cariad
/ˈkarjad/
The Welsh word cariad means love or beloved.
Cariad is used both to refer to the concept of love and to refer to a person. As a term of endearment, it is used to address a loved one, such as a partner, spouse or child, acting much like the English terms 'darling' or 'sweetheart'.
What does it mean word for word?
The word cariad literally means 'love'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say 'my love' using the Welsh word for 'my' (fy), the word undergoes a soft mutation. In this specific case, cariad becomes fy nghariad.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkarjad/
Did you know?
- While cariad is used for deep affection, Welsh speakers often pair it with the word bach, which means 'small', to create the term cariad bach.
- In some Welsh dialects, cariad can be used as a gentle way to scold a child, similar to how an English speaker might say 'now listen, sweetheart'.
- Welsh has several other terms of endearment that do not translate to 'love', such as bach, which means 'small'. Using cariad is a more direct expression of deep affection compared to the more casual bach.
Examples in context
- Ti yw fy cariad.You are my love.
- Da iawn, fy cariad.Very good, my love.
Example conversation
Catrin is saying goodbye to Gareth before he leaves for work.
- CatrinHwyl am y tro, cariad.Bye for now, love.
- GarethHwyl, Catrin. Welwn i ti yn nhy.Bye, Catrin. I'll see you at home.
- CatrinMae'r coffi yn barod, cariad.The coffee is ready, darling.
- GarethDiolch, byddaf yn ôl yn fuan.Thanks, I'll be back soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cariad, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
