Ddraig goch
The phrase "welsh dragon" in Welsh is Ddraig goch.
The term refers to the national symbol of Wales, which is depicted as a red dragon.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ddraig (dragon) and goch (red).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Welsh, the adjective goch follows the noun ddraig.
Did you know?
- According to ancient legend, the Ddraig goch represented the Britons in a symbolic battle against a 'white dragon' belonging to the Saxons.
- While goch means 'red', the word for 'red' when describing other objects is usually coch. The 'c' changes to a 'g' here because of a grammar rule called soft mutation.
- The letter dd in Ddraig is a single consonant that sounds like the 'th' in 'this', not two separate 'd' sounds.
Example conversation
Sian and Owain are looking at a souvenir shop.
- SianEdrychwch ar y ddraig goch yma!Look at the red dragon here!
- OwainMae hi'n edrych yn wych.It looks great.
- SianA fai dy fod yn ei phrynu?Would you like to buy it?
- OwainDo, byddaf yn prynu'r ddraig goch.Yes, I will buy the red dragon.