwrw hen wragedd a ffyn / cyllyll a ffyrc.
It’s raining old women and sticks/knives and forksIt’s raining cats and dogs/It’s raining very heavily
Mae Twm yn dipyn o aderyn.Twm is a bit of a birdTwm is a bit of a lad
Dw i’n deffro yn y bore bach.
I wake in the little morningI wake in the small hours/Very early
Paid cynnu tân ar hen aelwyd.
Don’t light a fire on old ashesDon’t rekindle an old flame/Restart an old relationship
Mae hi’n siarad fel melin bupur.
She speaks like a pepper millShe talks non-stop
Mae Dewi yn rhydiau’r afon.
Dewi is in the fords of the riverDewi is on his death bed
Mae e’n mynd i dynnu blewyn o’i drwyn.He is going to pull a hair from his nose.He’s going to do something unpleasant to him.
Dw i’n rhoi’r ffidil yn y toI’m putting the fiddle in the roofI’m giving up
Roedd hi’n freuddwyd gwrach wrth ei hewyllys.It was a witch’s dream according to her willIt was wishful thinking
Paid â chodi pais ar ôl piso.Don’t lift a petticoat after pissingDon’t shut the stable door after the horse has bolted./Don’t cry over spilt milk.

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