KESCOWS NEBES MOY
CORNISH FOR EVERYDAY LIFE
Second Edition
Ian Jackson
Supplementary to Gerlyver Kescows
and continuously reviewed and expanded
SECTION 12
TRAVEL
Last updated: 28 February 2025 (18:00)
You can download this section in pdf format here
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The purpose of Kescows Nebes Moy is to enable Cornish conversation about most non-specialist subjects without the need to switch into English. A first edition appeared in 2018. Cornish vocabulary items not found in Gerlyver Kescows were presented for the first time in classified lists that take the learner beyond elementary vocabulary, enabling conversation about more technical topics that nonetheless form part of everyday life.
The first edition was necessarily quite experimental, and was confined to just five thousand entries. Much has been learned since the first edition appeared. This second edition is being developed in more comprehensive form on-line. In particular we are considering families wishing to speak Cornish in the home, as well as the challenge of establishing potential for teaching through the medium of Cornish in primary and secondary schools.
You can search for what you want in this section, by Cornish or English word, using find on page or ctrl f.
You can browse the list of sections currently available here
Click or tap here for the Appendix ‘Word Building‘ which explains the principles of compounding, prefixation and suffixation.
We are very grateful to Professor Nicholas Williams and Michael Everson for the opportunity to coordinate these lists with drafts of their Gerlyver Brâs.
If you are supportive of revived traditional Cornish and the Kernowek Standard spelling system, please let us know in the event you find any errors or think something might be improved.
A word has a single stress accent on the penultimate syllable in the absence of any specific indication. When this accent falls elsewhere, the underlined vowel marks the syllable which is stressed. The symbol ‖ after a word indicates that, instead of a single stress accent, two syllables of the word are given prominence. In the case of a disyllabic word the prominence is usually slightly stronger on the adjectival element.
For travel by water see 13 SHIP, BOAT
12-A RAIL
Some are now largely of historical interest
An Bib f The Tube (London)
an fordh fast f permanent way
ap tôknys m appyow ticketing app
arlenwel v top up (Oyster etc card)
arwedhans m signalling
asteveryans m refund (on season ticket)
bargen franchys m bargenys franchise
boosty gorsaf m boostiow station buffet
cabyn arwedhyow m cabyns signal box
caleterow arwedhans pl signalling problems
caleterow oberyansek pl operational difficulties
carven adhevîs f carvenow first class carriage
carven an gwethyas f carvenow guard's van
carven bufê f carvenow buffet car
carven cùsca f carvenow sleeping car
carven frodnel f carvenow brake van
carven glow f carvenow tender
carven nessa class f carvenow second class carriage
carven taw f carvenow quiet carriage
carven teylu f carvenow family carriage
caryach adhevîs m caryajys first class compartment
caryach cùsca f caryajys sleeping compartment
carygel bufê f carygellow buffet trolley
clethren vew f clethrednow bew live rail
crow jynys m crowyow engine shed
delyfryor train m delyfryoryon train dispatcher
den an arwedhyow m tus signalman
den bufê an train m tus on-board catering manager
derivas orth tremenysy (cosmers) phr passenger / customer announcement
dylâtys adj delayed, running late
dyvomeryow pl buffers
eseth ragerhys f esedhow seat reservation, reserved seat
eseth ragpoyntys f esedhow pre-assigned seat
eskyna wàr an train phr board verb
eskynleur ‖ m eskynleuryow ‖ platform
garth carg m & f gardhow (gerdhyer) goods yard
gortosva f gortosvaow waiting room
heb astel phr non stopping
hens horn cul m hensy narrow gauge railway
hens horn scav m hensy light railway
jyn arhow m jynys tank engine
jyn tôknys (tôkynador) m jynys ticket machine
jyn train m jynys locomotive
