Weeks

12th January 202121st January 2021 By Simon

Words for week and related words in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sechtmain = week
Irish (Gaeilge)	seachtain [ˈʃaxt̪ˠənʲ] = week an tseachtain seo caite = last week an tseachtain seo = this week an tseachtain seo chugainn = next week deireadh seachtaine = weekend coicís = fortnight
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seachdain [ʃɛxgɛn̪ʲ] = week an t-seachdain sa chaidh = last week an t-seachdain-sa = this week an ath-sheachdain = next week deireadh-seachdain / ceann-seachdain = weekend cola-deug = fortnight
Manx (Gaelg)	shiaghtin = week yn çhiaghtyn s’jerree, yn çhiaghtyn shoh chaie = last week yn çhiaghtin shoh = this week yn çhiaghtin er giyn, yn çhiaghtin shoh çheet = next week jerrey shiaghtin = weekend kegeesh = fortnight
Welsh (Cymraeg)	wythnos [ˈʊɨ̯θnɔs / ˈʊi̯θnɔs] = week yr wythnos diwetha(f) = last week yr wythnos hon = this week yr wythnos nesa(f) = next week penwythnos = weekend pythefnos = fortnight
Cornish (Kernewek)	seythen [ˈsəiθən] = week an seythen diwettha = last week an seythen ma = this week an seythen nessa = next week pennseythen [pɛnsəiθən] = weekend hanter-mis = fortnight
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sizhun [ˈsiː.zỹn] = week ar sizhun diwezhañ = last week ar sizhun-mañ = this week ar sizhun nesañ = next week diben-sizhun = weekend pemzektez = fortnight

Weeks in Celtic languages

Etymology (Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Manx): from the Late Latin septimāna (week), from the Latin septimus (seventh) [source]. The Cornish and Breton words are also related to seven.

Etymology (wythnos): from wyth (eight) and nos (night) – so a week in Welsh has eight nights, counting from midnight on Saturday to the following Saturday night.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

The names of the months, days and seasons in Celtic languages

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Globse

Years

31st December 20202nd January 2023 By Simon

Words for year and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	blēdanī / bleido = year ɸeruti = last year se-blidnī = this year
Old Irish (Goídelc)	blíadaín = year uraid [ˈurəðʲ], urid, innurid = last year
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bliadain = year bliadnach = full of years, long-lived blíadnaide = year-old, yearling blíadnamail = yearly, by or for the year
Irish (Gaeilge)	bliain [bʲlʲiənʲ] = year bliainiris = annual, year-book blianacht = annuity bliantóg = annual bliantúil = yearly, annual anuraidh [əˈn̪ˠɔɾˠə] = last year i mbliana = this year an bhliain seo chugainn = next year athbliain / An Bhliain Nua/Úr = (the) New Year
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bliadhna [bliən̪ˠə] = year, vintage bliadhnach = yearling bliadhnachan = annual (a book published yearly) bliadhnail = annual, yearly an-uiridh [ˈurəðʲ] = last year am bliadhna [əm’bliən̪ˠə] = this year (an) athbhliadhna [(ə’n̪ˠ)aflɪn̪ʲ] = next year athbliain / A’ Bhliadhna Ùr = (the) New Year
Manx (Gaelg)	blein [blʲeːnʲ / blʲiᵈn] = year, twelvemonth bleinoil = annual, yearly bleeanagh = annual bleeanaght = annuity bleeaney = anniversary, of a year nurree = last year mleeaney = this year yn vlein ry heet, yn vlein shoh çheet = next year Nollick Veg, Yn Vlein Noa = New Year
Old Welsh	bloidin = year
Middle Welsh (Kymreac)	blydyn, bluitinet, bluydyned = year bluyd, blwyd = year (of age)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	blwyddyn [ˈblʊɨ̯ðɨ̞n / ˈblʊi̯ðɪn] = year, a long time, ages; lifetime, life blwydd [bluːɨ̯ð / blʊi̯ð] = year (of age), twelve months (old), birthday, yearling penblwydd = birthday llynedd [ˈɬənɛð] = last year eleni [ɛˈlɛnɪ / ɛˈleːni] = this year blwyddyn nesaf = next year blwyddyn Newydd = New Year
Old Cornish	bliþen = year
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bledhan, bledhen, bledhyn, blidhen, blythen = year bloth = year (of age)
Cornish (Kernewek)	bledhen = year bloodh = year (of age) warlena / warleni = last year hevlena / hevleni = this year nessa bledhen = next year Bledhen Nowydh = New Year
Old Breton	blidan, bliden = year
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bliz(i)enn, bliz(i)en, blidan = year bloavez(h), bloazuez = year bloavezhiek = annual bloaz = year (of age) bloazañ = to date bloaziadur = annual, year-book
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bloavezh = year bloaz = year (of age) bloaziadur = annual, year-book bloazieg = annual journal bloaziek = annual bloaziekaat = to annualize ar bloaz a zeu = last year hevlene = this year ar bloaz tremen(et) / paseet = next year kala-bloaz = New Year

