13-19 July 2026

Gwyliau, meaning Holidays.

As summer begins, you’ll hear the word gwyliau used often in Wales. It means holidays or vacations, whether it’s a weekend away, a summer break, or a family trip.

Did you know?

The singular word is gwyl (holiday or festival), while gwyliau is the plural form. Wales has many traditional gwyliau, celebrating everything from music and culture to local food and history.

Useful phrases

• Hapus Gwyliau! → Happy Holidays!
• Rydyn ni’n mynd ar wyliau. → We’re going on holiday.
• Ble wyt ti’n mynd ar wyliau? → Where are you going on holiday?
• Mwynhewch eich gwyliau! → Enjoy your holiday!

Try it yourself

Can you say:

“Rydyn ni’n mynd ar wyliau.” (We’re going on holiday.)

“Pob hwyl, a mwynhewch yr haf!” (All the best, and enjoy the summer! ☀️🏖️)

 

6-12 July 2026

Gorffennaf (pronounced: “gor-FFEN-nav” with the emphasis on the middle syllable), meaning July.

Did you know?

The name Gorffennaf comes from the Welsh word gorffen, meaning “to finish” or “to end.” Traditionally, July marked the finishing of the hay harvest before the main grain harvest began. The word is made up of two elements, gorffen and haf, and means “the end of summer”.

Useful phrases

• Mae hi’n fis Gorffennaf. → It is the month of July.
• Pen-blwydd hapus ym mis Gorffennaf! → Happy birthday in July!
• Byddwn ni’n mynd ar wyliau ym mis Gorffennaf. → We are going on holiday in July.

Try it yourself

Can you say:

“Mae hi’n fis Gorffennaf.” (It’s July)

“Hwyl a gweld chi’r wythnos nesaf!” (Bye, and see you next week!)

 

29 June – 5 July 2026

Ffrind (pronounced: “Frind”), meaning Friend.

How to say it:

• ff → like the English ‘f’ sound
• rind → like ‘rind’

Example sentence:

• Ti yw fy ffrind. → You are my friend.

Friends make playtime, learning, and every day more fun – making Ffrind a wonderful Welsh word to learn this week! 😊✨

 

22-28 June 2026

Haf (pronounced: “Ha:v”), meaning Summer.

How to say it:

• ha → like the start of “hat”
• v → the ‘f’ in Welsh sounds like an English ‘v’

Example sentence:

• Rydyn ni’n caru’r haf! → We love the summer!

Summer is a time for sunshine, outdoor adventures, and lots of fun – making Haf a perfect Welsh word to learn this week! 🌼🌞

 

15-21 June 2026

Gwên (pronounced: “Gwen”), meaning Smile.

How to say it:

• gw → like the start of “Gwen”
• ên → like “en” with a slightly longer sound

Example sentence:

• Rho wên fawr! → Give a big smile!

A smile can brighten someone’s day, so Gwên is a lovely cheerful Welsh word to learn this week! 😊✨

 

8-14 June 2026

Enfys (pronounced: “En-viss”), meaning Rainbow.

How to say it:

• en → like end without the “d”
• fys → like viss (remember: ‘f’ in Welsh sounds like ‘v’)

Example sentence:

• Edrychwch ar yr enfys! → Look at the rainbow!

Rainbows bring colour and excitement after the rain – making Enfys a bright and cheerful Welsh word to learn this week! 🌦️✨

 

1-7 June 2026

Mehefin (pronounced: “Meh-hev-in”), meaning June.

How to say it:

• meh → like the start of metal
• hev → like heavy without the ‘y’ (remember: ‘f’ in Welsh sounds like ‘v’)
• in → like ‘in’

Example sentence:

• Mae hi’n fis Mehefin! → It’s the month of June!

Mehefin is a month full of sunshine, outdoor play, and excitement as summer begins – a perfect Welsh word to learn this week! ☀️🌼

 

25-31 May 2026

Gwenynen (pronounced: “GWEN-uh-nen”), meaning Bee.

• Mae’r wenynen yn brysur → The bee is busy

OOSC idea: Learn about pollinators or make bee crafts 🐝

 

18-24 May 2026

Heulog (pronounced: “HAY-log”), meaning Sunny.

• Mae hi’n ddiwrnod heulog → It’s a sunny day

OOSC idea: Weather chart each day

 

11-17 May 2026

Archwilio (pronounced: “arkh-WEE-lee-oh”), meaning Explore.

Archwilio means:

• To explore
• To investigate
• To discover something new

Examples:

• Gadewch i ni archwilio’r parc → Let’s explore the park
• Rydyn ni’n hoffi archwilio natur → We like exploring nature

You could use it as:

• “Gair yr wythnos: Archwilio” (Word of the week)
• Encourage children to say: Dw i’n archwilio! (“I am exploring!”)

 

4-10 May 2026

Chwarae (pronounced: “kh-wa-rye”), meaning Play.

How to say it:

• ch → a throaty sound, like in Scottish “loch” or German “Bach”
• wa → sounds like “wa” in “Waw!”
• rae → sounds like “rye” (as in bread)

Give it a try this week. Dewch i chwarae! (“Come and play!”)

 

27 April – 3 May 2026

Tyfu (pronounced: “tuh-vee”)

How to say it:

• “ty” sounds like “tuh”
• “fu” sounds like “vee”

You can get children to clap it out: Tuh – vee

What does it mean?

Tyfu means growing. Things grow bigger, taller, or stronger over time.

Try this fun activity

Ask children to act out growing:

• Start small like a seed (curl up)
• Slowly “tyfu” into a big plant (stretch tall!)

 

20-26 April 2026

This week’s featured Welsh word is Caredigrwydd (pronounced: “ka-reh-DIG-roo-ith”), meaning kindness.

The word reflects the values of care, compassion, and generosity towards others. Even the smallest act of caredigrwydd can make a meaningful and lasting difference in someone’s day. In Welsh culture, it represents the importance of community spirit, empathy, and supporting one another – timeless principles that remain relevant today.

Our members are encouraged to practise caredigrwydd in everyday activities. Simple actions can help create a more positive and inclusive environment:

• Including others by inviting them to join games or group activities, particularly those who may feel left out
• Using kind and respectful language, such as saying “please”, “thank you”, and offering compliments
• Helping others with tasks, whether it be schoolwork or shared activities
• Listening carefully and showing respect for others’ thoughts and feelings
• Sharing fairly and taking turns when using equipment or space.

Everyone is encouraged to embrace caredigrwydd and contribute to a supportive and welcoming environment for all.