SOS to Welsh Speakers

candi · Post by **candi** » 28 Sep 2005 21:36

I am looking for a Welsh word that is phonetically pronounced:

HEE RAYTH

It means a black melancholy longing after unnamable things, according to the man who told me the word after returning from a trip to Wales. He was enchanted by your country and his enthusiasm makes me want to visit more than ever. I have been enthralled by Dylan Thomas since childhood when I first read A Child's Christmas in Wales and curious about a place that could produce such genius.

Can you please tell me if you know this word, the correct spelling and whether I have the meaning right ? It is a brilliant word that perfectly describes what many of us feel so often, yet I have never heard of another word with quite the same meaning in any language.

Thank you and ciao,
candi

Toirdhealbhách · Post by **Toirdhealbhách** » 29 Sep 2005 00:42

Yes I know it, it is spelled HIRAETH.

I heard it is "when you long for something you had but you don't have any more".

Loops · Post by **Loops** » 18 Oct 2005 14:49

Hi I'm a Welsh speaker, and it is spelt Hiraeth, as the previous posting said.

Hiraeth has no literal translation in Welsh, it basically means longing, a sort of longing associated with things like homesickness, and hiraeth is classed as one of the most special words in Welsh.

Hope that helps!