duw
/dɨu̯/masculine
The English phrase 'God' is translated into Welsh as duw.
The word duw is a masculine noun used to mean a deity. It is also used colloquially in common exclamations similar to how an English speaker might say 'God!' or 'Goodness!'
Meaning: deity (noun)
Which one should you use?
The distinction between forms is determined by capitalization. The lowercase duw refers to a deity in a general sense, while the capitalized Duw refers specifically to the single deity of monotheism.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word duw is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/dɨu̯/
When do people say it?
In addition to religious use, speakers may use duw as a colloquial exclamation. Some also use the affectionate and informal term Yr Hen Ŵr (The Old Man) to refer to God.
Did you know?
- The word duw descends from the Proto-Celtic root *deiwos, which originally linked the concept of a deity to the brightness of the sky.
- The roots of duw connect it to the Sanskrit term deva, linking Welsh religious terminology back to ancient Vedic traditions.
- In ancient Welsh poetry, the way duw is used often blends Christian monotheism with older Celtic mythological descriptions of divine power.
Examples in context
- Yn y dechreuad y creodd Duw y nefoedd a’r ddaear.In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.This sentence shows the use of duw in a biblical context of creation.Tatoeba #8751641 by Akenaseryan, translation #3286750 by Abcormal
- A Duw a ddywedodd, Bydded goleuni, a goleuni a fu.And God said: Let there be light. And there was light.This sentence demonstrates the use of duw in the context of light being created.Tatoeba #8751666 by Akenaseryan, translation #663803 by bluepie88
- A Duw a welodd y goleuni, mai da oedd: a Duw a wahanodd rhwng y goleuni a’r tywyllwch.And God saw the light that it was good, and he divided the light from the darkness.This sentence shows the use of duw when describing the division of light and darkness.Tatoeba #8752085 by Akenaseryan, translation #7928931 by carlosalberto
- Credaf mewn Duw.I believe in God.
- Diolch i'r Arglwydd.Thanks to the Lord/God.
Example conversation
Elowen and Dylan are discussing a piece of ancient art.
- ElowenPwy yw'r duw hwn yma?Who is this god here?
- DylanDw inni ddim yn gwybod, Elowen.We don't know, Elowen.
- ElowenYdych chi'n meddwel ei fod yn dduw Rhugain?Do you think he is a god of the Rhine?
- DylanYn osnadol, mae'n bosib.Probably, it is possible.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “God” translations and entries duw, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries duw, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