islînen ‖ f islînednow ‖ branch line
kes'hens m kes'hensy junction
kilfordh ‖ f kilfordhow ‖ siding
kyttryn gorthrians ‖ m kyttrynyow replacement bus [service]
ledras m ledrasow gradient
les an lînen phr gauge
lovanfordh ‖ f lovanfordhow ‖ funicular railway
menegor m menegoryon indicator board
mêster an gorsaf m mêstrysy stationmaster
mos dhywar an clethrednow phr derail; go off the rails (figuratively)
oberor hens horn m oberoryon rail operator, train operating company
pedn hens m pednow terminus
penlînen f penlînednow main line
pons kerdh m ponsow footbridge
powesva f powesvaow halt (stop between stations)
poyntys [hens horn] pl points
pris termyn le fysky m prîsyow off-peak fare
pris termyn moy fysky m prîsyow peak time fare
pyff-pyff m choo-choo
pyffya v puff, chug
railgarr dîsel m railgerry diesel rail car
rastel fardellow overbydn ‖ f rastelly overhead luggage rack
resys holergh phr overrunning (engineering works etc)
rom gortos m rômys waiting room
roos fardellow f rosow luggage rack (old-style)
shùntya v shunt
shùntyor m shùntyoryon shunter
skydnya dhywar an train phr alight verb
sodhva fardellow f sodhvaow left luggage office
taclow kellys pl lost property
tertôkyn m tertôknys season ticket
tobmen f tomednow embankment
tôkyn cay m tôknys platform ticket
tôkynor m tôkynoryon conductor, train manager
train carg m trainow goods train
train nos m trainow night train, sleeper
train udnrail ‖ m trainow monorail
tredanegyans m electrification
trester (treuster) m trestrow sleeper (track)
treusva leven f treusvaow level crossing
troghva f troghvaow cutting
trovord ‖ m trovordys ‖ turntable
trùck m trùckys truck
tyller fardellow m tyleryow luggage area / space
ugh-gradha i'n class adhevîs phr upgrade to first class
whelyow injynorieth phr engineering works
12-B ROAD
antremadow adj impassable
apposyans drîvya m apposyansow driving test
calanath dre dhrîvyans dybreder phr causing death by careless driving
calanath dre dhrîvyans peryllys phr causing death by dangerous driving
camber m camber
carrhens ‖ m carrhensy ‖ carriageway
caryans wàr an fordh phr road transport; road haulage
caryn fordh m carynyas road kill
caryor m caryoryon haulier
creslînen ‖ f creslînednow median line
culva f culvaow bottleneck, pinch point
degador kevelsys m degadoryon articulated vehicle
descador drîvya m descadoryon driving instructor
dyw geber alês phr two chevrons apart
fordh bro f fordhow country road
fordh dhyberth f fordhow dyberth junction
fordh lân f fordhow glân freeway
fordh sewajya f fordhow relief road
fordh tremen f fordhow by-pass
fordh vian f fordhow bian minor road
fordh-doll f road tax
for'let m for'lettys roadblock
gans cris addys phr souped up
gordoth m overdrive
gwyw dhe'n fordh phr roadworthy
hens dywros m hensy cycle lane / path
hensas m hensasow route
kert dyscarga m kertys tipper truck
kew gres f kewyow cres central reservation
keynfordh ‖ f keynfordhow trunk road
men mildir ‖ m meyn milestone (incl figuratively)
mêsya v hitchhike
mêsyor m mesyoryon hitchhiker
passya aglêdh phr undertake
pleg pydn blew phr hairpin bend
plegya in y hanter phr jack-knife verb
pons montolly m ponsow weighbridge
pons sînys m ponsow gantry
rypsaf m rypsavow lay-by
sygera v idle (engine)
tanker m tankeryow tanker
taweser m taweseryow silencer
taxymêter m taxymêtrow taximeter
tedna in mes phr pull out
todn an fordh phr road surface
toll i'n fordh phr pot-hole
tollbons ‖ m tollbonsow ‖ toll bridge
tollfordh ‖ f tollfordhow ‖ toll road
tro wàr dhelergh phr U-turn
whelyow fordh pl road works
12-C BUS
an leur avàn (awartha) m the upper / top deck
an leur awoles m the lower deck
caryans bùss heb còst phr free bus travel
cubmyas bùss m cumyasow bus pass
eseth herwyth otham phr priority seat
eskyna wàr an bùss phr board verb
kyttryn hens pell m kyttrynyow long-distance bus
kyttryn munys m kyttrynyow minibus
kyttryn nos m kyttrynyow night bus
kyttryn scol m kyttrynyow school bus
kyttryn tourystyon m kyttrynyow tour[ist] bus
menegor arâg m menegoryon destination / route indicator
