oer
/oːɨ̯r/
The Welsh word for "cold" is oer.
oer is an adjective used to describe something having a low temperature. While oer describes the sensation or quality of being cold, the noun oerfel refers to the state of low temperature itself. If you are referring to a physical illness like a cold, you would use the noun annwyd.
Meaning: having a low temperature (adj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective oer is invariable, which means it does not change its form to match gender or number. When describing the weather or the ambient temperature, Welsh speakers use the impersonal hi (she) or mae hi'n oer instead of a neutral "it".
How do you pronounce it?
/oːɨ̯r/
Did you know?
- The root of the word oer can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root *h₃ewǵ-, which also connects it to ancient Armenian words.
- In Welsh, the concept of 'cold' is often used in idioms to describe someone who is distant or unfriendly, similar to the English 'cold shoulder'.
Examples in context
- Mae'r tywydd yn oer.The weather is cold.This sentence shows how to describe the weather using oer.Tatoeba #6889939 by Sisial, translation #1766684 by AlanF_US
- Roedd hi'n oer tu allan.It was cold outside.This sentence uses oer to describe a past state of temperature.Tatoeba #6890114 by Sisial, translation #2548186 by CK
- Mae hi’n oer tu allan.It’s cold outside.This sentence uses oer to describe the current temperature outside.
- Mae'n oer heddiw.It is cold today.
- Mae hi'n oer bach yma.It's a bit cold here.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sian and Rhys are deciding what to wear before going outside.
- SianYdy'r dŵr yn oer?Is the water cold?
- RhysYdy, mae'n oer iawn.Yes, it is very cold.
- SianGwelwn ni'n gwisgo cotiau.Let's wear coats.
- RhysSyniad da, Sian.Good idea, Sian.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cold” translations and entries oer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries oer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
