It’s Diwrnod Shwmae Su’mae (Picture: Getty)
Wales are set to be a formidable team in the Rugby League World Cup, but not only that, they have booked a place in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
They have played host to celebrities from the likes of Ryan Reynolds to David Hasselhoff.
There’s been plenty to celebrate and get excited about in Wales lately, and the Welsh pride doesn’t stop there as today is Shwmae Su’mae Day.
Celebrated annually on October 15, Shwmae Su’mae Day is an important event when it comes to celebrating the Welsh language in all its tongue-twisting glory.
But what exactly is it, and what does it mean?
What is Shwmae Su’mae Day?
Shwmae Su’mae Day – or Diwrnod Shwmae Su’mae in Welsh – is a day to celebrate and promote the Welsh language.
Shwmae and Sumae are informal greetings used in the south and the north respectively to start a conversation.
It was first marked in 2013 and has since been celebrated on October 15 each year.
It is used as an opportunity to promote the use of the Welsh language across the country, as well as inspire non-Welsh speakers to learn the language.
Gweirydd Davies, Head of Welsh Language at Transport for Wales Rail Services says:
‘October 15 every year is Diwrnod Shwmae Su’mae (Shwmae Sumae Day) and it promotes the idea of starting every conversation with a Shwmae or Sumae. It is an opportunity for everyone to get involved and speak some Welsh.
‘The Welsh language belongs to us all – a little or a lot, it’s our language. Everyone is welcome.’
Useful Welsh sayings and phrases
To help you on your way to marking this year’s Diwrnod Shwmae Su’mae, here’s a little introduction to the Welsh language with some useful greetings and phrases.
Cymru – WalesCymry – Welsh (people)Cymraeg – Welsh (language)Cymru am byth! – Wales forever!Bore da – Good morningPrynhawn da – Good afternoonNoswaith dda – Good eveningNos da – GoodnightHelô / Hylô – HelloShwmae? / Sut wyt ti? – How are you? (South)Su’mae / Sud wyt ti? – How are you? (North)Hwyl am nawr – Bye for now (South)Hwyl am rwan – Bye for now (North)Llongyfarchiadau – CongratulationsIechyd da! – Cheers! (Good health)Dw i’n dy garu di / Rwy’n dy garu di – I love you (formal / informal)
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Iechyd da!