Language/Welsh/Grammar/Pronouns
Hello, aspiring Welsh speakers! 😊
Today, we will delve into the captivating realm of Welsh pronouns. Pronouns serve as an integral part of any language, substituting for nouns to make our communication more concise and fluid.
Before you proceed, you might also be interested in these related topics: Adjectives, Plurals, How to Use 'Have', and Conditional Mood.
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Pronouns, known in Welsh as "atebion" or "berfefeddion," are words that replace nouns or noun phrases. This guide will primarily focus on personal pronouns, which are among the most commonly used pronouns in Welsh.
Personal Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Welsh personal pronouns vary based on number, gender, and formality. Below is a table detailing these variations:
Singular Pronouns[edit | edit source]
| Welsh | Pronunciation | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| i | ['i:] | I |
| ti | ['ti:] | you (informal) |
| e/o | [ɛ/ɔ] | he |
| hi | [hi:] | she |
Plural Pronouns[edit | edit source]
| Welsh | Pronunciation | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| ni | [ni:] | we |
| chi | [χi:] | you (plural) |
| nhw | [nʊ] | they |
Formal Pronouns[edit | edit source]
| Welsh | Pronunciation | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| chi | [χi:] | you (formal) |
Examples in Context[edit | edit source]
Here are some examples of Welsh personal pronouns in context:
- Person 1: Dw i eisiau cig oen. (I want lamb)
- Person 2: Dw i eisiau cig eidion. (I want beef)
- Person 1: Dw i'n hoffi y gath hwn. (I like this cat)
- Person 2: Dw i'n hoffi'r ci hwn. (I like this dog)
It is important to note that in Welsh, the verb agrees with the subject pronoun, and there is no general article ('a') in Welsh.
Possessive Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Possessive pronouns, known in Welsh as berfenwau eiddo, indicate ownership or possession. These pronouns must agree with the noun they modify in both number and gender. The following tables break down the different forms of possessive pronouns in Welsh:
Singular Possessive Pronouns[edit | edit source]
| Welsh | Pronunciation | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| fy | /və/ | my (singular) |
| dy | /də/ | your (singular, informal) |
| ei | /eɪ/ | his, her, its (singular) |
Plural Possessive Pronouns[edit | edit source]
| Welsh | Pronunciation | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| ein | /n̥aɪn/ | our |
| eich | /eɪx/ | your (plural, informal) |
| eu | /eɪ/ | their |
Formal Possessive Pronouns[edit | edit source]
| Welsh | Pronunciation | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| eich | /eɪx/ | your (singular or plural, formal) |
Examples in Context[edit | edit source]
Here are some examples of Welsh possessive pronouns in context:
- Person 1: Mae fy nhŷ yn y dref. (My house is in the town)
- Person 2: Mae ein tai ni ar y bryn. (Our houses are on the hill)
- Person 1: Ble mae dy gar? (Where is your car?)
- Person 2: Mae eich car chi yn y garej. (Your car is in the garage)
Reflexive Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Reflexive pronouns in Welsh, known as berfenwau adlewyrchol, are used when the subject and object of a verb are the same. These pronouns must agree in number and gender with the noun they modify.
Singular Reflexive Pronouns[edit | edit source]
| Welsh | Pronunciation | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| fy hun | /və hɪn/ | myself |
| dy hun | /də hɪn/ | yourself (singular, informal) |
| ei hunan | /eɪ hɪnan/ | himself, herself, itself |
Plural Reflexive Pronouns[edit | edit source]
| Welsh | Pronunciation | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| ein hunain | /n̥aɪn hɪnaɪn/ | ourselves |
| eich hunan | /eɪx hɪnan/ | yourselves (plural, informal) |
| eu hunain | /eɪ hɪnaɪn/ | themselves |
Formal Reflexive Pronouns[edit | edit source]
| Welsh | Pronunciation | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| eich hunan | /eɪx hɪnan/ | yourself/yourselves (singular or plural, formal) |
Examples in Context[edit | edit source]
- Person 1: Dw i'n barod iawn ar gyfer y cyfweliad. (I am very ready for the interview)
- Person 2: Gadewch i mi drefnu'r dyddiadur ar gyfer eich hun. (Let me schedule the diary for yourself)
- Person 1: A ydych chi'n teimlo'n iawn? (Are you feeling okay?)
- Person 2: Dw i'n teimlo'n iawn fy hun. (I'm feeling okay myself)
Demonstrative Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Demonstrative pronouns, known as berfenwau dangosol in Welsh, help in identifying or pointing out specific people, places, or things. These pronouns must agree in number and proximity with the noun they modify.
Singular Demonstrative Pronouns[edit | edit source]
| Welsh | Pronunciation | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| hwn | /huːn/ | this (masculine singular) |
| hon | /hɔn/ | this (feminine singular) |
| hwnna | /huːna/ | that (masculine singular) |
| honna | /hɔna/ | that (feminine singular) |
Plural Demonstrative Pronouns[edit | edit source]
| Welsh | Pronunciation | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| hyn | /hɨn/ | these |
| y rhain | /ə r̥ai̯n/ | these (emphatic) |
| y rheinau | /ə r̥aɪnaɪ/ | those |
Examples in Context[edit | edit source]
- Person 1: Mae hwn yn ysgubor. (This is a barn)
- Person 2: Nac yw hon yn stafell haul? (Isn't this a sunny room?)
- Person 1: Mae hyn yn beth da! (These are good things!)
- Person 2: Pwy yw'r chwaraewr hwnna? (Who is that player?)
Practice makes perfect![edit | edit source]
Now that we have explored the different types of Welsh pronouns, it is important to practice and use them in context. Practice with your friends, family, or Polyglot Club friends by engaging in conversation and asking questions. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, as they are all part of the learning process. Remember to be patient with yourself and enjoy the journey!
Remember, to improve your Welsh Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Welsh/Grammar/Pronouns - Wikibooks, open books for an open world
- Colloquial Welsh morphology - Wikipedia
- Welsh Grammar: Using pronouns with verb-nouns - { i (to) + ei / eu + ...
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- How to Use Have
- Negation
- How to Use Be
- Plurals
- The article
- Adjectives
- Future Tense
- Conditional Mood
- Give your Opinion