Etymology (year): possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰloyd- (pale) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include бледный (pale) in Russian, бледен (pale, pallied, insignificant) in Bulgarian, and bledý (pale) in Czech [source].

Etymology (last year – Goidelic languages): from the Proto-Indo-European *péruti (last year) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit, Bliadhna mhath ùr, Blein Vie Noa, Blwyddyn newydd dda, Bledhen Nowydh Da, Bloavezh mat, Happy New Year!

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Time & Weather

26th December 20202nd February 2024 By Simon

Words for time and weather in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	ammen-, amo- = time
Old Irish (Goídelc)	amm = time
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	amm = time, point of time
Irish (Gaeilge)	am [aumˠ / ɑːmˠ / amˠ] = time, point of time, occasion, usual, due, proper, opportune, season, period am ar bith = at any time ó am go ham = from time to time amadóir = timepiece, timer amchlár, clár ama = time-table amchrios = time zone amscála = time scale
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àm [ãũm/amə] = time, occasion, period àm air bith = whenever àm-latha = daytime àm nam pòg = honeymoon (“time of kissing”)
Manx (Gaelg)	am = time ec yn am = in the nick of time

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *h₂etmn̥ (wandering), from *h₂et- (to go), which is also the root of words such as annual in English, an(née) (year) in French and año (year, age) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*amsterā = time, moment
Old Irish (Goídelc)	aimser [ˈamʲsʲer] = time, age, period, season
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	aimser [ˈamʲɕər] = point of time, period of time, span, spell, period, age, epoch, season. weather aimseradt = period, duration aimserdae = belonging to time, temporal
Irish (Gaeilge)	aimsir [ˈamʲʃəɾʲ / ˈæːmʲʃəɾʲ] = mind, mental state, disposition, attention, spirits, intention, accord aimseartha = temporal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aimsir [ɛmɛʃɪrʲ] = climate, weather, season, era, time, reign aimsireil [ɛmɛʃɪrʲal] = of this world, temporal
Manx (Gaelg)	emshir [ˈɛmʃər] = weather, weather conditions, tense, time
Old Welsh	amser = time
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	amser [ˈamser] = time amserav = to time, date amserawl, amseraỽl = timely
Welsh (Cymraeg)	amser [ˈamsɛr / ˈamsar] = time, occasion, date, opportunity amseraf, amseru = to time, date, occur, come to pass amseriad = date, a timing, time, tempo (in music) amserlen = timetable amserlin = timeline, schedule amsernod = noteworty, epoch, period, era, time signature amserol = timely, well-timed, topical, seasonable, opportune, suitable, temporal, transient, temporary amserolder = timeliness, seasonableness
Old Cornish	anser = time
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	amser = time
Cornish (Kernewek)	amser = (grammatical) tense amseryow = menstruation, period
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	amser, amzer = time, weather
Breton (Brezhoneg)	amzer [ˈãm.zɛr] = time, weather amzeran, amzerañ = to delay, to fix (in time) amzereg = timer amzeroni = chronology amzervezh = time, era

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂meh₁- (to mow, reap, harvest), from Proto-Celtic *amm (time) – see above [source].

