Yes, no and the essentials in Welsh
The small words that carry half of every conversation, and the ones that rescue it. Play the ten Welsh words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Welsh phrases in this lesson
- Ieee-eh
- Yes
- Nanah
- No
- Iawnyown
- Okay
- Dw i ddim yn dealldoo ee thim un DEH-alth
- I don't understand
- Dych chi'n siarad Saesneg?dikh kheen SHA-rad SICE-neg
- Do you speak English?
- Allwch chi ailadrodd hynny?AH-thookh khee ai-LAD-roth HUN-ee
- Can you repeat that?
- Yn araf, os gwelwch yn ddaun AH-rav os GWEL-ookh un tha
- Slowly, please
- Beth yw hwn?beth yoo hoon
- What is this?
- Mae angen... arna imy ANG-en AR-na ee
- I need...
- Allwch chi fy helpu i?AH-thookh khee vuh HEL-pee ee
- Can you help me?
Welsh does not have a single word for yes and no. Instead you echo the verb of the question. "Ie" is a safe general affirmative, especially in South Wales. In North Wales "Ia" is common.
The general negative. Like "ie," the technically correct answer echoes the verb, but "na" is understood everywhere and is perfectly polite. Shake your head to reinforce it.
"Iawn" literally means "fine" or "correct" but functions exactly like "okay" in everyday speech. You will hear it constantly in Welsh conversation as an all-purpose agreement.
Very useful when Welsh comes at you fast. Welsh speakers will almost always switch to English once they hear this, but they will appreciate that you tried. The "ll" at the end is the breathy Welsh lateral.
Most Welsh speakers are bilingual and will switch happily. "Saesneg" is Welsh for the English language. "Chi" is the polite "you," appropriate with strangers.
Put what you need in the gap.