Dyddiad

Dyddiad is a Welsh term that refers to the concept of a 'day' within both everyday usage and cultural contexts. The word is derived from the Welsh word "dydd," meaning day, combined with the suffix "-iad," which is commonly used in Welsh to form nouns indicating a period or event. As such, dyddiad is essentially synonymous with the English word day, but it carries particular nuances in Welsh-speaking regions.

In everyday Welsh, dyddiad is used just as English speakers use day. It can denote a calendar day, a day of the week, or a specific period of time. For example, "bore dyddiad" means "morning of the day" and "hosia dyddiad" means "over the day." While the word is not specialized, it appears widely in Welsh literature, journalism, and conversation to describe temporal events.

The word also features in compound forms such as "dyddiad gwaith," meaning "working day," and "dyddiad nod," meaning "deadline" or "due date." These compounds are standard in Welsh public life, including business, education, and civic planning. Etymologically, dyddiad links to other Brythonic languages: in Breton it is "dé," and in Cornish it is "de."

Scholarly references indicate that the spelling and usage of dyddiad have remained stable since medieval manuscripts, underscoring its cultural persistence. The word is commonly taught in Welsh language education at primary and secondary levels, providing learners with a foundation for discussing time and scheduling.