KESCOWS NEBES MOY
CORNISH FOR EVERYDAY LIFE
Second Edition
Ian Jackson
Supplementary to Gerlyver Kescows
and continuously reviewed and expanded
SECTION 7
HOME
Last updated: 27 February 2025 (17:00)
You can download this section in pdf format here
or scroll the whole wordlist as webpage text
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.
7-A STRUCTURE
astell tâlenep f estyll fascia board
astell teweth f estyll weatherboard
balegva f balegvaow [overhanging] balcony
balegva Frynk f balegvaow French balcony
bùngalow m bùngalows bungalow
chy dystak m treven detached house
crowjy m crowjiow one-room house
daras adenewen m darajow side door
daras arâg m darajow front door
daras adhelergh m darajow back door
daras fenester m darajow French door(s) / window(s)
daras gorthtan ‖ m darajow fire door
daras leur m darajow trap-door
fenester derevel f fenestry sash window
fenester dormer f fenestry dormer-window
fenester to f fenestry skylight
gevelljy ‖ m gevelljiow ‖ semi-detached house
gorthsogen f dampcourse
grisfordh ‖ f grisfordhow stairway
gwedrans dewblek m double glazing
gweyth predn m woodwork
jist m jîstys joist, girder
kenkyth f kenkythyow villa
kilbost ‖ m kilbostow ‖ doorpost
kilfenester ‖ f kilfenestry ‖ bay-window
leghven ‖ m leghveyn ‖ flag[stone]
meyndy m meyndiow stone house
min an to phr eaves
morthol daras m mortholow door knocker
nenbren ‖ m nenbrednyer ‖ [ceiling] beam
oryel m oryels gallery
parwys m parwysy partition; party-wall
pedn an daras phr lintel (of door)
pedn an fenester phr lintel (of window)
penty m pentiow cottage
penty sowl m pentiow thatched cottage
pentys m pentysyow penthouse (all senses)
plaster m plaster
plethweyth ‖ ha pry phr wattle and daub (historical)
poyntyans m pointing
res stairys f rêsyow flight of stairs / steps
styll m styllyow rafter
tias m roofing
to cala m tohow thatched roof
trùssa m trùssys truss
veranda m verandas veranda
7-B ROOMS, SPACES
an leur avàn (awartha) m top floor
an leur awoles m ground floor
an leur cres m mezzanine [floor]
an leur isella m basement
an leur kensa m first floor
attêsva f attêsvaow toilet
chy bian m toilet
garth m & f gardhow (gerdhyer) yard
gorstevel f gorstevelyow anteroom
hunjy m hunjiow ‖ dormitory
kegyn adhelergh (kilgegyn ‖) f kegynow scullery
kegyn wor'musur (kegyn dhesedhys) f kegynow fitted kitchen
kegynyk f kegynygow kitchenette
parleth m parledhow parlour
pedn stairys m landing
pentys m pentysyow penthouse (all senses)
rom bêwa m rômys living room
rom flehes m rômys flehes playroom
rom recêva m rômys reception room
set a rômys m settys suite (hotel etc)
set demedhyans m settys bridal suite
set presydencyal m settys presidential suite
spens m spencys larder, pantry
stûdyô m stûdyôs studio
talgell f talgellow buttery, pantry
7-C FIXTURES AND FITTINGS
astell losten f estyll skirting-board
balùster m balùstrow banister, balustrade
clethren dadô f clethrednow dado rail
clethren pyctours f clethrednow picture rail
cofyr saw m cofrow safe
cornys m cornyssyow cornice
leur parkê m parquet floor
leurlen a'n eyl fos dh'y gela phr wall-to-wall carpet
lynôleùm m lino[leum]
taclow lâcys ha stagys phr fixtures and fittings
tapît m tapîtys tapestry; carpet
tapît desedhys m tapîtys fitted carpet
valans m valancys pelmet
