twp
/tʊp/
The Welsh word for stupid is twp. Wiktionary also lists bal.
Meaning: lacking in intelligence (adj)
Ways to say it
| Welsh | IPA |
|---|---|
| twp | /tʊp/ |
| bal |
The term is used to describe someone or something that is lacking in intelligence.
Which one should you use?
twp is a more direct way to say someone is stupid, whereas bal is often used to describe someone who is acting foolishly or is a bit of a fool.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective twp does not change its form for gender or number in Welsh.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʊp/
Did you know?
- One theory suggests that twp was borrowed into Welsh from the English word 'tub', referring to a 'tub-fish' or a heavy, clumsy object.
- In some regional Welsh dialects, the intensity of twp can be modified by adding emphasizing particles to make someone 'extremely' stupid without changing the word itself.
- If you call a person twp in a Welsh-speaking community, you are often commenting on their lack of common sense rather than just their intellect.
Examples in context
- Beth sy'n bod wrthyt ti heddiw, twpsyn?What's wrong with you today, you little fool?
Example conversation
Catrin and Owain are arguing about a mistake.
- CatrinPam wnaئi hynny, Owain?Why did you do that, Owain?
- OwainDydw i ddim yn gwybod.I don't know.
- CatrinRwyt ti'n twp iawn!You are very stupid!
- OwainPeidiwch â dweud hynny.Don't say that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stupid” translations and entries twp, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries twp, CC BY-SA 4.0.