skydnya dhywar an bùss phr alight verb
trollybùss ‖ m trollybùssow ‖ trolleybus
12-D CAR, CARAVAN
Some are now largely of historical interest
airsagh ‖ m airseghyer ‖ airbag
barr to m barrys roof bar
bond terdhys m bondys burst tyre, blowout
bônùs (dyscownt) heb goledna phr no claims bonus / discount
both f bothow wheel hub
càb m cabbys cab (taxi; also of lorry)
cantol f cantolyow spark plug
cappa both m cappys hub cap
cappa cunys m cappys fuel cap
cappa kevradnor m cappys distributor cap
caravan jyn m caravanow motorhome
carbùrador m carbùradoryon carburettor
cargva f cargvaow charge point, charging station
carr automaglen ‖ m kerry automatic (car with automatic gearbox)
carr creslu m kerry police car
carr cortesy m kerry courtesy car
carr coth dyfygys m kerry old banger
carr dîsel m kerry diesel car
carr dornvaglen m kerry manual (car without automatic gearbox)
carr heb drîvyor m kerry driverless car
carr kebmysk m kerry hybrid vehicle
carr kestrîf m kerry racing car
carr lenky cunys m kerry gas guzzler
carr masken m kerry hearse
carr patrôlya m kerry patrol car
carr petrol m kerry petrol car
carr rentys m kerry hire car
carr salûn m kerry saloon car
carr sportys m kerry sports car
carr stock m kerry stock car
carr tir m kerry estate car
carr tir garow m kerry off-road vehicle
carr tredanek m kerry electric vehicle
carr ûsadow sport m kerry sport[s] utility vehicle (SUV)
clos (rack) to f clojow roof rack
crafel f crafellow clutch
crafella v engage the clutch
cregans m suspension
cûgh m cûhow bonnet
dasstywya v respray
dornygel f dornygellow crank handle
drîvyans dorn cledh phr lefthand drive
drîvyor heb surheans phr uninsured driver
dyblom adj unleaded
dygrafella v declutch, disengage the clutch
dyrêwl thermek f thermal runaway
dyscor drîvyya m dyscoryon learner driver
dyvobmer m dyvomeryow bumper
frodn dhorn f frodnow hand brake
gans carr phr by car
golghyon skew wyns pl screen wash
gorra moy tro dhe2 phr rev [up]
gorthrew ‖ m antifreeze
gothen f gothnow tread (of tyre)
goyeynor m goyeynoryon radiator
gwelen maglednow f gwelyny gear lever
gwelen treuscorra ‖ f gwelyny transmission
gwelen vusura f gwelyny musura dipstick
gweres ryb an fordh phr roadside assistance
gwyvrow jùnya pl jump leads
herdhyans peder ros phr four wheel drive
herdhyans rosow arâg phr front wheel drive
jack m jackow jack (lifting device)
jackya v jack [up]
kentryn m kentrydnow accelerator, throttle
kilbedner m kilbeneryow head rest / support
kyst maglednow f kystyow gearbox
lugarn bian m lugern sidelight
lymosîn (lymô) m lymosînow limousine
menegor m menegoryon indicator
musurel cunys f musurellow fuel gauge
musurel toth f musurellow speedometer
musurel tro an jyn f musurellow rev counter
myrour tenewen m myrours wing mirror
myrour wàr dhelergh m myrours rear view mirror
pednlugarn ‖ m pednlugern ‖ headlight
perhenegy an hens cres phr hog the middle lane
pîben gorvok f pîbednow exhaust [pipe]
pil lythyùm-ion ‖ m pîlyow lithium-ion battery
pil stât solyd m pîlyow solid state battery
plack dyscor m plackys L-plate
plack [nyver] m plackys number plate
predn tedna m prednyer towbar
rekevrans m recovery (of broken down vehicle)
ros lewyas f rosow steering wheel
ros parys f rosow spare wheel
scor octân m scôrys octane rating
scostell f scostellow dashboard
sedha wàr an tinbren ‖ phr tailgate verb, sit on [someone's] tail
sensor hanaf m sensoryon cup holder
shùntyans adhelergh m rear shunt
slackya an kentryn phr throttle back
starn awoles m starnyow chassis
sùffra mothow (torrva) phr break down
sùmp m sùmpys sump
sureth m cover (insurance)
surheans compassus m comprehensive insurance
tagyth m tagydhyon choke
taxy munys m taxys minicab
tellyk bian m telygow slow puncture
tinbren ‖ m tinbrednyer ‖ tail board
treynyas m treynyasow tailback
trog to m trogow roof box
trosel frodna f trosellow brake pedal
tylda tenewen m tyldys awning (at side of caravan)
uhel-effecsyon ‖ adj high performance
uhel-octân ‖ adj high octane
vysour howl m vysours sun visor
