Welsh, or Cymraeg, is a fascinating and ancient language spoken predominantly in Wales, a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Its unique structure and rich history make it an intriguing subject for language learners. One of the essential aspects of mastering Welsh is understanding its pronouns and possessives. This article will delve into the intricacies of Welsh pronouns and possessives, providing you with the knowledge you need to use them correctly and confidently.
Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns in Welsh are used much like in English, but their forms and uses can differ significantly. Below is a list of the Welsh personal pronouns in the nominative case, which is used for the subject of a sentence:
– I: fi or i
– You (singular informal): ti
– He: ef or fe
– She: hi
– We: ni
– You (plural or formal): chi
– They: nhw
Usage of Personal Pronouns
1. **First Person Singular**: The pronoun for “I” can be either fi or i. The form fi is used after a verb, while i is used before a verb. For example:
– Rydw i yn hoffi coffi. (I like coffee.)
– Dw i wedi blino. (I am tired.)
2. **Second Person Singular**: The pronoun ti is used to address one person informally. For example:
– Wyt ti yn hapus? (Are you happy?)
3. **Third Person Singular**: For “he” and “she,” Welsh uses ef/fe and hi, respectively. The form fe is used in South Wales and ef in the North, though both are understood throughout Wales. For example:
– Mae fe yn gweithio. (He is working.)
– Mae hi yn canu. (She is singing.)
4. **First Person Plural**: The pronoun ni means “we.” For example:
– Rydyn ni yn mynd i’r sinema. (We are going to the cinema.)
5. **Second Person Plural/Formal Singular**: The pronoun chi is used for addressing more than one person or in formal situations. For example:
– A ydych chi yn barod? (Are you ready?)
6. **Third Person Plural**: The pronoun nhw means “they.” For example:
– Maen nhw yn chwarae. (They are playing.)
Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns in Welsh indicate ownership and are often used in conjunction with nouns. They can be placed before or after the noun they modify, depending on the context and emphasis.
Here are the Welsh possessive pronouns:
– My: fy
– Your (singular informal): dy
– His: ei (masculine)
– Her: ei (feminine)
– Our: ein
– Your (plural or formal): eich
– Their: eu
Usage of Possessive Pronouns
1. **First Person Singular**: The possessive pronoun fy (my) is often followed by nasal mutation of the noun. For example:
– Fy nghar (my car)
2. **Second Person Singular**: The possessive pronoun dy (your) is followed by a soft mutation of the noun. For example:
– Dy gar (your car)
3. **Third Person Singular Masculine**: The possessive pronoun ei (his) causes a soft mutation of the noun. For example:
– Ei gar (his car)
4. **Third Person Singular Feminine**: The possessive pronoun ei (her) causes an aspirate mutation of the noun. For example:
– Ei char (her car)
5. **First Person Plural**: The possessive pronoun ein (our) does not cause a mutation. For example:
– Ein car (our car)
6. **Second Person Plural/Formal Singular**: The possessive pronoun eich (your) does not cause a mutation. For example:
– Eich car (your car)
7. **Third Person Plural**: The possessive pronoun eu (their) causes a soft mutation. For example:
– Eu car (their car)
Pronoun Emphasis
In Welsh, possessive pronouns can be emphasized by placing them after the noun along with a possessive adjective. This is akin to saying “of mine” or “of yours” in English. For example:
– The car of mine: Y car fy mhen (The car of mine)
– The car of yours: Y car dy ben (The car of yours)
Independent Possessive Pronouns
Welsh also has independent possessive pronouns, which stand alone and do not accompany a noun. These are used similarly to the English “mine,” “yours,” etc. Here they are:
– Mine: eiddo i
– Yours (singular informal): eiddot ti
– His: eiddo ef or eiddo fe
– Hers: eiddo hi
– Ours: eiddo ni
– Yours (plural or formal): eiddoch chi
– Theirs: eiddo nhw
Examples in sentences:
– This book is eiddo i. (This book is mine.)
– Is this pen eiddot ti? (Is this pen yours?)
Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns in Welsh are used to indicate that the subject of the sentence is also the object. These pronouns are formed by adding the word hun (self) to the possessive pronouns. Here are the reflexive pronouns:
– Myself: fy hun
– Yourself (singular informal): dy hun
– Himself: ei hun (masculine)
– Herself: ei hun (feminine)
– Ourselves: ein hunain
– Yourselves (plural or formal): eich hunain
– Themselves: eu hunain
Examples in sentences:
– Rydw i yn gweld fy hun yn y drych. (I see myself in the mirror.)
– Mae hi yn falch ohoni ei hun. (She is proud of herself.)
Demonstrative Pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns in Welsh are used to point out specific items and are equivalent to “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those” in English. Here they are:
– This: hwn (masculine), hon (feminine)
– That: hwnnw (masculine), honno (feminine)
– These: rhain or rheini
– Those: rhai
Examples in sentences:
– Hwn yw fy nghar. (This is my car.)
– Hon yw fy nghath. (This is my cat.)
– Hwnnw yw ei gar ef. (That is his car.)
– Honno yw ei chath hi. (That is her cat.)
– Rhain yw ein llyfrau. (These are our books.)
– Rhai yw eich plant chi. (Those are your children.)
Interrogative Pronouns
Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions and are equivalent to “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” and “what” in English. Here they are:
– Who: pwy
– Whom: pwy
– Whose: pwy
– Which: pa
– What: beth
Examples in sentences:
– Pwy yw hwn? (Who is this?)
– Pwy wyt ti’n feddwl? (Whom do you think?)
– Pwy yw’r llyfr hwn? (Whose is this book?)
– Pa un wyt ti eisiau? (Which one do you want?)
– Beth ydy hwn? (What is this?)
Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns in Welsh are used to connect clauses or phrases to a noun or pronoun. They are similar to “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” and “that” in English. Here they are:
– Who: a
– Whom: a
– Whose: y
– Which: a
– That: a
Examples in sentences:
– Y dyn a welais i. (The man whom I saw.)
– Y ferch a ddaeth i’r parti. (The girl who came to the party.)
– Y tŷ a adeiladwyd gan fy nhad. (The house that was built by my father.)
Conclusion
Understanding Welsh pronouns and possessives is crucial for anyone looking to master the language. While there are many similarities to English, the differences can be significant and require careful study. By familiarizing yourself with these pronouns and their uses, you will be well on your way to speaking Welsh confidently and accurately. Practice using them in sentences, and soon they will become second nature. Happy learning!