wainscot m wainscot
7-D FURNITURE
amary gwely m amarys bedside cabinet
bord lestry m bordys sideboard
bord screfa m bordys writing desk, escritoire
bùffet m bùffettys corner cupboard
bûrô m bûrôs bureau
cader askellek f caderyow wing chair
chair brehek serth m chairys straight backed chair with arms
chair hir m chairys settle
chair lesca m chairys rocking-chair
chair medhel m chairys easy chair
chair serth m chairys straight backed chair
chair uhel m chairys high chair
esedhva eglos f esedhvaow pew
gorheryans mebyl m upholstery
gùtrel medhel m gùtrolow soft furnishings
gwely bian m gweliow cot
gwely mynk m gweliow bunk bed
gwely nenlen ‖ m gweliow four-poster bed
kyst dyllas f kystyow chest-of-drawers
latha m lathys slat
lyverva f lyvervaow bookcase
moos omwysca f mosow dressing-table
neyth mosow m neythow nest of tables
predn gwely m prednyer bedstead
scavel pyanô f scavellow piano stool
scavel trythroos f scavellow three-legged stool
tâbel nos m tâblys bedside table
tùttyn (scavel droos / dreys) m tùttydnow footstool
7-E SMALL CHILDREN
cawn gwary (pyssîn flehes) m cawnow paddling pool
corlan wary f corladnow gwary play pen
margh lesca m mergh rocking-horse
pottyk m pottygow potty
presep kerdhes m presebow kerdhes carrycot
teddy-ber ‖ m teddy-bers ‖ teddy[-bear]
tegen vedhel f tegednow medhel soft toy
7-F BEDROOM, BATHROOM
bason omwolhy m basons washbasin
clout omwolhy m cloutys flannel
dyllas gwely m dylajow bedclothes
floss denjak m dental floss
flossya v floss
gobedner (pednwely ‖) m gobeneryow pillow
golgh ganow m mouthwash
gorher gobedner m gorheryow pillowcase
gorthwhës ‖ m antiperspirant
gwask lavrak f trouser press
gwil troncas phr have a bath
is-gobedner m is-gobeneryow bolster
kewlet awartha m kewlettys bedspread, coverlet
kyst demedhy f kystyow trousseau
lûfa m lûfaow loofah
lydn seban m liquid soap
men pùmys m pumice [stone]
merhyk omwolhy m merhygow bidet
nappa dohajëdh m nappys afternoon nap
polter talcùm m talcum powder
pot chambour m pottow chamber pot
predn towellow m prednyer towel rail
strayl gwely m straylyow bedroom rug
tedna an dowr phr flush [the toilet]
valans m valancys valance
7-G KITCHEN, DINING ROOM
atal boos col food waste
atal dassteusya (eylgelghya) col recycling waste
atal kemmyn col general waste
bolla salad m bollys salad bowl
bord sygera m bordys draining board
cantol tê f cantolyow tealight
caraf m carafow carafe
clogh keus m clegh cheese bell
clos (rack) sygera f clojow drying rack (for crockery)
clout lestry m cloutys dishcloth
cogen f cogednow wooden bowl
coltrebyn (cantolbren ‖, chownler) m coltrebydnyer candlestick, candelabra
crackyor know m crackyoryon nutcracker
crûet m crûettys cruet
folen (dêlen) alùmynyùm f aluminium foil
gevel know f gevelyow nutcrackers (hand-held)
gwara gweder m glassware
gwynsel wakhe ‖ f gwynsellow extractor fan
gwyver degea m gwyvrow wire closure
kenen vytel f cling-film
kybel lestry f kyblow washing-up bowl
laun pysk m launow fish slice
lo ledan f loyow ladle
lydn golhy lestry m washing-up liquid
paper kegyn m kitchen toll
pycher m pychers pitcher
sagh atal m seghyer bin bag / liner
scùrryor m scùrryoryon scourer
straylyk tyller m straylygow place mat
teyladow adj compostable
vessyl m vessyls vessel
