Free bilingual printable · Welsh-medium school · Parent guide
Welsh School Words for Parents: Free English–Welsh Printable
Is your child starting a Welsh-medium or bilingual school while you are still learning Welsh? This free Welsh school words printable gives parents quick English meanings for common vocabulary connected with lessons, reading, meals, PE and everyday school life.
You do not need to speak perfect Welsh to encourage your child. Keep this one-page A4 guide near school letters, the reading bag or your family noticeboard. It is designed as a starting point for recognising useful words—not as a replacement for the terminology, dialect and pronunciation used by your child’s school.
Printing: select “Print Printable”, choose A4 portrait and print at 100% or actual size. Only the vocabulary sheet is placed in the print window, preventing the article from creating extra pages.
A Welsh school vocabulary guide made for parents
Parents choosing Welsh-medium education do not necessarily speak Welsh themselves. You may be learning alongside your child, returning to a language heard in childhood or meeting Welsh regularly for the first time. None of those situations prevents you from showing interest in school life and supporting learning at home.
This guide focuses on recognition. If a message contains gwaith cartref, you can quickly identify that it concerns homework. If your child mentions amser chwarae, you will know they are talking about playtime. Recognising a few recurring terms can make school communication feel less daunting while your wider understanding develops.
Common Welsh school words and English meanings
| Welsh | English | Where parents may meet it |
|---|---|---|
| ysgol | school | School names, signs and general messages. |
| dosbarth | class | Class information, groups and classroom references. |
| athro / athrawes | male teacher / female teacher | Talking about teaching staff. A school may also use names or other titles. |
| pennaeth | headteacher | Letters, announcements and leadership information. |
| cofrestru | registration | The beginning of a session or attendance routine. |
| amser chwarae | playtime | Daily routines, playground conversations and timetables. |
| amser cinio | lunchtime | Meals, menus and daily schedules. |
| gwasanaeth | assembly or service | Whole-school or class gatherings; meaning depends on context. |
| gwaith cartref | homework | Home-learning instructions and school messages. |
| addysg gorfforol | physical education | PE timetables, curriculum information and kit reminders. |
| clwb ar ôl yr ysgol | after-school club | Childcare, activities and collection arrangements. |
Welsh words for books and school belongings
Llyfr darllen means reading book, while bag llyfrau literally identifies a book bag. Gwisg ysgol is school uniform, pecyn bwyd is a packed lunch, potel ddŵr is a water bottle and llythyr is a letter. These are useful terms to recognise, but a school’s preferred wording may differ.
Do not try to translate a full school message by replacing every word individually. Welsh sentence structure and mutations mean that a word-for-word method can produce the wrong meaning. Use the printable to spot the topic, then read the school’s English version where supplied or ask the school to clarify important instructions.
Short Welsh phrases parents can use
Bore da
“Good morning.” A friendly phrase to recognise and use at morning drop-off.
Prynhawn da
“Good afternoon.” Useful around afternoon sessions or collection time.
Da iawn
“Very good” or “well done.” Children frequently hear this as encouragement.
Os gwelwch yn dda
“Please.” The form shown is widely understood; natural spoken usage can vary.
Diolch
“Thank you.” A valuable everyday word even if it is the only Welsh you initially feel confident using.
Hwyl fawr
“Goodbye.” You may also hear shorter informal farewells in ordinary conversation.
How to support Welsh-medium learning when you do not speak Welsh
Begin with curiosity rather than pretending to know more than you do. Ask your child to show you a word, listen together to a school-provided recording or notice Welsh on local signs. Let your child see that adults can learn, make mistakes and try again.
For reading homework, follow the method demonstrated by the school. Welsh letter–sound relationships are not identical to English, and an improvised English pronunciation may confuse a beginning reader. Ask whether the school offers workshops, audio support, reading videos or recommended resources for parents.
Keep the focus on shared attention. You can discuss pictures, predict events and enjoy the story even while your child is developing Welsh decoding skills. If neither of you knows a word, mark it and ask rather than allowing the entire reading session to become a pronunciation test.
North Wales and South Wales differences
Welsh is one language with regional differences in vocabulary, pronunciation and familiar spoken forms. Online courses sometimes label material as northern or southern Welsh. Schools also develop their own consistent classroom language. A form that differs from this sheet is not automatically incorrect.
This is why the poster does not include simplified English-style pronunciation spellings. Such spellings can hide Welsh sounds, misrepresent local pronunciation and encourage habits that later become difficult to change. Listening to teachers and reliable audio produced for learners is a better route.
Checking an unfamiliar word safely
For routine vocabulary, use a reliable Welsh dictionary or official terminology resource. For instructions involving attendance, allergies, medication, trips, payments, collection or safeguarding, confirm the meaning directly with the school. Do not rely on a guessed translation when the consequences matter.
Welsh Government lists language support for parents and children, including resources aimed at families in Welsh-medium education. Learn Welsh also provides a parent-and-family resource with relevant vocabulary and background information. Those services are better places to continue learning than an isolated list of words.
Related Prydain resources for new school families
Frequently asked questions from parents
Can my child attend Welsh-medium school if I do not speak Welsh?
Many families explore Welsh-medium education without every adult speaking Welsh. Ask the individual school or local authority about its provision, admissions, transition arrangements and parent support.
What does gwaith cartref mean?
In an education context, gwaith cartref means homework. Welsh Government’s TermCymru records it as the education term for school homework.
What does amser chwarae mean?
Amser chwarae means playtime. It may appear on visual timetables and in everyday classroom language.
Why does a Welsh word sometimes change?
Welsh uses initial consonant mutations, so the beginning of a word can change according to grammar and surrounding words. The base vocabulary may therefore look different inside a sentence.
Does this guide include Welsh pronunciation?
No. Pronunciation varies regionally, and English-style respelling can be misleading. Use reliable audio or ask your child’s school how it teaches the word.
Will the vocabulary poster print on one A4 page?
Yes. Select Print Printable, choose A4 portrait and print at 100% or actual size. Only the poster appears in the print window.
Reliable next steps: visit Welsh Government’s Welsh language support and services, search official terminology through TermCymru, or explore Learn Welsh support for parents and families.
This free reference sheet offers general vocabulary, not certified translation or individual educational advice. Confirm important messages with the school. The layout and geometric book illustration are original to Prydain and contain no commercial characters, logos or externally sourced artwork.
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