Menyw

Menyw is a Welsh noun meaning "woman" or "adult female." It is used to refer to women in general or to a specific woman in neutral or formal contexts. The term is common in Modern Welsh and appears in everyday speech as well as in literature and official writing.

Grammar and usage: Menyw is feminine. The standard plural form is menywod, used when referring to more than one woman. In sentences, menyw behaves like other common feminine nouns in Welsh, appearing with the appropriate article and possessive forms depending on the grammatical context. It is distinct from related terms such as gwraig (often meaning wife) and merch (girl or daughter), which can carry different nuances in usage.

Etymology and history: The word is an old and established part of the Welsh lexicon. It traces back to the history of the Welsh language and has cognates in the broader Celtic language family, with attestations in Middle Welsh manuscripts and continued use in Contemporary Welsh.

Cultural context: In Welsh-language literature and discourse, menyw appears in a range of registers, from everyday conversation to poetry and scholarly writing. The term is complemented by various descriptive phrases and compounds that specify age, status, or role, reflecting common patterns of Welsh expression for people and families. Overall, menyw remains the standard, widely understood word for a woman in modern Welsh.