7-H LAUNDRY, CLEANING
aira v airairfrescor ‖ m airfrescoryon ‖ air freshener
amary aira m amarys airing cupboard
clos (rack) aira f clojow clothes-horse, drying rack (for clothes)
clout podn m cloutys duster
dehen scùrrya m cleaner (liquid)
doustya v dust
dowr cana m bleach
dowra v rinse
dygelyonor m fly paper; fly spray
ebyl dyllas m ebylyon clothes peg
êwnor padn m fabric conditioner
ewonel f ewonellow spray
gorra in glegh phr put in[to] soak
gwascubylen f gwascubylednow squeegee [mop]
gwias kefnys m cobweb(s)
hornella v iron
lînen dyllas f lînednow clothes line, washing line
lînen droyllek rag dyllas phr rotary clothes line
lydn dygalghhe ‖ m descaler
mopya v mop
omwhelseha ‖ v tumble-dry
padel podn f padellow dustpan
podn m dust (fine)
polter golhy m washing powder
remuvyor namow m stain remover
rolyor lienyow m rolyoryon mangle
scubya-sugna v vacuum-clean
scùrrya v scour; scrub
sebony v soap
sehador omwheles (towlor seha) m sehadoryon tumble dryer
sehador troyllya m sehadoryon spin dryer
shamy m shamys chamois leather
sôda golhy ms washing soda
sôda loscus m caustic soda
starchya (serthy) v starch
styfyor êrosol m styfyoryon aerosol [spray]
troyllseha ‖ v spin-dry
7-I NEEDLE, THREAD ETC
bësken ‖ f beskednow ‖ thimble
box gwrias m boxys sewing box
crafa v tack, stitch roughly
crochetya v crochet
crochetyans m crochet
crow najeth m crewow eye (needle)
cryghwrians ‖ m smocking
cryghwrias ‖ v smock
dasqwia v darn
dywria v unstitch
gwerthys f gwerthyjyow spindle
gwias wàr najedhow phr knitting
gwrèm m gwremyow hem
gwremya v hem
gwry m gwriow stitch (sewing); seam
heb gwry phr seamless (incl figuratively)
jyn gwrias m jynys sewing machine
jyn nedha m jynys spinning jenny
kelly magel phr drop a stitch
magel f maglow stitch (knitting)
magel adhyhow f maglow knit stitch
magel aglêdh f maglow purl stitch
nedha v spin
ros nedha f rosow spinning wheel
sampler m samplers sampler
7-J PLUMBING, HEATING, COOLING
airêwnans ‖ m air-conditioning
airêwnor ‖ m airêwnoryon ‖ air-conditioner
airlebyor ‖ m airlebyoryon ‖ humidifier
airsehador ‖ m airsehadoryon ‖ dehumidifier
an benbîbel f the main (water)
cappa pris nerth m energy price cap
cappa sugna m cappys plunger (for clearing drain)
carthpoll ‖ m carthpollow ‖ cesspit, cesspool
clavel f clavellys mantelpiece
côk m coke
côlyn [bew] m côlys [live] coal
côlyn marow m côlys cinder
cowethas dowr f cowethasow water company
creundobmer ‖ m creundomeryow ‖ storage heater
cûgh m cûhow cowl (of stove)
cunor tan m cunoryon firelighter
dowr vystyon m waste water
dowrargh ‖ f dowrarhow ‖ cistern
enesegyans m insulation
forn etewy f fornow wood-burning stove, wood burner
forn tobma f fornow domestic boiler
fylgethek adj sooty
geothermek adj geothermal
gevel tan f gevelyow fire tongs
glow cales m anthracite
glow coos m charcoal
glow dor (glow poll) m coal
glow mon m slack
glus stanchya m sealant
golosk m tinder
golow dysqwedhyans m golowys pilot light
gwelen tan f gwelyny poker
gwynsel tobma f gwynsellow fan / blow heater
hern tan pl fire irons
jynweyth ‖ tedna dowr m flush mechanism
ke olas m keow fender (hearth)
kelorn glow (trog glow) m kelornow coal scuttle
mailyas pîbellow m lagging (on pipes)
megynow pl bellows
musurel gass f musurellow gas meter