Proto-Celtic	*trātu = time, hour
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tráth [traːθ] = time, hour, period (of time)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tráth [traːθ] = period of time, hour, point in time, day tráthach = timely tráthamail = timely
Irish (Gaeilge)	tráth [t̪ˠɾˠɑː / t̪ˠɾˠæː] = hour, time, occasion, day, period tráthaí = person who keeps regular hours tráthchlár = timetable tráthchuid = instalment tráthnóna = afternoon, evening (up to nightfall) tráthrialta = at regular times, regularly, punctually tráthúil = timely, opportune, apt, felicitous, witty tráthúlacht = timeliness, opportuneness, aptness, wittiness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tràth [traː] = time, meal, (grammatical) tense, when, phrase, season
Manx (Gaelg)	traa = duration, time, period, occasion, tempo
Proto-Brythonic	*trọd = course, voyage
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	traỽt, traỽd, trawt, trawd = course, way, journey, career, movement, gait, assault, attack
Welsh (Cymraeg)	trawd, trawdd = course, way, journey, career, movement, gait, assault, attack trawenaf, trawenu = to go (over/through), cross, travel
Cornish (Kernewek)	trad = trade, way

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *terh₂- (to cross over, pass through, overcome) [source]. Words from the same roots include enter, term, terminal, thorough, through and transaction in English, and tarddu (to emerge, sprout, explode) in Welsh [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kʷritus = time, movement, shape, magical transformation
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cruth [kruθ] / crud [kruð] = form, shape, manner, way
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cruth = form, shape, appearance, shapeliness cruthach = shapely, fair, beautiful cruthaid = to create, form cruthaigidir = to create, shape, form, produce cruthmar = shapely
Irish (Gaeilge)	cruth [kɾˠʊ(h)] = shape, appearance, state, condition, manner, mode cruthach = shapely cruthaigh = to create, form, prove cruthaíocht = shape, appearance, good physique cruthaitheach = creative cruthú = creation, proof, testimony cruthúil = shapely, beautiful, likely, plausible
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cruth [kruh] = form, shape, figure cruthach [kruhəx] = real, shapely, well-formed cruthachadh [kruhəxəɣ] = (act of) creating, creation, (act of) forming cruthachas [kruhəxəs] = creativity cruthachd [kruhəxg] = form, complexion, creation cruthadair [kruhədɪrʲ] = creator
Manx (Gaelg)	croo = shape, appearance, format, coinage, creation, create, coining, form, build crooaghey = shape crootagh = creative, creator crootaght = creativity
Proto-Brythonic	*prɨd = shape, form
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pryd, prid, pryt = sight, appearance prydu, prydaf = to compose poetry prydaw = beautiful, lovely prydfawr, pryduawr = very beautiful or graceful, splendid, inspired pryduerth, prytuerth = beautiful, splendid, handsome, fine, fair, seemly, decent
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pryd [prɨːd / priːd] = sight, appearance, aspect, complexion, colouring, face, shape, form, comeliness, beauty prydaf, prydu = to compose poetry, versify, write (a poem), to devise, compose prydaw = beautiful, lovely prydfawr = very beautiful or graceful, splendid, inspired prydferth = beautiful, splendid, handsome, fine, fair, seemly, decent prydferthaf, prydferthu = to make beautiful, beautify, grace, adorn, embellish, flourish

Proto-Celtic	*kʷritus = time, movement, shape, magical transformation
Proto-Brythonic	*prɨd = time
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pryt, pryd = time. occasion, period, season
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pryd [prɨːd / priːd] = time, occasion, period, season, day, meal(time), when, while prydlon = punctual, prompt, timely, seasonable; suitable, appropriate, proper prydlondeb, prydlonder, prydlonedd = punctuality, timeliness, seasonableness pryd(i)ol = timely, seasonable, punctual
Old Cornish	prit = hour, time
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	prys, prês, preys = a stated time, a while, time, season, mealtime, a meal
Cornish (Kernewek)	prys = season, time, while prysweyth = instant, occasion
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pret = moment
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pred = moment, meal predadenn = (good) meal

Etymology (of both the above words): from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷer- (to do, make, build). Words from the same roots include Britain, Brittany and karma in English, and words for cauldron in Celtic languages [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tywyd = weather
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tywydd [ˈtəu̯.ɨ̞ð / ˈtəu̯.ɪð] = weather, bad or stormy weather tywyddiant = meterology tywyddol = pertaining to the weather
Cornish (Kernewek)	tewedh = storm tewedha = to weather

