Cardiff words & sayings
A light-hearted guide to the Welsh words, sayings and local lore you'll come across around Cardiff, and how (not) to use them on a date.
Welsh words
- Shwmae
- The south Wales way to say hello, pronounced roughly 'shoomy'. It's the Welsh for 'how are you?' and is used as a general greeting.
- In dating: Opening a first message with "shwmae" is a warm, light way to say hello. Just don't overdo it if you're not a Welsh speaker.
- Cwtch
- A cuddle, or a cosy little nook to snuggle into. Say it so it rhymes with 'butch'.
- In dating: Asking for a cwtch is lovely between people who know each other well. Maybe wait until at least the second date.
- Tidy
- Good, nice or impressive. A very south Wales way of giving approval.
- In dating: If someone describes your plan for the weekend as "tidy", they like it.
- Lush
- Lovely or delicious. It's used for anything from a meal to a view to a person.
- In dating: Describing a first date as "lush" is high praise in Cardiff.
- Butt
- A friendly word for a mate, common in south Wales, as in "alright, butt?".
- In dating: It's an affectionate greeting between friends. Use it sparingly with someone you've only just met.
- Cariad
- The Welsh word for love or darling, used as a term of affection.
- In dating: Save it for when you know each other well. It's a lovely thing to be called, but it's a big step for a first message.
- Hiraeth
- A Welsh word for a deep longing for home, or for a time or place that's gone. There's no single English word for it.
- In dating: It's a good word to share when you're talking about where you grew up and what you miss.
Cardiff lore and landmarks
- Cardiff Castle
- A castle in the middle of the city with Roman walls, a Norman keep and a richly decorated Victorian interior.
- In dating: A wander round the grounds followed by a coffee makes an easy, relaxed first date. Check opening times before you go.
- Bute Park
- A large park along the River Taff beside the castle, with wide paths, an arboretum and a café.
- In dating: A walk along the river is a classic first date. It's easy to shorten or stretch out.
- Cardiff Bay
- The waterfront area south of the city centre, once a busy coal port and now home to restaurants, cafés and the Senedd.
- In dating: A walk round the Bay, with a drink or a bite to eat, is a relaxed and flexible first date.
- The Principality Stadium
- Wales's national stadium in the heart of Cardiff, home of Welsh rugby and a host for big concerts.
- In dating: It's worth knowing early whether your date follows the rugby. Match days are busy, so check the fixtures before you plan.
- Wales Millennium Centre
- An arts centre in Cardiff Bay, with theatre, music and dance, and a big bilingual inscription across its front.
- In dating: A show here gives you something to talk about on the way home. Check what's on and book ahead.
- Castell Coch
- A fairytale Victorian castle on a wooded hillside just north of the city, near Tongwynlais.
- In dating: A trip here is a good second date idea, with a woodland walk and a lovely view. Check opening times before you go.
- Welsh cakes
- Small, round griddle cakes made with currants and dusted with sugar, traditionally eaten warm.
- In dating: Sharing a warm Welsh cake over coffee is a friendly, low pressure date. Expect firm opinions on butter or no butter.
- Cawl
- A traditional Welsh stew of lamb or beef with leeks and root vegetables, often eaten with bread and cheese.
- In dating: Suggesting a bowl of cawl on a cold day is a friendly date idea. Ask how they like theirs, but expect strong opinions.
Words change from one part of South Wales to the next, and what you hear in Cardiff isn't always what you hear in the valleys or the Vale. Got a favourite we've missed? Tell us when you join.
Don't be shy. Go and meet someone.
Put a few of these to use with singles who'll know exactly what you mean.