Language/Welsh/Grammar/Negation
Hi Welsh learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be looking at the basics of negation in Welsh. We will look at how to form negative sentences and how to use the negative particle "nid".
Negation is an important part of any language, and Welsh is no exception. In Welsh, there are two main ways to express negation: using the negative particle "nid" and using the negative verb form. Let's take a look at each of these in more detail.
Negative Particle
The negative particle "nid" is used to negate a verb or an adjective. It is placed before the verb or adjective that it is negating. For example:
| Welsh | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Dw i ddim yn gwybod | /duː i ðɪm ən ˈgwəbɔd/ | I don't know |
| Nid wyf yn hoffi coffi | /nɪd wəf ən ˈhɔfi ˈkɔfi/ | I don't like coffee |
| Nid yw'r tywydd yn dda | /nɪd wər təwɪð ən ða/ | The weather isn't good |
| Nid yw hi'n hapus | /nɪd wə hiːn ˈhapəs/ | She isn't happy |
Negative Verb Form
The negative verb form is used to negate a verb. It is formed by adding the prefix "di-" to the beginning of the verb. For example:
| Welsh | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Dw i ddim yn siarad Cymraeg | /duː i ðɪm ən ˈʃarad ˈkəmrɑːɛg/ | I don't speak Welsh |
| Dw i ddim yn gweld | /duː i ðɪm ən ˈgwɛld/ | I don't see |
| Dw i ddim yn gwybod | /duː i ðɪm ən ˈgwəbɔd/ | I don't know |
| Dw i ddim yn deall | /duː i ðɪm ən ðɛal/ | I don't understand |
It is important to note that the negative verb form cannot be used with adjectives. For example, you cannot say "Dw i ddim yn hapus" (I'm not happy). Instead, you must use the negative particle "nid", as in "Nid wyf yn hapus" (I'm not happy).
Practice
To improve your Welsh Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Try translating the following sentences into Welsh using the negative particle and the negative verb form:
| English | Welsh |
|---|---|
| I don't like tea | Nid wyf yn hoffi te |
| I don't understand | Dw i ddim yn deall |
| He isn't happy | Nid yw e'n hapus |
| She doesn't speak Welsh | Nid yw hi'n siarad Cymraeg |
| They don't see | Maen nhw ddim yn gweld |
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