Language/Welsh/Grammar/Using-Conjunctions

◀️ Using Prepositions — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Holidays and Festivals ▶️

Welsh → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Prepositions and Conjunctions → Using Conjunctions

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore the usage of conjunctions in the Welsh language. Conjunctions are an essential part of any language as they allow us to connect words, phrases, and sentences, giving them structure and coherence. By understanding and mastering conjunctions, you will be able to express your thoughts more effectively and create more complex sentences in Welsh.

Throughout this lesson, we will learn about the different types of conjunctions used in Welsh, including coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and correlative conjunctions. We will examine their functions and usage, providing plenty of examples to help you grasp the concepts. Additionally, we will explore any regional variations in the usage of conjunctions and delve into the historical reasons behind these differences. Lastly, we will engage in various exercises and practice scenarios to reinforce your understanding of conjunctions in Welsh.

Let's dive into the fascinating world of Welsh conjunctions and discover how they can enhance your language skills!

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions are used to join words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal importance. In Welsh, there are several coordinating conjunctions, including "ac" (and), "ond" (but), "neu" (or), and "felly" (so). Let's explore each of them in detail:

"Ac" (And)

The conjunction "ac" is used to connect two or more words, phrases, or clauses that share equal importance and contribute to the same idea. It is the equivalent of the English conjunction "and."

Here are a few examples:

• Welsh: "Cath ac ci" (Cat and dog)
• Pronunciation: [kaθ ak ki]
• English: Cat and dog

• Welsh: "Dwi'n darllen ac ysgrifennu" (I am reading and writing)
• Pronunciation: [dwiːn ˈdarlɛn ak əsˈɡrɪfɛnɪ]
• English: I am reading and writing

• Welsh: "Mae'r haul yn disgleirio ac mae'r awyr yn las" (The sun is shining and the sky is blue)
• Pronunciation: [maɪr haɪl ən ˈdɪsɡlɛriɔ ak maɪr ˈaʊɨr ən las]
• English: The sun is shining and the sky is blue

"Ond" (But)

The conjunction "ond" is used to join two contrasting ideas or clauses. It is the equivalent of the English conjunction "but."

Here are a few examples:

• Welsh: "Mae'r byd yn hardd, ond mae hi'n oer" (The world is beautiful, but it's cold)
• Pronunciation: [maɪr bɪd ən ˈharð ɔnd maɪ hiːn ɔɛr]
• English: The world is beautiful, but it's cold

• Welsh: "Dw i eisiau mynd i'r parti, ond dw i'n gorfod gweithio" (I want to go to the party, but I have to work)
• Pronunciation: [dui ɛˈiːsaɪ mɪnd ɪr ˈparti ɔnd duɪn ˈɡɔrvɔd ɡwɛɪθɪɔ]
• English: I want to go to the party, but I have to work

• Welsh: "Mae hi'n ddrwg, ond dw i'n cyfarfod â hi" (She's sorry, but I'm meeting her)
• Pronunciation: [maɪ hiːn ðruːɡ ɔnd duɪn kəˈvarvɔd aː hi]
• English: She's sorry, but I'm meeting her

"Neu" (Or)

The conjunction "neu" is used to present alternative options or choices. It is the equivalent of the English conjunction "or."

Here are a few examples:

• Welsh: "Dw i'n hoffi te neu goffi" (I like tea or coffee)
• Pronunciation: [duiːn ˈhɔfɪ tɛ ər ˈɡɔfɪ]
• English: I like tea or coffee

• Welsh: "Prynwch bara neu sglodion" (Buy bread or chips)
• Pronunciation: [ˈprɪnʊχ bara ər ˈsklɔdɪɔn]
• English: Buy bread or chips

• Welsh: "A ydych chi'n hoffi gwneud ffilmiau neu ddarllen llyfrau?" (Do you like making films or reading books?)
• Pronunciation: [aː ˈədɪχ xiːn ˈhɔfɪ ɡwnəd ˈfɪlmjaɨ ər ˈðarɬɛn ˈɬəvrai]
• English: Do you like making films or reading books?

"Felly" (So)

The conjunction "felly" is used to indicate a consequence or result. It is the equivalent of the English conjunction "so."

Here are a few examples:

• Welsh: "Roedd hi'n bwrw glaw, felly es i adref" (It was raining, so I went home)
• Pronunciation: [rɔɛð hiːn bʊru ɡlaʊ ˈvɛɬɪ ɛs iː ˈadrɛv]
• English: It was raining, so I went home

• Welsh: "Mae'r siop ar gau, felly byddwn ni'n mynd i'r archfarchnad" (The shop is closed, so we'll go to the supermarket)
• Pronunciation: [maɪr ʃɔp ar ɡaɨ ˈvɛɬɪ bəðʊn niːn mɪnd ɪr arχˈvarχnad]
• English: The shop is closed, so we'll go to the supermarket

• Welsh: "Dw i'n hoffi coffi, felly dw i'n mynd i'r caffi bob dydd" (I like coffee, so I go to the café every day)
• Pronunciation: [duiːn ˈhɔfɪ ˈkɔfɪ ˈvɛɬɪ duɪn mɪnd ɪr ˈkaːvi bɔb dɪð]
• English: I like coffee, so I go to the café every day

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are used to introduce dependent clauses, which cannot stand alone as complete sentences. In Welsh, there are several subordinating conjunctions, including "pan" (when), "os" (if), "er bod" (although), and "oherwydd" (because). Let's explore each of them in detail:

"Pan" (When)

The conjunction "pan" is used to introduce a dependent clause that expresses a specific time or condition. It is the equivalent of the English conjunction "when."