12-E BICYCLE, MOTORCYCLE ETC
asen f asow spoke
bolhyn f bolhydnow inner tube
càb trosella m cabbys pedicab
ferfheor ‖ m ferfheoryon ‖ stabilizer
frankrôsya ‖ v freewheel
gwanas m gwanasow puncture
kildhylla ‖ v backfire (incl figuratively)
marhogeth pyllyon phr ride pillion
pollscoos ‖ m pollscosow ‖ mudguard
scûter m scûters scooter
scûter tredanek m scûters e-scooter
teyr-ros f teyr-rosow tricyle
trester (treuspren ‖) m tresters crossbar
udnros ‖ f unrosow unicycle, monocycle
12-F HORSEBACK, HORSE-DRAWN
càb hansom m cabbys hansom cab
carrvil m carrvilas carthorse
caryach dyw ros m caryajys gig
caryach ôpyn m caryajys open carriage
caryach uskys m caryajys fly
côcha brâs m côchys stagecoach
côcha kebmyn m côchys omnibus
corn m kern pommel (of saddle)
dyber benyn m dybrow side-saddle
dybra v saddle
dydhybra v unsaddle
dyllas marhogeth m dylajow riding costume
frodn dhall f frodnow dall blinkers
genva f genvaow bit
grugysa v cinch
gwas stâbel m gwesyon stable hand
gyg m gyggys gig
horn margh m hern horseshoe
kengel (torrgengel ‖) f kenglow girth
kentryn m kentrydnow spur
keynlen ‖ f keynlednow horsecloth
keyn-noth ‖ adj bareback
lavrak marhogeth m lavregow riding breeches, jodhpurs
margh pur y woos phr thoroughbred [horse]
margh tedna m mergh draught horse
marhak resegva m marhogyon jockey
mongar[en] f mongarednow horse-collar
paja margh m pajys groom
penfester m penfestrow headstall
sagh min m seghyer nosebag
sawgh m sawghyow load (of pack-animal)
scavgarr (scafcarr) m scavgerry trap
scavgarr (scafcarr) ha merhyk phr pony and trap
ser rosow m sery wheelwright
stâbel lyvery m stâblys (stâblyow) livery stable
stril (scryvel) m strîlyow currycomb
strîla v curry, rub down
strother f strotheryow pack-saddle
wàr geyn mergh phr on horseback
wàr lyvery phr at livery
whyp m whyppys whip
12-G AIR
Some are now largely of historical interest
airbark m airbarcow airfield
airednans m aviation, flying
airen dhobyl f airednow dobyl biplane
airen dryflek f airednow tryflek triplane
airen scav vunys f airednow scav munys microlight [aircraft]
airenjy ‖ m airenjiow ‖ hangar
airlester ‖ m airlestry ‖ airship, dirigible
arlenwel cunys phr refuel
berna v stack
brenyans sawder m safety instructions
carten eskyn f cartednow boarding card
checkva tremencubmyas ‖ f passport control
chy pedn hens m treven terminal [building]
class erbys m economy class
clùb liesgweyth ‖ m clùbbys frequent flyer programme
coll gwascas cabyn m loss of cabin pressure
comptyer (conter) omrolya m comptyers check-in counter / desk
controllyor daromres air m controllyoryon air traffic controller
cùbert overbyn m cùbertys overhead locker
cunys airen sostenadow col sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
dascafos fardellow phr reclaim baggage Sense is baggage reclaim when used as a noun
dascor fardellow phr check baggage in Sense is baggage check-in when used as a noun
der airbost phr by airmail
fardellow cabyn pl cabin / carry-on baggage
fardellow stras pl check-in baggage
flûr avàn m flûrys upper deck
flûr awoles m flûrys lower deck
flûr neyja m flûrys flight deck
frobmans m turbulence
gis neyj m flight /airplane mode
hens neyja m hensy flight path
herdhyans wàr dhelergh phr pushback
hosan gwyns f hosanow wind sock
in tremen phr in transit
iscaryach ‖ m iscaryajys ‖ undercarriage
jyn lînen air m jynys air liner
kengorror m kengororyon propeller
kilasen ‖ f kilasow ‖ tail fin
lester air m lestry airship
lost-tro ‖ f lost-troyow ‖ tailspin
mask oxygen m mascow oxygen mask
monoplain m monoplainys monoplane
nag yw tôwledys phr unscheduled
neyj Atlantek m transatlantic flight
neyj chartour m charter flight
neyj heb powes m nonstop flight
neyj rescous m rescue / evacuation flight
neyj tôwledys m scheduled flight
omrolyans automategys m automated / self-service check-in
patron mentêna m patronys holding pattern
powesva f powesvaow stopover
prës dallath m prejyow take-off slot
prës tira m prejyow landing slot
rolya (taxia) v taxi
scoch m scochys chock
scochys in kerdh! phr chocks away!
