Language/Welsh/Grammar/To-Be-and-To-Have
Welsh, a Celtic language native to Wales, is known for its unique pronunciation, fascinating grammar and rich culture. In this lesson, we will focus on two of the most important Welsh verbs: 'to be' and 'to have'. By the end of this lesson, you will understand their usage and be able to conjugate them in present tense.
To Be
The verb 'to be' is used to describe a state of being or existence. The verb does not change according to the subject of the sentence, but it can change according to the tense. In Welsh, 'to be' is 'bod'.
Conjugation of 'Bod'
Here is how to conjugate 'bod' in the present tense for each personal pronoun:
Welsh | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
rydw i | "ruh-doo ee" | I am |
rwyt ti | "roo-eet tee" | You are (singular) |
mae e/o hi | "my-ee / huh" | He/she/it is |
rydyn ni | "ruh-din nee" | We are |
rydych chi | "ruh-dikh chee" | You are (plural) |
maen nhw | "myen nuh" | They are |
Note that the word 'rydw' is used for the first person singular. However, some speakers may use 'dwi' instead.
Examples
Here are some examples of how 'bod' is used in context:
- Rydw i'n cymryd gwersi Cymraeg. (I am taking Welsh lessons.)
- Rwyt ti'n siarad Cymraeg yn dda iawn. (You speak Welsh very well.)
- Mae e'n gweithio yn yr archif. (He works in the archive.)
- Rydyn ni'n dysgu Cymraeg gyda'n gilydd. (We learn Welsh together.)
- Rydych chi'n mwynhau'r gŵyl. (You are enjoying the festival.)
- Maen nhw'n byw yng Nghymru. (They live in Wales.)
To Have
The verb 'to have' is used to indicate possession, obligation or necessity. In Welsh, 'to have' is 'cael'. Like 'bod', 'cael' does not change according to the subject of the sentence but can change according to the tense.
Conjugation of 'Cael'
Here is how to conjugate 'cael' in the present tense for each personal pronoun:
Welsh | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
(f)i'n cael | "(vee)n keil" | I have |
(t)i'n cael | "(tee)n keil" | You have (singular) |
mae ganddo/ganddi e/o hi | "mye gan-do / gan-dih / huh" | He/she/it has |
(ni) yn cael | "(nee) in keil" | We have |
(chi) yn cael | "(chee) in keil" | You have (plural) |
mae ganddyn nhw | "mye gan-din nuh" | They have |
Note that the words 'f'i' and 't'i' stand for 'myself' and 'yourself', respectively. They are not separate personal pronouns, but reflexive pronouns.
Examples
Here are some examples of how 'cael' is used in context:
- Finnau'n cael dawnsio gyda ti. (I get to dance with you.)
- Tithau'n cael dim amser i dy hunan. (You do not have time for yourself.)
- Mae ganddo ddwy gi. (He has two dogs.)
- Gennym ni lawer o fywyd. (We have a lot of life.)
- Ga' i fynd i'r dafarn gyda chdi? (Can I go to the pub with you?)
- Maen nhw'n cael blas ar y cawl. (They have a taste for the stew.)
Congratulations, you have learned how to conjugate and use the essential Welsh verbs 'to be' and 'to have'. Keep practicing and soon you'll be able to use them in conversation with ease.
Other Lessons
- The article
- Question Words
- Using Conjunctions
- How to Use Have
- Future Tense
- Personal Pronouns
- Describing Actions
- Give your Opinion
- Adjectives