heddlu
/ˈhɛðlɨ̞/masculine
The English word 'police' is translated into Welsh as heddlu.
heddlu is used to refer to a local or general law enforcement agency.
Meaning: local or general law enforcement agency (noun)
Which one should you use?
The adjective form for 'police' is heddluol.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In North Wales, you may hear the informal variation y plismon to refer to the police.
How does it change in a sentence?
While the English 'police' is treated as a plural noun, the Welsh heddlu is a singular masculine noun. When you are referring to the police as a specific organization or the force in general, you use the definite article yr heddlu.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhɛðlɨ̞/
Did you know?
- The word heddlu literally translates to a 'host of peace', combining the words for 'peace' and 'host' or 'force'.
- The word llu, which forms the second half of heddlu, originally referred to a military host or an army in ancient Welsh.
- In Welsh, the concept of 'peace' hedd is used not just in heddlu but also in terms relating to treaties and diplomacy.
Examples in context
- Dywedodd Tom wrth y detectif heddlu nad oedd yn adnabod y dyn yn y llun.Tom told the police detective that he didn't recognize the man in the photo.This sentence shows how to use heddlu when referring to a police detective.Tatoeba #10575045 by SteCymru14, translation #6793188 by CK
- Gaeth bag Sami ei atafaelu gan yr heddlu.Sami's bag was seized by police.This sentence illustrates the use of heddlu when describing an action taken by the police.Tatoeba #11145807 by loch_nessie, translation #6696262 by OsoHombre
- Dywedodd Heddlu Dyfed-Powys y bu farw'r dyn yn y fan a'r lle wedi iddo gael ei daro gan gar Renault Clio coch.Dyfed-Powys police said that the man died at the scene after being hit by a red Renault Clio.This sentence shows a specific example of a police force using heddlu.Tatoeba #7832675 by sharris123, translation #7832862 by sharris123
Example conversation
Sian and Owain are discussing a car accident on the road.
- SianWyt ti wedi galw i'r heddlu?Have you called the police?
- OwainYdw, maen nhw ar eu ffordd ymlaen.Yes, they are on their way.
- SianDa, rydyn ni angen help yr heddlu yma.Good, we need the police's help here.
- OwainByddan nhw yma yn syth, Sian.They will be here straight away, Sian.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “police” translations and entries heddlu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries heddlu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
