Cwtch - Meaning, Translation and Pronunciation
Cwtch Rhymes with the English Word "Butch"
Cwtch (pronounced 'kutch', to rhyme with 'butch') is an everyday Welsh word for a special sort of cuddle or hug, an emotionally significant embrace. It also means a cubbyhole or cupboard; a small space in which to store things safely. Its popular use has led to the phrase, "Anyone can cuddle but only the Welsh can cwtch"!!
Cwtch - In Use with Welsh and English speakers
Cwtch is one of only a few words that are used by both Welsh and English speakers. English speakers use the word cwtch without any translation. Whilst cwtch is the standard spelling of the word, it is sometimes written as "cwtsh".
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Cwtch in the Oxford English Dictionary
The word "cwtch" is in the Oxford English Dictionary and was first published in March 2006. It is the most common Welsh word used untranslated in the English language!
The dictionary lists it with two main meanings, both as a noun and a verb, and notes its origin from Welsh English:
- As a noun:
- A cupboard or cubbyhole.
- A cuddle or hug, especially one conveying a sense of warmth, comfort, and security.
- As a verb:
- To cuddle or hug.
- To huddle, crouch, or squat.
Cwtch - a Noun and a Verb
Cwtch is used both as a noun and a verb. A person can give a 'cwtch' (a cuddle) to someone else, but you can also ask a person 'to cwtch up'. You can even explain that someone is 'cwtching' someone else! Here are some examples of the meaning of the word cwtch...
- It’s the hug you give someone which shows you really care about them.
- It’s the hug you give when your friend is upset.
- It’s the hug you give to your significant other half.
- It’s the hug you give to your pets.
- It’s the hug you give to a very good friend, who you haven’t seen in a while.
- It’s the hug you give your children.
- It’s the hug that reassures you and makes everything okay.
When you give someone a cwtch, it brings a safe haven and a sense of home.
The Cwtch or Cwtsh Debate
If Cwtch is a Welsh word, then the pronunciation of the letter ch (ch is one letter in Welsh) should be more like a Scottish word "Loch" and not like the ch in China. It is for this reason that more welsh speakers believe that that it should be spelt Cwtsh. We believe that both words are acceptable!
Cwtch Pronunciation
Cwtch is pronounced 'kutch' and it rhymes with the English word 'butch'.
Famous Examples of the word Cwtch
The word cwtch has been heard on television not least by the world-famous rugby referee, Nigel Owens. Nigel a Welsh speaker famously shamed some brawling rugby players on national TV when he said: “If you want a cwtch, do it off the field, not on it”. Also, the phrases, "anybody can cuddle but only the Welsh can cwtch" and "hugs are for everyone; cwtches are only for a few, very special people" have entered everyday usage in Wales. Apparently, the famous actress, Elizabeth Taylor said that "I just want to go and cwtch him (Richard Burton)".
COVID-19 Pandemic 2020 to 2022
During the pandemic of the early 2020's, the social distancing rules stopped people having a cwtch and this was referred to by many politicians. In particular, Elin Jones AM and the then Llywydd of the Senedd, ended a speech by saying that she wanted to give everyone a virtual cwtch.