musurel ragtalas f musurellow prepayment meter
musurel skentyl f musurellow smart meter
musurel tredan f musurellow electricity meter
oyl cunys m fuel oil, heating oil
pib fednans f pîbow overflow [pipe]
pîbednow (pibweyth) plumbing
pÎben golghyon pîbednow discharge / waste pipe
pùmp tomder m pùmpys heat pump
scor effethter nerth m scôrys energy efficiency rating
skethen anowy f skethednow spill (for lighting)
sqwychel termyn f sqwychellow time switch
tan tredan m tanow electric fire (old-style)
tanen f tanednow spark (from fire)
tanvaglen ‖ f tanvaglednow ‖ grate
tap ha canel phr stop-cock
tap pellen m tappys ball-cock
testscrif ‖ effecsyon nerth m testscrîvyow ‖ energy performance certificate (EPC)
thermostat m thermostatow thermostat
tobmer budhys m tomeryow immersion heater
tobmer darwaya m tomeryow convection heater
tobmer dowr m tomeryow water heater, geyser
tobmer dystak m tomeryow stand-alone radiator
7-K ELECTRICS, LIGHTING
an bednwyver ‖ m the mains (electricity)
an Roosweyth Kenedhlek m the National Grid
bollen halogen f bolednow halogen bulb
capel istyn liesebyl m caplys multi-plug extension cable
chandelêr (coltrebyn crog) m chandelêrs chandelier
cunyjyth m cunyjydhyon fuel cell
denethor m denethoryon generator
flùorwolow ‖ m golowys fluorescent light
fros dydro m direct current (DC)
fros eylyansus m alternating current (AC)
diôd dylla golow m diôdow light-emitting diode (LED)
golow hirgul ‖ m golowys strip light
golow nenskyl ‖ m golowys recessed light, downlight
golowyans m lighting
gwynsva wàr an mor phr offshore wind farm
gwynsva wàr an tir phr onshore wind farm
in euryow le fysky phr off-peak
lînen dir f lînednow tir landline
neonwolow ‖ m golowys neon light
panel howlek m panellow solar panel
scochkelgh ‖ m scochkelhow ‖ short circuit
scochkelha ‖ v short-circuit intr
scudel loren f scudellow satellite dish
sensour (tavor) m sensours sensor, detector
solenoyd m solenoydow solenoid
sqwychel tewlhe ‖ f sqwychellow dimmer switch
sqwychel trebuchya f sqwychellow trip switch
tedherygva f tedherygvaow fuse box
tedheryk m tedherygow fuse
torrva (dyfygyans) tredan f power cut, blackout
tredanva gass f tredanvaow gas-fired power station
tredanva glow f tredanvaow coal-fired power station
tredanva sprusek (atomva) f tredanvaow nuclear power station
tùrbîn gwyns m tùrbînyow wind turbine
7-L GARDEN
amal losowek m emlow herbaceous border
avalednek (aval-lon ‖) f avalenegow orchard (apples)
basket crog m baskettys hanging basket
bath ÿdhyn m bathys bird bath
blejyowek f blejyowegow flower bed
boosor ÿdhyn m boosoryon bird feeder
chair plegya (cader heblek) m chairys folding chair
cletherweyth ‖ m trellis[work]
corryk lowarth m corrygow garden gnome
dor meur y bry (dor poos) m clayey soil
dor meur y dewas (dor scav) m sandy soil
dor meur y weras m rich soil
dowrhe ‖ v water
erber (erbyer) m erbers kitchen garden
flûrweyth ‖ m decking
frûtwëdh ‖ col frûtwedhen ‖ fruit trees
goskejwyth col bower
gwederjy ‖ (losowjy ‖) m gwederjiow ‖ greenhouse, glasshouse; conservatory
gwely crog m gweliow hammock
gwely lesk m gweliow swing seat
gweras (dêlbry ‖) m humus; humus-rich soil
gweras scavellow m mushroom compost
impyans m impyansow graft
jarn frûtys m jarns orchard
lawns m lawnjyow lawn