Etymology: unknown

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Knees

19th December 202019th December 2020 By Simon

Here are some words for knee, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*glūnos = knee
Old Irish (Goídelc)	glún [ɡluːn] = knee
Irish (Gaeilge)	glúin [ɡl̪ˠuːnʲ / ɡlˠuːnʲ] = knee, generation, step (in a series), node caipín glúine, gealacán glúine = kneecap, patella bean ghlúine = midwife
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	glùin [ɡl̪ˠuːnʲ] = knee, generation, lap, joint (of boat) copan na glùine / cnap-glùine / falman = kneecap, patella lùbadh-glùin = curtsey bean-ghlùine = midwife
Manx (Gaelg)	glioon [ɡlʲuːnʲ] = joint, crooked timber, knee rollian ny gliooney = kneecap, patella moddey glioon = lap dog, toy dog glioon-lhoobey = genuflect, genuflection
Proto-Brythonic	*glin = knee
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glin [ɡliːn], pen (g)lin [pɛnˈ(ɡ)liːn] = knee clwyd y glin = kneecap, patella llinach = lineage, genealogy, pedigree, ancestry, stock, kindred, offspring, succession, generation camu glin = to curtsey
Cornish (Kernewek)	glin [ˈɡliːn] = knee padell bedn glin / penn glin = kneecap, patella
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glin [ˈɡliːn] = knee koubloù = kneecap, patella

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵónu (knee).

From the Proto-Celtic word *glūnos we also get the Proto-Celtic word *genwā ((river) bend), which is the root of the names Geneva, Genoa.

The word knee comes from the same PIE root, via the Middle English kne, from the Old English cnēow, from the Proto-West Germanic *kneu, from the Proto-Germanic *knewą.

The word genuflect (to bend the knee) also comes from the same PIE root, via the Latin genū (knee) and flectō (to bend) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis

Nails, Claws and Talons

12th December 202012th December 2020 By Simon

Words for nails in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*angʷīnā = (finger/toe) nail
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ingen [ˈiŋʲɡʲen] = (finger/toe) nail
Irish (Gaeilge)	ionga [ˈɔŋə] = nail, claw, talon; hoof; clove (of garlic); quid (of tabacco) ionga méire finger nail ionga ordóige = thumbnail ionga coise / ionga laidhre toenail
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ionga [iŋgə] = (finger) nail, toenail, claw, talon, gusset
Manx (Gaelg)	ingin [ˈiŋən] = claw, nail, talon, hoof; clove (of garlic) ingin ordaag = thumbnail ingin choshey toenail
Proto-Brythonic	*ėɣwin = nail
Old Welsh	eguin = nail
Middle Welsh (Kyrmraec)	ewin = nail
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ewin [ˈɛu̯.ɪn] = nail of a finger or toe; claw or talon (of bird), claw (of carnivorous beast); division of a cloven hoof; worthless remnant; power of grip; cog of a wheel; jutting edge of rock; clove (of garlic), small piece, particle ewin bawd thumbnail ewin troed toenail
Old Cornish	euuin = fingernail
Cornish (Kernewek)	ewyn = claw, fingernail, talon, toenail; clove (of garlic)
Old Breton	eguin = fingernail
Middle Breton	euin = fingernail
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ivin [ˈboːs] = fingernail, tab

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃nṓgʰs ((finger/toe) nail) [source].

Fingers and Toes

2nd December 20202nd March 2024 By Simon

Words for finger, toe and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*makro = finger
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mér [mʲeːr] = finger, digit, toe
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mér, mer, meóir, meúir = finger, digit, toe
Irish (Gaeilge)	méar [mʲeːɾˠ] = finger, digit, toe, leg (of crustaceans, mollusks, etc), arm (of a cuttle fish) an mhéar thosaigh/cholbha = the forefinger, index finger an mhéar fhada/láir/mheáin = (the) middle finger méar an fháinne = ring finger an mhéar bheag / lúidín / lúideog = (the) little finger méar coise = toe
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	meur [miar] = finger, digit, branch (of an organisation/family), key (in music), point (of an antler), knot (in wood) meur-meomhair = forefinger, index finger meur-meadhain / (am) meur fada / (am) meur meadhanach = middle finger màthair na lùdaige / mac an aba / am madadh fada = ring finger meur beag an airgid / plaoisgeag = little finger
Manx (Gaelg)	mair = finger, digit, prong, ray, (piano) key, hand (of clock), tributary (of river) corrag / corvair = the forefinger, index finger mair vooar = the middle finger mair ny fainey = ring finger mair veg = the little finger mair chass / mair choshey = toe mair choshey veg / mair veg ny coshey = little toe

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *mh₂ḱros (lean, meager), which is also the root of the English word meagre/meager, the French word maigre (meagre, skinny, lean, thin), and the Spanish word magro (lean)[source].

