Nadolig

Welsh

Etymology

From Middle Welsh Nadolyc, Nadolic, from Proto-Brythonic *Nadọlɨg, a borrowing from Vulgar Latin nătālicius, from Latin nātālīcius (“birth, birthday”).

Pronunciation

• (North Wales, standard) IPA^(key): /naˈdɔlɪɡ/
  • (North Wales, colloquial) IPA^(key): /ˈdɔlɪɡ/
• (South Wales, standard, colloquial) IPA^(key): /naˈdoːlɪɡ/, /naˈdɔlɪɡ/
  • (South Wales, colloquial) IPA^(key): /ˈdoːlɪɡ/, /ˈdɔlɪɡ/

Proper noun

Nadolig m (not mutable)

1. Christmas

   Yfory yw'r Nadolig! ― Tomorrow is Christmas!

Usage notes

• Often accompanied by the definite article

  y Nadolig ― (the) Christmas

• Often clipped in speech and heard as 'Dolig

  Siopa 'Dolig ― Christmas shopping

Derived terms

• pwdin Nadolig (“Christmas pudding”)
• Ynys y Nadolig (“Christmas Island”)

Further reading

• R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “Nadolig”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies