Basic Words

1. Ie

   Yes

   Usage

   The shortest affirmative reply; use it to confirm anything

   Grammar Note

   Welsh has no all-purpose "yes"; you answer with the verb of the question. "Ie" answers a noun-fronted question

2. Na

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; also works to decline an offer

   Grammar Note

   The negative reply; verbal questions are answered with the verb, e.g. "Nac ydw"

3. Os gwelwch yn dda

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request or order; it also stands alone

   Grammar Note

   Literally "if you see fit"; the polite "chi" form. With friends, "os gweli di'n dda"

4. Diolch

   Thank you

   Usage

   Use it everywhere: after paying, after getting directions

   Grammar Note

   The basic thanks; "Diolch yn fawr" intensifies it

5. Esgusodwch fi

   Excuse me

   Usage

   The opening word when you need a stranger's attention

   Grammar Note

   The polite "chi" form, used to get someone's attention

6. Mae'n ddrwg gen i

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake

   Grammar Note

   Literally "it is bad with me"; southern Welsh says "Mae'n ddrwg gyda fi"

7. Mae'n iawn

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Reply to an apology, or politely wave off offered help

8. Dw i ddim yn deall

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say it as soon as you lose the thread; people will rephrase

   Grammar Note

   Negation places "ddim" after the verb

9. Dw i'n deall

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms you followed an explanation

10. Dw i wedi gorffen

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you have finished a meal or a procedure

11. Arhoswch, os gwelwch yn dda

    Please wait

    Usage

    Use it when you need the other person to hold on

    Grammar Note

    The "chi" imperative; use "aros" with friends

12. Un funud

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A shorter, lighter version for a very brief pause

13. Un oedolyn, os gwelwch yn dda

    One adult, please

    Usage

    Say it at a ticket window or an entrance gate

    Grammar Note

    "Oedolyn" is an adult; the plural is "oedolion"

14. Does gen i ddim archeb

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Tell a restaurant or hotel that you are a walk-in

    Grammar Note

    Welsh expresses possession as "mae gen i" — "there is with me"

15. Mae gen i archeb

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it first at reception, then give your name

16. Helpwch fi, os gwelwch yn dda

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or emergencies; a strong call for help

    Grammar Note

    In an emergency, shout "Help!"

17. Unwaith eto, os gwelwch yn dda

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what you missed

18. Siaradwch yn araf, os gwelwch yn dda

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speech is too fast; people almost always oblige

19. Dw i'n siarad ychydig o Gymraeg

    I speak a little Welsh

    Usage

    Saying it early makes the other person slow down

    Grammar Note

    "Ychydig o" means "a little of"; the phrase is warmly received in Wales

20. Ydych chi'n siarad Saesneg?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when you get stuck; ask with the polite pronoun

    Grammar Note

    The polite "chi" form; "Saesneg" is the English language

21. hwn

    This one

    Usage

    Points at something near you; use "hon" for a feminine noun

22. hwnna

    That one

    Usage

    Points at something further away; colloquial Welsh has only the two-way "hwn / hwnna" contrast

23. yma

    Here

    Usage

    Points at a place; also used to mark a spot on a map

24. yna

    There

    Usage

    Points at a place a little way off

25. acw

    Over there

    Usage

    The farthest of the three-way set "yma / yna / acw"

26. fi

    Me

    Usage

    Points at yourself; as a sentence subject it appears as "i"

27. chi

    You

    Usage

    The polite second person; "ti" is used with friends and family

28. gyda'n gilydd

    Together

    Usage

    Says you are together; also works when you want one shared bill

29. mwy

    More

    Usage

    Asks for more of something

30. dim ond ychydig

    Just a little

    Usage

    Asks for a small amount only

31. hanner

    Half

    Usage

    For asking for half the amount

32. y cyfan

    All of it

    Usage

    The whole of a specific amount, as opposed to "popeth" (everything)

33. Dyna ddigon

    That's enough

    Usage

    Tells someone to stop pouring or serving; "digon" mutates to "ddigon" after "dyna"

34. ar unwaith

    Right now

    Usage

    Means immediately; plain "now" is "nawr" in the South and "rŵan" in the North

35. un person

    One person

    Usage

    States how many people need a table or a room

36. dau berson

    Two people

    Usage

    "Person" softly mutates to "berson" after "dau" (two)

37. tri pherson

    Three people

    Usage

    "Person" takes the aspirate mutation to "pherson" after "tri" (three)

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