Llaw

Llaw is a Welsh noun meaning hand. It is a native Welsh word written with the distinctive Welsh digraph ll, which represents a voiceless lateral fricative. In standard pronunciation, the initial sound is not found in English, giving the word a characteristic Welsh onset. The vowel sounds and stress can vary by dialect, but the form and meaning are widely understood in Wales.

The term is used throughout the Welsh lexicon to denote the body part and appears in a wide range of contexts, from everyday speech to anatomical or technical language. It also features in idiomatic expressions and phrases that relate to manual action, strength, or capability. The plural form is llawiau, which is used when referring to multiple hands.

Beyond its primary meaning, llaw can appear in other linguistic uses. It is occasionally found as a surname in Welsh-speaking communities and can appear in place names or literary titles as a lexical element. As with many language terms, the word’s usage may be enriched by regional dialect and historical context.

For readers studying Welsh, it is important to distinguish llaw from the English word law; they are not cognate in everyday usage, though learners may encounter them together in bilingual texts. Llaw remains a basic building block of everyday Welsh vocabulary related to the body and physical action. See also Welsh language, Hand (body part).