se tôwlel mes m sêys ejector seat
sin lâcya grugys m sînys fasten seat belt sign
stras carg m strasow cargo hold
stras fardellow m strasow baggage hold
styfairen f styfairednow jet [aircraft]
styfairen bryva f styfairednow pryva private / executive jet
styfvlinder ‖ m jet lag
taran sonek f tarednow sonic boom
toll air m tell air pocket
towl neyj m towlow flight plan
troyllyor m troyllyoryon rotor
12-H OUTER SPACE
airlock ‖ m airlockys ‖ airlock
dasentrans m re-entry
degador launchya v degadoryon launch vehicle
dorogaster ‖ m perigee
dralya v break up (on re-entry etc)
dybos adj weightless
dyboster m weightlessness
efander down m deep space
fugya dyskerheth phr simulate gravity (by Coriolis effect)
gorefander m hyperspace (only fictional)
gorsaf efander m gorsavow space station
gwednal (gwenhal) efander f gwenyly space shuttle
gweres dyskerheth m gravity assist
gwythres wàr ves phr extra-vehicular activity
herdhyans stubma m warp drive (only fictional)
howlbellsav ‖ m aphelion
howlogaster ‖ m perihelion
in whêlva phr in orbit
jyn herdhya m jynys thruster
jyn ionek m jynys ion drive
jynyk m jynygow capsule, module (especially in early space program)
jynyk comondya m jynygow command module (Apollo program)
jynyk cropya m jynygow probe (vehicle)
jynyk dasentra m jynygow re-entry vehicle
jynyk gwandra m jynygow rover
jynyk lorek m jynygow lunar module (Apollo program)
jynyk servya m jynygow service module (Apollo program)
jynyk tira m jynygow lander
jynyk whêlva m jynygow orbiter
kelghtro ‖ f kelghtroyow ‖ orbit (circuit)
kerdh in efander phr space walk
kilamowntyans m countdown
launchva f launchvaow launch pad
omdhehesy v (orth) collide (with)
omdhehesyans m collision
omjùnya v (dhe2) dock (with)
omjùnyans m docking
padellyk neyja f padelygow UFO, flying saucer
panel howlek m panellow solar panel
pellaboynt ‖ (dorbellsav ‖) m pellaboyntys ‖ apogee
porth omjùnya m porthow docking port
sawgh m sawghyow payload
stap m stappys stage (of rocket)
stubmfactor ‖ m warp factor (only fictional)
tirans medhel m soft landing
toth an golow m the speed of light
treustewynya ‖ v beam (as means of travel: only fictional)
unsys m unsysow unit, module (e.g. of International Space Station)
unsys anedhy m unsysow habitation module
uskytter scappya m escape velocity
whêlva f orbit (position)
whêlva dhorsevylyak ‖ f geostationary orbit
whêlva geokettermynek ‖ f geosynchronous orbit
12-I TOURISM
covro m covroyow souvenir, memento
dres tir phr overland
fordh an vuys teg phr scenic route
gwely ha hawnsel phr bed and breakfast
gwely ha sosten phr bed and board, full board
hanter-sosten ‖ phr half board
hirdravel ‖ m hirdravellys ‖ trek
kevran termyn f kevradnow timeshare
lenwys pùb rom phr no vacancies
vîsa m vîsas visa
12-J MISCELLANEOUS VOCABULARY
termyn jùjys rag devedhyans phr estimated time of arrival (ETA)
terviaj pùb jorna phr daily commute
terviajya v commute
terviajyor m terviajyoryon commuter