heddwch
/ˈhɛðʊχ/
The Welsh word for peace is heddwch.
heddwch is a noun meaning a state of being free from war. It can also be used as an exclamation to command silence or to call for calm in a situation.
Meaning: state of being free from war (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using heddwch as a greeting or a command is often perceived as archaic or highly formal/poetic in modern Welsh.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhɛðʊχ/
Did you know?
- Because heddwch can be used as a command for silence, shouting it in a modern setting can sound like a biblical or royal decree rather than a casual request for quiet.
- In traditional Welsh poetry, heddwch is often used as a metaphor for the stillness of nature or the silence of the grave, moving beyond the political definition of 'no war'.
- The pronunciation of the final 'ch' in heddwch is the same voiceless velar fricative found in the Scottish English word 'loch'.
Examples in context
- Heddwch.Peace.This sentence shows the use of heddwch as a simple exclamation.Tatoeba #8657576 by loch_nessie, translation #5366772 by GamalNemeri
- Mae'r cefn gwlad yn llawn tangnefeddThe countryside is full of peace
- Mae'r byd angen heddwch.The world needs peace.
Example conversation
Rhiannon and Rhys are discussing world news.
- RhiannonMae'r byd yn anstatws ar hyn o bryd.The world is unstable right now.
- RhysYdych chi'n meddwl y bydd heddwch yn dod?Do you think peace will come?
- RhiannonRwy'n gobeithio y bydd, Rhys.I hope it will, Rhys.
- RhysYn sydyn, mae hynny'n swnio fel gobaith.Suddenly, that sounds like hope.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “peace” translations and entries heddwch, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
