cariad
/ˈkarjad/masculine
The English word 'love' is translated into Welsh as cariad.
cariad is the most common word for 'love' in Welsh, referring to the feeling of strong affection. Beyond the abstract concept, it is also frequently used to mean 'sweetheart' or 'darling'.
Meaning: strong affection (noun)
Which one should you use?
While cariad is the noun for 'love', the verb 'to love' is 'caru'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun cariad is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkarjad/
When do people say it?
A related concept in Welsh culture is 'cwtch', which describes a warm, affectionate hug.
Did you know?
- In some Welsh dialects, calling someone cariad can be used ironically or as a way to soften a reprimand, similar to 'dearie' in some English dialects.
- If you call someone your cariad, you are using a masculine noun, even if the person you are speaking to is female.
- The root of cariad is related to the concept of 'care' in English, as both stems trace back to the idea of feeling concern or affection.
Examples in context
- Ydy cariad yn bodoli?Does love exist?This sentence demonstrates the use of cariad as the noun for love.Tatoeba #1978941 by Sisial, translation #1743386 by CM
- Be' sy'n bod, cariad?What's the matter, love?This sentence shows cariad being used as a term of endearment.Tatoeba #1979484 by Sisial, translation #3688297 by tom0483
- Mae'n amlwg i bawb ei fod e mewn cariad.It's evident to everybody that he's in love.This sentence uses cariad to describe being in a state of love.Tatoeba #1979478 by Sisial, translation #284336 by CM
- Cariad, dw i'n dy garu di.Love, I love you.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rhys and Catrin are talking about their relationship.
- RhysMae cariad yn bwysig iawn i mi.Love is very important to me.
- CatrinYn union, Rhys. Mae'n dynbywyll.Exactly, Rhys. It is wonderful.
- RhysRwyt ti'n fy ngerbyll, cariad.You are my darling, love.
- CatrinDiolch, mae cariad yn ein cadw ni.Thank you, love keeps us together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “love” translations and entries cariad, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
