Dros is a common preposition in Welsh. While it is most frequently translated as “over” or “across,” it has a variety of other uses that can sometimes trip learners up. There is also the form tros, which is occasionally used, and means the same thing as dros. Generally, dros is far more common than tros. …
Trwy is the Welsh word for ‘through.’ While it is generally straightforward compared to other prepositions, it has a few specific uses that have to be learnt. Here’s my guide on how to use it correctly! Conjugation of ‘trwy’ Like many other prepositions, trwy changes its form when combined with personal pronouns. Here is the …
I’ve been dysgu Twrceg (learning Turkish) for a few years now, and I’ve noticed some surprising similarities between Welsh words and their Turkish counterparts. You might have already guessed, but this is because Turkish and Welsh have both inherited a significant amount of their vocabulary from Lladin (Latin). I’ve put together a list of my …
Advice often given to Welsh learners regarding mutations is simply not to worry about them. The idea is that by learning the language and thus continually interacting with it, you’ll naturally pick them up over time. This is probably true in the long-term. To begin with, though, it is really helpful to have a brief …
We recently posted an article going into depth on six of Welsh’s most common prepositions. These six are part of a larger set of prepositions often grouped together because they are simple, frequently used, and all cause a soft mutation to the next word. In this post, we’ll explore the other six of that set. …
Understanding how to use prepositions can be easily one of the trickiest parts of learning a new language. They just don’t map consistently from one language to another. There are several different words in Welsh that mean for, for example, depending on the circumstance. Similarly, the Welsh word am could be translated as various different …
Am is a very common preposition in Welsh, and yet learners struggle to find resources detailing exactly when it should be used. Today I wanted to do my best to put that right. Students often ask me what am means, and the answer is, like many prepositions, it can mean a range of different things, …
Whether your child passes his exam with flying colours, or your best friend manages to get that long-desired promotion, there are many situations where it’s appropriate to praise someone for a job well done. In English, we have a range of encouraging phrases to choose between but what about in Welsh? Well, it turns out …
Have you ever wanted to apologise to somebody in Welsh but weren’t quite sure how? Well, you’ve come to the right place! In North Wales where I live, the expression you’ll generally hear is Mae’n ddrwg gen i which literally translates as “It is bad with me” in English. In the South, you will come …
The English have come up with their fair share of nicknames for the humble toilet over the years, and so, too, have the Welsh! Some are commonly heard across the country whereas others are limited to certain regions. And while many derive from the various English words for toilet, an equal number are original Welsh …