Words for St Dwynwen: Here is number seven in our series of Welsh for beginners. This time we have lots of different ways to talk about your new year and Welsh Valentine’s day!
Termau Ionawr – January words
| English | Welsh | English pronunciation |
| January | Ionawr | Yon-ourr |
| Happy New Year | Blwyddyn Newydd Dda | Blooythe-in Neh-with Tha* |
| Love | Cariad | Karr-yad |
| I love you | Dwi’n dy garu di | Dween duh garry dee |
| Saint Dwynwen | Santes Dwynwen | San-tess Dooin-wen |
| I love | Dwi’n caru | Dween carry |
| Lots of love | Cariad Mawr | Karr-yad Mowrr |
| Kiss | Sws | Sooss |
| Flowers | Blodau | Blod-eye |
| Card | Cerdyn | Kerr-din |
| Snowing | Bwrw Eira | Booroo eigh-raa |
* ‘th’ as in ‘that’
A History of St Dwynwen’s Day
Dydd Santes Dwynwen (St Dwynwen’s Day) is celebrated in Wales on the 25th of January to commemorate Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers.
Dwynwen was a princess who lived during the fifth century and fell in love with a young man called Maelon, but unfortunately her father had already decided that she should marry someone else. There are several versions of the story, however, all agree that in the end, Dwynwen ran away to Ynys Môn (Anglesey), became a nun and built a church. Its remains can still be seen today on Llanddwyn Island (Llanddwyn literally meaning “Church of Dwynwen”), which is a beautiful small tidal island off the West coast of Ynys Môn close to Newborough Forest.
The popularity and celebration of St Dwynwen’s Day has increased considerably in recent years. Why wait until St Valentine’s Day? Celebrate this year and support a local business selling cards, cake, flowers or a nice meal!
Mae Dydd Santes Dwywen
Mae Dydd Santes Dwynwen yn cael ei ddathlu yng Nghymru ar y 25ain o Ionawr i goffáu Dwynwen, nawddsant cariadon Cymru.
Roedd Dwynwen yn dywysoges a oedd yn byw yn ystod y 5ed ganrif a syrthiodd mewn cariad â dyn ifanc o’r enw Maelon, ond yn anffodus roedd ei thad eisoes wedi penderfynu y dylai briodi rhywun arall. Mae storiâu yn amrywio ond mae pawb yn cytuno bod Dwynwen wedi rhedeg i ffwrdd i Ynys Môn, wedi dod yn lleian a sefydlwyd Eglwys. Gellir gweld olion Eglwys Santes Dwynwen ar Ynys Llanddwyn sy’n ynys lanw fach brydferth oddi ar arfordir Gorllewinol Ynys Môn yn agos at Goedwig Niwbwrch.
Mae poblogrwydd a dathliad Dydd Santes Dwynwen wedi cynyddu’n sylweddol – pam aros tan Ddydd San Ffolant – dathlwch eleni a chefnogwch fusnes lleol yn gwerthu cardiau, cacen, blodau neu bryd o fwyd neis!
FREE Welsh translation and support available for small businesses – contact Ffion Whitham. Visit the Business Wales website for related information.
We hope you enjoyed our article entitled “Words for St Dwynwen”. Don’t forget: all the previous lessons are available by clicking here.