Proto-Celtic	bissī / bistis = finger
Old Irish (Goídelc)	biss = icicle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	biss, byss, bys = finger, toe, latch
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bys [bɨːs / biːs] = finger (of hand/glove), toe; medium, agency; hand (of clock); latch bys bawd = thumb bys blaen = forefinger, index finger bys y cogwrn = middle finger (“knuckle finger”) bys y gyfaredd = ring finger bys bach = little finger, ear-finger; minute-hand bys(i)aid = as much as can be held on or taken up by the finger, a pinch byseddaf, byseddu, bysedda = to finger, thumb, use the fingers byseddog = having fingers, fingered byseg = thimble bysfedd = finger’s breadth, digit byson = ring for the finger
Old Cornish	bis/bes = finger
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bis, bes = finger bis truit = toe bisou, besaw = ring
Cornish (Kernewek)	bys, bes = finger, digit bys bras = thumb bys rag = index finger bys kres = middle finger bys bysow = ring finger bys byghan / bes bian = little finger byskon = thimble bysow, besow = ring
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bes, bys, bis = finger besou, bisou = ring
Breton (Brezhoneg)	biz [biːs] = finger, hand (of clock), tooth (of tool), leg (of anchor), tentacle, tendril biz-meud = thumb biz-yod = index finger biz bras = middle finger biz-gwalenn / biz bizou = ring finger biz bihan / skouarnel = little finger bizou, bizoù [ˈbiːzu] = ring, jewel bizouier = jeweller bizour = jewel

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷist- (twig, finger). The French word bijou (a piece of jewellry), comes from the same root, via the Breton bizoù (ring), from biz (finger) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*māto = finger
Old Welsh (Kymraec)	máut = finger, toe, latch
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mawd, baut, bawd = finger, toe, latch
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bawd = thumb, big toe; claw (of crab), hoof bawd troed = big toe bawdheglaf, bawdheglu = to hitch-hike
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	meut = thumb
Cornish (Kernewek)	meus = thumb meusva = inch meusya = to hitchhike
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	meut = thumb
Breton (Brezhoneg)	meud [ˈmøːt] = thumb, pincer, claw meud-troad = big toe, toe meudadenn = grip (of the thumb) meudata = to knead with one’s thumb

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *mē- [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ordu = thumb, big toe
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ordu, órdu = thumb, big toe
Irish (Gaeilge)	ordóg [ˈəuɾˠd̪ˠoːɡ] = thumb, big toe, claw, pincers, bit, piece, fragment ordóg coise = big toe
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	òrdag [ɔːr̪ˠdag] = thumb, big toe òrdag-coise / òrdag-mhór = big toe òrdag-làimhe = thumb òrdag bheag an airgid = little toe, little finger
Manx (Gaelg)	ordaag = thumb ordaag chass / ordaag choshey / ordaag vooar = big toe

Etymology: possibly from the Old Irish ord/ordd (hammer, piece, fragment, stub), from the Proto-Celtic *ordos (hammer) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ladar = grasp, grip
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ladar, ladair = fork or space between the fingers or between the thumb and the rest of the hand; grip, grasp; space between the toes
Irish (Gaeilge)	ladhar [lˠaiɾˠ] = space between toes or fingers, toe, claw, prong, (clawed) hand ladhar mhór = big toe ladhar bheag = little toe laidhricín = little toe, little finger lúidín / lúideog = little finger, little toe lúidín coise = little toe
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ladhar [l̪ˠɤ.ər] = hoof, prong, toe, claw (of lobster) ladhrag [l̪ˠɤːrag] = toe, prong, hoof an ladhar mór = big toe lùdag / lùdag bheag / lùdag dhubh na catha [l̪ˠuːdag] = little finger, hinge

Etymology: unknown [source].