lo balas f loyow palas trowel
lôm m loam
lowarthorieth f horticulture
marl m marl
meynyk m meynygow small stone
overdevys adj overgrown
patyô m patyôs patio
peulge ‖ m peulgeow ‖ fence
pib dowr m pîbow hose[pipe]
pot flour m pottow flowerpot
pot plansa m pottow tub
prysklowek ‖ f prysklowegow ‖ shrubbery
pùb-bledhednek ‖ adj/m pùb-bledhenegyon ‖ perennial
rolyor m rolyoryon roller
roos gwyver f wire netting
scobmow men pl [stone] chippings
scobmow predn pl [wood] chippings
styken f stykednow stake
teyla v fertilize
teyla bas phr mulch verb
teylans m fertilizer
teylans bas m mulch
teylans creftus m artificial fertilizer
teylek f teylegow compost heap
tobmer patyô m tomeryow patio heater
togweyth ‖ m topiary
tomjy m tomjiow hothouse
trog plansa f trogow planter
whedn col whednen (whadnel) weeds
whedna v weed
whednladhor ‖ m weedkiller
whenogel f whenoglow hoe
7-M DIY
bord estyll m bordys trestle table
creftow chy pl do-it-yourself (DIY)
creosôt m creosote
cyment gweder m putty
gevel vian f gevelyow pliers
glanheor scubylen m brush cleaner
glenyas m adhesive
gorlus m superglue
gorlusa v superglue
gris m grîsys rung (ladder)
growt m grout
growtya v grout
growtyans m grouting
gwyras wydn f white spirit
gwyscas m gwyscosow coat (paint etc)
iswyscas ‖ m iswyscosow undercoat (paint etc)
lanwas m filler
mynk whel f myncow workbench
paper emery m emery paper
paper grow (tewesy) m sandpaper
serieth f carpentry
trestel m trestlys trestle
vernys m varnish
7-N STORAGE
bùssa m large jar (historically, for salting)
camfor m camphor (historical)
cunyjek f cunyjegow wood store
gwask dyllas f clothes press
gwithty glow m gwithtiow coal store
in pedn an chy phr in the roof
ispadna ‖ v line (drawer etc)
pelheor gowdhanas m moth repellent
sten m stênys earthenware jar
tregyn m tregydnow small drawer, compartment (jewellery box etc)
7-O MISCELLANEOUS VOCABULARY
anwyw avell trigva mab den phr unfit for human habitation
bond gwethyn (funen wethyn) m bondys elastic / rubber band
bûben f bûbednow wick
bystyon pl slops
cellofên m cellophane
daffar horn m ironmongery, hardware
ewonel kelyon f ewonellow fly spray
fardellans m packaging
gwel (gwelweyth) col wicker; rattan (loosely)
gwynsel f gwynsellow fan
hanafer m hanafers hamper
howllen ‖ f howllednow ‖ sunshade
kevalaf chy m equity (in mortgaged home)
lusewegyn m lusewegydnow ashtray
maghteth chy f meghtythyon housemaid
maghteth kegyn f meghtythyon kitchen maid
maghteth parleth f meghtythyon parlour maid
manbluv ‖ col fluff
nackyn paper m nackyns tissue (for nose etc)
paper kelyon m fly paper
paper owrlyn m tissue paper (for wrapping etc)
podyk tôby m podygow Toby jug
porslen m porcelain, bone china
pryweyth ‖ m pottery
scryf scraf phr odds and ends
scryp atorny m scryppys [lawyer's] briefcase
scryp cadnas m scryppys attaché case
scryp lewyador m scryppys pilot's case
sketh wor'wheth m skethow draught excluder
skeul an berhenieth phr the property ladder
sprynga m spryngys spring (device)
tiegedhor m tiegedhoryon householder
tiegeth m housekeeping
towellyk glëb m towelygow wet wipe
vern gales f lacquer
versel m verselow ferrule
wàr an clycket (cacha) phr on the latch
whel chy m whelyow housework
wrappya v wrap
wrappyans m wrapping
wrappyans bothlek m bubble wrap