ych y fi

[jenglc]

heya, im from cardiff and loadsa people around here say 'ych y fi' (i think thats how its spelt anyway) when they think somethings disgusting/horrible. i know its welsh, does anyone know what it means when its translated into english? thanks in advance, jen x

[Kay]

Hiya jenglc, another one from " Kairdiff" here! Like you, I say it when somethings sticky or dirty. Im not sure what it means in welsh but its spelt " Ach-yr Fe". I also say just " Dont touch that its Achy" as in Acheee.:--)

[Octavius]

The Welsh phrase "ach y fi", is some kind of mild expletive.  'Ach y fi' also spelt 'Ych y fi' is just an expression of disgust. The 'fi' is mutated 'mi' = I/me.  It's like the somewhat archaic "Ah, me!"  I believe similar expressions occur in other langs. The 'ach' or 'ych' is just an expression of disgust like the Scots 'ach!', English 'ugh', 'yuck' etc.

According to the BBC Welsh language site, the phrase simply means "ugh". 

[jenglc]

oh right, thanks you two, especially Octavius!

[blue_blue]

Actually, my grandmother, who was brought up in a welsh-speaking home, is too embarrassed to give me a proper translation of "ych a fi", but I understand it is very very rude/distasteful, possibly to do with faeces.