Language/Welsh/Grammar/Using-Prepositions
Welsh is a language that uses prepositions to express relationships between words in a sentence. The prepositions in Welsh can be tricky, as their usage might be different from those in other languages. In this lesson, we will explore the most common prepositions in Welsh and learn how to use them correctly.
Welsh Prepositions
Welsh prepositions are small words that are placed before nouns or pronouns to form phrases that describe relationships between them. These phrases usually indicate the position of something in relation to something else. Some of the most common prepositions in Welsh are:
- "yn" - in, on, at
- "ar" - on, upon
- "wrth" - by, near
- "o" - from, of
- "gyda" - with
It's important to remember that, sometimes, prepositions in Welsh can have different meanings depending on the context. Therefore, it's essential to practice their use in context to master them.
An example of a prepositional phrase in Welsh:
| Welsh | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mae y ci yn yr ardd. | [maɪ i kɪ ən ər aːrð] | The dog is in the garden. |
In this case, "yn" is used to indicate the location of the dog in relation to the garden.
Placement of Welsh Prepositions
In Welsh, prepositions usually come before the noun or pronoun they relate to. However, one exception to this rule is the preposition "yn," which can also go after a verb to form a verb-noun combination. This happens, for example, when the verb is the equivalent of the English "to be."
Example:
| Welsh | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Dwi'n hoffi coffi. | [dʊiːn ˈhɔfɪ ˈkɔfi] | I like coffee. |
In this case, "yn" comes after the verb "dwi," forming the combination "dw i'n," which means "I am" in English.
Common Welsh Prepositions
Here are some of the most common prepositions in Welsh:
"yn"
"yn" is an essential preposition in Welsh, as it can mean "in," "on," or "at," depending on the context. It is also used to form verb-noun combinations.
Examples:
- Mae'r siop yn y dref. - The shop is in the town.
- Mae'r llyfr ar y ffenestr. - The book is on the window.
- Rydw i yn hoffi mynd ar dripiau. - I like going on trips.
"ar"
"ar" usually means "on" or "upon" and is used to indicate the position of something on top of something else.
Examples:
- Mae'r cwch ar y llyn. - The boat is on the lake.
- Mae'r llew ar y bwrdd. - The lion is on the table.
"wrth"
"wrth" means "by" or "near" and is used to indicate proximity.
Examples:
- Mae'r tŷ wrth y ffordd. - The house is by the road.
- Rydw i'n treulio amser wrth y cwch. - I spend time near the boat.
"o"
"o" means "from" or "of" and is used to express possession or origin.
Examples:
- Mae'r llyfr o America. - The book is from America.
- Dyn ni i gyd o'r un teulu. - We are all from the same family.
"gyda"
"gyda" means "with" and is used to describe something that is done or exists together with something else.
Examples:
- Dwi'n mynd i'r sinema gyda fy ffrindiau. - I'm going to the cinema with my friends.
- Mae'r gath gyda'r ci. - The cat is with the dog.
Using Prepositions in Welsh Sentences
When using prepositions in Welsh, it's essential to pay attention to their correct placement in the sentence. Here are some examples:
| Welsh | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mae'r cwch wrth y glaw. | [maɪr kuːχ ʊr ι ɡlaʊ] | The boat is by the rain. |
| Mae'r disgwylfa ar ben y bryn. | [maɪr dɪsˈɡwɪlva ar pen ə brɪn] | The lookout is on top of the hill. |
| Dw i'n byw yn y ddinas. | [du iːn biʊ yn ι ðɪˈnæs] | I live in the city. |
| Mae hi'n gweithio gyda phobl hŷn. | [maɪ hiːn ɡwəɪθɪɔ ˈɡʊdə ˈpɔbl̩ ˈhʊɪn] | She works with older people. |
As you can see, each preposition used in these sentences creates a different relationship between the nouns and pronouns in the sentence.
Conclusion
Prepositions are essential elements in Welsh that create relationships between words and phrases in the language. In this lesson, we learned about some of the most common prepositions in Welsh and how to use them correctly in sentences. Remember that, like in any language, practicing the use of prepositions in context is key to mastering them. Keep practicing and have fun learning Welsh!
Other Lessons
- Plurals
- Questions
- Personal Pronouns
- Adjectives
- Describing Actions
- Future Tense
- Pronouns
- Using Conjunctions
- The article
Sources
- Welsh/Grammar/Prepositions - Wikibooks, open books for an open ...
- SOME BASIC RULES OF WELSH GRAMMAR Cynnwys - Contents ...
- Welsh Grammar: Using prepositions with objects in questions. : r ...