Welsh pronunciation isn’t just about memorising letters - it’s about sounds that don’t exist in English. And no, shouting 'LLANFAIRPWLLGWYNGYLLGOGERYCHWYRNDROBWLLLLANTYSILIOGOGOGOCH' louder won’t help. Here’s how to actually get it right.
The 'll' sound: Stop pretending it’s a 'cl'
English speakers tend to replace 'll' with 'cl' or just skip it entirely. Both are wrong. The Welsh 'll' is a voiceless alveolar lateral fricative - which sounds fancy, but here’s how to do it:
- Place your tongue like you’re about to say 'l'.
- Now, blow air around the sides of your tongue. No voice, just hissing.
- If it sounds like a cat disapproving of your life choices, you’re close.
Llanfair
/ɬan.vair/Vowels: Short doesn’t mean silent
Welsh vowels are either short or long, and the difference changes meanings. For example:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| tan | /tan/ (short 'a') | until |
| tân | /taːn/ (long 'a') | fire |
The circumflex (â, ê, etc.) marks a long vowel. Ignore it, and you’ll confuse fires with deadlines.
The 'ch' sound: Not just coughing
It’s the same as in Scottish 'loch' or German 'Bach'. If you’re hacking like you’ve swallowed a fishbone, you’re overdoing it. Try this:
- Say 'k', but move the sound further back in your throat.
- Keep it voiceless - no vibration.
Bach
/baːχ/“Small”
For more on Welsh adjectives like 'bach' and 'mawr', check our other guide.
Stress: It’s always on the penultimate syllable (probably)
Welsh generally stresses the second-to-last syllable. 'Caru' (to love) is 'CA-ru', not 'ca-RU'. But there are exceptions, like loanwords (e.g., 'teledu' - TV - stresses the 'le').
Bonus: Words to practise (and impress)
- Cwtch (/'kʊtʃ/): A hug or safe space. Not to be confused with 'clutch'.
- Hwyl (/'huː.ɪl/): Fun, but also a sailing term. Context matters.
- Diolch (/'diː.ɔlχ/): 'Thanks'. Nail the 'ch', or it’s just 'diol' (which means nothing).
For deeper cultural context, see our guide to decoding Welsh song lyrics.
Final reality check
Welsh isn’t phonetic to English ears, but it’s consistent. Once you learn the rules, you won’t need to guess. And yes, that includes 'Pwy sy’n mynd i’r afon?' (Who’s going to the river?).
