morlo
/ˈmɔrlɔ/masculine
The Welsh word for 'seal' (the animal) is morlo. Wiktionary also lists moelrhon and broch môr.
Meaning: pinniped (noun)
Ways to say it
| Welsh | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| morlo | /ˈmɔrlɔ/ | masculine |
| moelrhon | ||
| broch môr | /broːχ moːr/ (word by word) |
The terms are used to refer to pinnipeds, the group of marine mammals that includes seals.
Which one should you use?
morlo is a masculine noun, while moelrhon and broch môr are alternative terms for the animal.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmɔrlɔ/
Did you know?
- In Welsh coastal folklore, the seal is often seen as a shapeshifter that can discard its skin to walk on land as a human.
- The term morlo identifies the seal as a 'sea calf', reflecting an ancient pattern of naming marine mammals as aquatic versions of livestock.
- The word broch specifically describes animals with a coarse or bristly texture, which is why it was applied to both seals and badgers.
Examples in context
- Gwelais i morlo ar y traeth.I saw a seal on the beach.
- Mae'r morlo yn dod yn agos.The seal is coming closer.
Example conversation
Rhiannon and Dylan are walking on the beach.
- RhiannonEdrychwch, Dylan! Mae morlo yna.Look, Dylan! There is a seal there.
- DylanO, mae'n edrych yn gwyn iawn.Oh, it looks very white.
- RhiannonYdy'r morlo yn cysgu?Is the seal sleeping?
- DylanYdyn, mae'n rhyfol iawn.Yes, it is very peaceful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “seal” translations and entries morlo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (broch, môr) and can differ in connected speech.