Here are a few examples:

• Welsh: "Dw i'n mynd i'r sinema pan fydd y ffilm newydd yn dod allan" (I'm going to the cinema when the new film comes out)
• Pronunciation: [duiːn mɪnd ɪr ˈsɪnɛma pan fɪð ə ˈfɪlm ˈnɛwɪð ən ˈdɔd ˈaɬan]
• English: I'm going to the cinema when the new film comes out

• Welsh: "Byddaf yn hapus pan fydd y gwaith wedi'i gorffen" (I will be happy when the work is finished)
• Pronunciation: [ˈbɪðaf ən ˈhapɪs pan fɪð ə ɡwaɪθ ˈwɛdiː ɡɔrˈfɛn]
• English: I will be happy when the work is finished

• Welsh: "Dw i'n mynd i'r parc pan fydd y tywydd yn dda" (I'm going to the park when the weather is good)
• Pronunciation: [duiːn mɪnd ɪr park pan fɪð ə ˈtəwɛð ən ða]
• English: I'm going to the park when the weather is good

"Os" (If)

The conjunction "os" is used to introduce a dependent clause that expresses a condition or possibility. It is the equivalent of the English conjunction "if."

Here are a few examples:

• Welsh: "Os bydd hi'n bwrw glaw, bydda i'n aros adref" (If it rains, I will stay at home)
• Pronunciation: [ɔs bɪð hiːn ˈbʊru ɡlaʊ ˈbəða iːn ˈarɔs ˈadrɛv]
• English: If it rains, I will stay at home

• Welsh: "Os byddi di'n hwyr, bydda i'n mynd ymlaen heb chdi" (If you're late, I will go ahead without you)
• Pronunciation: [ɔs ˈbəðiː diːn hʊir ˈbəða iːn mɪnd əmˈlaɪn hɛb χdiː]
• English: If you're late, I will go ahead without you

• Welsh: "Os bydd pawb yn dod, bydd y parti'n llwyddiant" (If everyone comes, the party will be a success)
• Pronunciation: [ɔs bɪð ˈpau̯b ən ˈdɔd ˈbəða ə ˈpartiːn ɬʊɪˈðjant]
• English: If everyone comes, the party will be a success

"Er Bod" (Although)

The conjunction "er bod" is used to introduce a dependent clause that expresses a contrast or contradiction. It is the equivalent of the English conjunction "although."

Here are a few examples:

• Welsh: "Yn er yd bod hi'n oer, mae hi'n mynd am dro" (Although it's cold, she's going for a walk)
• Pronunciation: [ɛr bɔd hiːn ɔɛr maɪ hiːn mɪnd am ˈdro]
• English: Although it's cold, she's going for a walk

• Welsh: "Er bod hi'n hwyr, dw i'n dal i aros" (Although it's late, I'm still waiting)
• Pronunciation: [ɛr bɔd hiːn hʊir duɪn tal iː ˈarɔs]
• English: Although it's late, I'm still waiting

• Welsh: "Er bod y bwyd yn anghyfforddus, dw i'n ei fwyta" (Although the food is uncomfortable, I'm eating it)
• Pronunciation: [ɛr bɔd ə ˈbʊɨd ən anˈɡəvɔrðɪs duɪn ɪn ˈeɪ ˈvʊɨta]
• English: Although the food is uncomfortable, I'm eating it

"Oherwydd" (Because)

The conjunction "oherwydd" is used to introduce a dependent clause that gives a reason or explanation. It is the equivalent of the English conjunction "because."

Here are a few examples:

• Welsh: "Dw i'n hwyr oherwydd bod traffig yn wael" (I'm late because the traffic is bad)
• Pronunciation: [duiːn hʊir ˈɔhɛrʊð bɔd ˈtrafɪɡ ən ˈwai̯l]
• English: I'm late because the traffic is bad

• Welsh: "Dw i'n brysur oherwydd bod gwaith 'da fi" (I'm busy because I have work)
• Pronunciation: [duiːn ˈbrɨsɪr ˈɔhɛrʊð bɔd ɡwaɪθ daː viː]
• English: I'm busy because I have work

• Welsh: "Dw i'n licio ef oherwydd ei ddawn" (I like him because of his talent)
• Pronunciation: [duiːn ˈlɪsjo ɛv ˈɔhɛrʊð əi ˈðaʊn]
• English: I like him because of his talent

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs to join words, phrases, or clauses. In Welsh, there are several correlative conjunctions, including "na...na" (neither...nor), "na...neu" (neither...nor), "na...ond" (neither...but), and "na...felly" (neither...so). Let's explore each of them in detail:

"Na...na" (Neither...nor)

Thi na siarad â hi

Sources

• Welsh syntax - Wikipedia
• SOME BASIC RULES OF WELSH GRAMMAR Cynnwys - Contents ...

• Personal Pronouns
• Plurals
• To Be and To Have

◀️ Using Prepositions — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Holidays and Festivals ▶️