Pronunciation Guide

Pronouncing Names in the Hafod Region

The Hafod region draws inspiration from Wales, and many of its Pokémon names, places, and characters are influenced by the Welsh language. Welsh has unique sounds and letter combinations that may be unfamiliar to those who haven't encountered the language before. This guide will help you understand how to pronounce key sounds, making it easier to say the names of Hafod Pokémon as they were meant to be heard.

Each Pokémon’s page includes a pronunciation guide, but if you’d like a quick reference for specific Welsh sounds, you can find all the details here. 

Vowels

A – Pronounced like the "a" in cat

E – Pronounced like the "e" in bet

I – Pronounced like the "ee" in see

O – Pronounced like the "o" in pot

U – Pronounced like the "ee" in see in South Wales, but more like the French "u" in North Wales

Y – Has two pronunciations: In most words, it sounds like the "uh" in sofa but in final syllables, it sounds like the "ee" in see

Consonants

C – Always a hard "k" sound, like cat 

CH – A harsh, throaty sound like the "ch" in loch or the German Bach

DD – Sounds like the "th" in this 

F – Sounds like "v" in van 

FF – A sharp "f" sound like fish 

G – Always hard, like go, never like giraffe

LL – A breathy, hissed "hl" sound, unique to Welsh. Try saying "h" and "l" at the same time

NG – Like the "ng" in sing, but at the start of a word, it's more like "ng-g"

RH – A breathy "r" sound, almost like a whispered "hr"

TH – Sounds like the "th" in thin

Diphthongs

AE: Similar to the English "eye"

AI: Like the "i" in "kite"

AU: Similar to "eye" with a rounded closing sound

AW: Like "ow" in "cow"

EI: Similar to "ay" in "say"

EU: Like "ay" in "say," but with a rounded closing sound

EW: A combination of "eh" and "oo" said quickly

IW: Like "you" with a short "i" sound

OE: Similar to "oy" in "boy"

OW: Like "o" in "home"

UW: Similar to "ew" in "few"

WY: Usually like "oo-ee" in "gooey", but in some words, it sounds like "wi" in "win"