Seals

28th November 20205th April 2024 By Simon

Words for seal and other creatures in Celtic languages.

Species of seals that may be found around the Celtic lands include the common or harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) and the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus). Other species are available.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	rón = seal
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rón, ron = seal
Irish (Gaeilge)	rón = seal rón beag = harbour/common seal rón glas = grey seal rónach = seals, abounding in seals cladach rónta = shoal of seals
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ròn [r̪ˠɔːn] = seal ròn cumanta / ròn-dubh = harbour/common seal ròn glas = grey seal rònan [r̪ˠɔːnan] = little seal rònach [r̪ˠɔːnəx] = pertaining to or abounding in seals rònanach [r̪ˠɔːnanəx] = pertaining to or abounding in little seals
Manx (Gaelg)	raun = seal raun beg = harbour/common seal raun glass/ghlass = grey seal raunagh = seal-like, seal hunt
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	moelronyeit, moelrawn, moelrhawn = hippopotamus, seal
Welsh (Cymraeg)	moelrhon, moelrhawn = seal, porpoise, dophin, hippopotamus moelrhonaidd = seal-like moelrhoniwr = seal hunter
Cornish (Kernewek)	reun = seal reun kemmyn = harbour/common seal reun loos = grey seal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	reunig = seal reunig morleue = harbour/common seal reunig gris = grey seal

Etymology: possibly from Old English hran (whale), from Proto-Germanic *harza/harza- (a kind of fish). Incidentally, the Irish name Rónán means “little seal” [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	morhwch, morwch = seal, porpoise, dolphin
Welsh (Cymraeg)	morwch, môr-hwch = seal, porpoise, dolphin
Old Cornish	morhoch = porpoise
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	morhoch = porpoise
Cornish (Kernewek)	morhogh = porpoise
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	morhouch, mourouch, moroch = porpoise
Breton (Brezhoneg)	morhoc’h = porpoise

Etymology (Welsh): from môr (sea) and hwch (calf). The words in Cornish and Breton come from similar roots [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	morylo = seal
Welsh (Cymraeg)	morlo [ˈmɔrlɔ] = seal, sealskin morlo cyffredin = common seal morlo llwyd = grey seal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	leue-mor = seal

Etymology (Welsh): from môr (sea) and llo (calf). The word in Breton come from similar roots [source].

Sea Monsters

20th November 202020th November 2020 By Simon

Words for whale in Celtic languages.

Some species of whales that may be found around the Celtic lands include the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), the common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), the sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), and the killer whale or orca (Orcinus orca). Other species are available.

Proto-Celtic	*mori-mīlo = whale
Old Irish (Goídelc)	míl mór / bled / bledmil = whale, sea monster
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	murimil / bled = whale, sea monster
Irish (Gaeilge)	míol mór = whale míol mór an oighir = humpback whale míol mór an oighir = North Atlantic right whale droimeiteach beag = common minke whale droimeiteach = fin whale mhadadh-cuain = killer whale
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mial-mhór / muc-mhara / blaoch / bleth / bleidh mhiol = whale muc-mhara dhronnach, muc-mhara chrotach = humpback whale muc-mhara cheart thuathach = North Atlantic right whale muc-mhionc choitcheann, rorcual-beag = common minke whale muc-mhara nan saoidhean = sei whale muc-mhara dhruim-iteach / muc-an-sgadain = fin whale cráin dhubh / grampar = killer whale
Manx (Gaelg)	meeyl mooar, muc varrey = whale feer-whale = right whale muc-varrey Minke = minke whale
Welsh (Cymraeg)	morfil = whale, sea monster, the constellation Cetus (the Whale) morfil cefngrwm = humpback whale morfil cywir / morfil walbon = right whale morfil pigfain = common minke whale morfil sei / morfil asgellog sei = sei whale morfil asgellog llwyd = fin whale morfil danheddog / morfil ffyrnig / lleiddiad = killer whale
Cornish (Kernewek)	morvil = whale
Breton (Brezhoneg)	morvil = whale balum askellek = humpback whale balum reizh du = North Atlantic right whale skoazog = killer whale

Etymology: these words mean ‘sea creature’, ‘large beast’, ‘sea pig’ or something similar.

