rhoi llaw ar yr aradr

Welsh

Etymology

From the Bible, Luke 9:62, see quotation.

Pronunciation

• (North Wales, standard) IPA^(key): /ˌr̥ɔi̯ ˈɬaːu̯ ar ər ˈaradr/
  • (North Wales, colloquial) IPA^(key): /ˌr̥ɔi̯ ˈɬaːu̯ ar ər ˈarad/
• (South Wales, standard) IPA^(key): /ˌr̥ɔi̯ ˈɬau̯ ar ər ˈaːradr/
  • (South Wales, colloquial) IPA^(key): /ˌr̥ɔi̯ ˈɬau̯ ar ər ˈaːrad/, /ˌr̥ɔi̯ ˈɬau̯ ar ər ˈarad/

Proverb

rhoi llaw ar yr aradr

1. (idiomatic) to put one's hand to the plough, to begin an undertaking
   • 1588, William Morgan, transl., Y Beibl : Y Beibl cyssegr-lan, 1st edition, London: Humphrey Toy, Yr Efengyl sanctaidd yn ôl S. Lᴠᴄ 9:1:

     […] nid oes neb a'r a rydd ei law ar yr aradr, ac a edrycho ar ei ôl yn gymmwys i deyrnas Dduw.

     […] No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.