prydferth
/ˈprədvɛrθ/
The English word 'beautiful' can be translated into Welsh using several different forms, most commonly hardd. If unsure, use prydferth. Wiktionary also lists arddun.
Meaning: attractive (adj)
Ways to say it
| Welsh | IPA |
|---|---|
| prydferth | /ˈprədvɛrθ/ |
| hardd | /harð/ |
| arddun | /ˈarðɨ̞n/ (North Wales) /ˈarðɪn/ (South Wales) |
In Welsh, words for 'beautiful' are used to describe someone or something that is attractive or aesthetically pleasing.
Which one should you use?
hardd is the most common and versatile adjective, translating to both 'beautiful' and 'lovely'. prydferth is a more emphatic term, often used to convey the sense of 'splendid' or 'magnificent'. arddun is another form available for this meaning.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈprədvɛrθ/
Did you know?
- Welsh adjectives like hardd undergo 'soft mutations' when they follow certain words, changing the first letter of the word itself.
- The word prydferth is built from pryd meaning 'complexion' and berth meaning 'fair'. This suggests that beauty was historically linked to the health and clarity of one's skin.
- While hardd means 'beautiful', the word hardd is also used in Welsh to describe 'neat' or 'tidy' work, such as a clean piece of handwriting.
Examples in context
- Mae gan yr actores enw hardd iawn.The actress has a very beautiful name.This sentence shows how to use hardd to describe a noun.Tatoeba #11473405 by janTuki, translation #46589 by Zifre
- Tirwedd harddBeautiful landscape
- Gardd hyfrydLovely garden
- Wyneb hyfrydBeautiful face
- Arfordir bendigedigBeautiful coastline
Example conversation
Rhiannon and Rhys are walking through a garden.
- RhiannonEdrychwch ar y blodau prydferth hyn.Look at these beautiful flowers.
- RhysYdych chi'n iawn, maen nhw'n hyfrydol.You are right, they are lovely.
- RhiannonMae'r gardd gyfan yn prydferth heddiw.The whole garden is beautiful today.
- RhysMae'n lle gwych i fod.It is a great place to be.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beautiful” translations and entries prydferth, hardd, arddun, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries prydferth, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
