100 essential phrases in Cornish for Cornish learners — Learn Cornish

100 essential phrases to help you learn and speak Cornish

The Cornish Coast, Copyright: iStock

Greetings and Basic Phrases

1. Dydh da! — Good day!
2. Dydh da, ow hena! — Good morning, my friend!
3. Nos da! — Good night!
4. Pynn ow kelwel! — Nice to meet you!
5. Mar pleg. — Please.
6. Me a vynn… — I would like…
7. Dy’ wreth… — Can you do…?
8. Gorthugher dhywgh! — Welcome!
9. Diolch! — Thank you!
10. Gorthugher, lowen! — Welcome, friend!

Personal Information

1. Piw a’gas? — Who are you?
2. Ow hanow yw… — My name is…
3. Me a vynn dhemmi. — I am from…
4. Pyth yw dha? — What is your name?
5. Me a vynn… — I am from…
6. Me a vynn… — I am a student.
7. Me a vynn… — I work as…
8. Yw dhywgh wel? — Are you well?
9. Me a yll… — I can…
10. Ny yllugh me… — I cannot…

Everyday Activities

1. Ow krogow yw… — My hobbies are…
2. Me a vynn gweres! — I like to walk!
3. Me a vynn gweles film! — I like to watch films!
4. Yma meynow! — There is a problem!
5. Me a vynn dremmyn! — I want to travel!
6. Me a vynn y’n kafe. — I want to go to the café.
7. Me a yll gweles! — I can see!
8. Me a yll komprenn. — I can understand.
9. Me a vynn dhemmi. — I want to eat.
10. Me a yll gwrddhy. — I can meet.

Ordering Food and Drink

1. Me a vynn… — I would like…
2. A yll me gasa? — Can I have…?
3. Me a vynn dyski. — I want to drink.
4. Me a vynn bardh. — I want a beer.
5. Me a vynn kestrys. — I want tea.
6. Pyth yw an menu? — What is on the menu?
7. Me a vynn meth! — I want coffee!
8. Dhe wor ow fer. — Here is the check.
9. Me a vynn diwari. — I would like dessert.
10. Me a vynn ta. — I want water.

Asking for Directions

1. Pyth yw an dhevel? — What is the address?
2. Pyth yw an worr? — Where is the station?
3. Yma’n pyth? — Where is it?
4. A yw an lann yma? — Is the hospital here?
5. Me a vynn hwerth. — I want to buy.
6. Yma meynow yn an worr? — Are there problems at the station?
7. A yll me ges! — Can I get there?
8. Pyth yw an tu yn a-hens? — What is the way to the house?
9. Ew an taves omma? — Is the shop here?
10. Yma an kafe yn a-‘ta? — Is the café over there?

Emergency Phrases

1. Hwi a vynn help! — You need help!
2. Me a vynn medhyn! — I need medicine!
3. A yw an gath? — Is there a doctor?
4. A yw gath an tes? — Is there a nurse?
5. Me a vynn padron. — I need a bandage.
6. Me a vynn awen. — I need an ambulance.
7. Me a vynn help. — I need help.
8. Me a yll… — I can…
9. Me a vynn… — I want to…
10. Me a vynn y’n les. — I want to be safe.

Shopping

1. Pyth yw an pris? — What is the price?
2. A yll me gasa… — Can I buy…?
3. Me a vynn y’n ffer. — I want to buy at the shop.
4. Me a vynn… — I would like…
5. Me a vynn dy’s i’n ffer. — I want to go to the shop.
6. Yma an gwerth gwrys! — There is a discount!
7. A yll me ges… — Can I have…?
8. A yll me wynn… — Can I buy…?
9. Me a vynn… — I am looking for…
10. A yw an borth yma? — Is the port here?

Travel and Transport

1. Me a vynn koth! — I want to travel!
2. Me a vynn… — I would like…
3. Pyth yw an gath? — Where is the bus?
4. A yw an tren ow sel? — Is the train on time?
5. Me a vynn gorthugher. — I need a taxi.
6. A yw an karr roan? — Is the car ready?
7. Me a vynn gorthugher. — I want a lift.
8. Me a vynn hweg! — I want to leave!
9. A yw an tren yn hir? — Is the train late?
10. Me a vynn pryn! — I want to buy!

In the Hotel

1. A yw’r gath? — Is there a room?
2. Me a vynn gath y’n gath! — I need a room!
3. A yll me ges y’n gath? — Can I have a room?
4. Me a vynn dyski. — I want to check out.
5. Me a vynn y’n das. — I want to stay another night.
6. Me a vynn y’n ewn. — I want to change rooms.
7. Me a vynn pryn! — I want to book!
8. Me a vynn… — I would like to reserve…
9. Yma’ ga’ treth? — Is there a charge?
10. Me a vynn… — I would like a quiet room.

Social Interactions

1. Pyth yw an new? — What is new?
2. Me a vynn chons. — I would like to meet.
3. Pyth yw an fer? — What time is it?
4. Me a vynn chons. — I would like to visit.
5. Me a vynn kwin! — I want to dance!
6. Me a vynn y’n warth. — I want to relax.
7. Me a yll kwyt. — I can talk.
8. Me a vynn gwerth. — I want to chat.
9. Pyth yw an taves? — What time is the event?
10. Me a vynn cha’ diwedh. — I would like to end.