Water Snakes (Eels)

12th November 202012th November 2020 By Simon

Words for eel in the Celtic languages.

In Celtic-speaking areas, the most common species of eels are the European eel or silver eel (Anguilla anguilla) ,and the European conger (eel) (Conger conger). Other eels are available.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	escong / escumg / esconga / escuma = eel
Irish (Gaeilge)	eascann [ˈasˠkən̪ˠ] = eel, reptile, snake eascann abhann = freshwater eel eascann choncair / eascann mhara = conger eel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	easgann [esgən̪ˠ] / feasgainn [fesgɪn̪ʲ] = eel easgann-mhara / easgann-dhubh a’ chladaich = conger eel
Manx (Gaelg)	astan = eel astan marrey = sea eel, conger eel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llysywen / ‘slywen = eel llysywen ariannaidd = silver eel llysywen fôr (y môr) / congren = European conger eel
Cornish (Kernewek)	sylli = eel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	silienn = eel silienn-dour-dous = European eel silienn-vor = European conger eel

Etymology: possibly from *esc (water) and the Proto-Indo-European *h₂éngʷʰis (snake).

Should you find that eels have infested your hovercraft, as they often do, here’s how you can say that in Celtic languages:

Irish: Tá m’árthach foluaineach lán d’eascanna
Scottish Gaelic: Tha a’ bàta-falbhain agam loma-làn easgannan
Manx: Ta my lhong chrowal lane dy astanyn
Cornish: Leun a sylli yw ow skath bargesi
Welsh: Mae fy hofrenfad yn llawn llyswennod
Breton: Leun gant sili eo ma dourruzer

This phrase in many more languages

Here’s a song I wrote some years ago which features hovercrafts and eels and has verses in Welsh and Irish.

Simon Ager · A Hen in My Hat / Iâr yn fy Het

Trout

5th November 202016th December 2022 By Simon

Words for trout and related fish in the Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	brecc = trout
Irish (Gaeilge)	breac [bʲɾʲak] = trout; fish breac buí / breac rua = brown trout breac-mara = sea trout
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	breac [brʲɛxɡ] = trout breac-donn, breac-mara, breac-sàile = brown/sea trout
Manx (Gaelg)	brack/breck = trout, brown trout; speckled, spotted breck awin / breck dhoan = brown trout breck gial = sea trout
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brychyn = a speckled one, freckled person, freckled face; trout brychiad = spotted or freckled person; sea trout, sewin brych y dail = sea trout, sewin

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *brikkos (speckled, spotted). from the Proto-Indo-European *perḱ- (motley, coloured, spotted).

Some trout-related expressions:

Irish: Chomh folláin le breac = as fit as a fiddle (“as healthy as a trout”)
Irish: An breac sa bhainne = the fly in the ointment (“the trout in the milk”)
Irish: Ní breac é go raibh sé ar an bport = don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched (“It’s not a trout until it’s in the port”)
Manx: Ta breck ‘sy laue ny share na braddan ‘sy lhingey = A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush (“The trout in the hand is better than the salmon in the pool”)
Manx: Ta breck ‘sy vainney = a fly in the ointment (“a trout is in the milk”)
Manx: T’eh cha follan as breck = He’s a fit as a fiddle (“He’s as healthy as a trout”)

Welsh (Cymraeg)	brithyll = trout brithyll môr = sea trout, salmon trout
Old Cornish	breithil = trout
Cornish (Kernewek)	brythel = trout
Breton (Brezhoneg)	brezel = mackerel

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *mrixtil(l)o- / *mr-ī- (trout).

Cornish (Kernewek)	truth = trout
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dluzh = trout dluzh fario = brown trout dluzh-mor = sea trout

Etymology: unknown

The species of trout most common found in and around the Celtic speaking lands are the brown trout (Salmo trutta), and the sea trout (Salmo trutta trutta), which is also known as finnock in Scotland, sewin in Wales and white trout or salmon trout in Ireland [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Etymology

Weeks

Years

Time & Weather

Knees

Nails, Claws and Talons

Fingers and Toes

Seals

Sea Monsters

Water Snakes (Eels)

Trout