Welsh, a Celtic language native to Wales, includes a rich and unique grammar system with its own set of prepositions of time. These prepositions are essential tools for constructing accurate Welsh sentences while conveying specific time-related information. In this article, we will discuss the key aspects of prepositions of time in Welsh grammar, and explain the appropriate usage of each important preposition.
Ar: “Ar” is a versatile preposition that generally means “on” or “at” in English. When referring to days of the week, one can use “ar” to indicate an action or event taking place on that specific day. For example, “ar Ddydd Llun” translates to “on Monday”. Additionally, “ar” can signify “at” when discussing time, such as “ar y cwpwl canol” meaning “at the stroke of midnight”.
O: This preposition is used to express “from” in English. In Welsh grammar, “o” is essential for denoting a starting point in time. To illustrate: “o’r p’nawn” which means “from the afternoon”. One can also use “o” to show duration, such as “o awr i awr” meaning “from hour to hour”.
I: “I” serves as a preposition of time that translates to “to” or “until” in English. One would use “i” to imply an endpoint in time. For instance, “i’r nos Sul” means “until Sunday night”.
Yn y bore: Translated into English as “in the morning”, “yn y bore” is a common phrase that indicates a specific part of the day. When utilizing this phrase to describe activities or events occurring in the morning, simply follow the format “bore (day)”, such as “bore Sadwrn” for “Saturday morning”.
Yn y prynhawn: This phrase means “in the afternoon” in English and follows the same structure as “yn y bore” when referencing a specific day. To say “Friday afternoon”, you would use “prynhawn Gwener”.
Yn y nos: To indicate time during the evening in Welsh, one can use the phrase “yn y nos”. As with the previous phrases, attach the desired day to create accurate context, like “nos Fercher” for “Wednesday evening”.
To facilitate the understanding of prepositions of time in Welsh grammar, we have compiled a set of example sentences illustrating proper usage:
1. Mae’r cyfarfod ar y pumed o Fai – The meeting is on the fifth of May.
2. Cymerodd y gwaith wythnos o ddechrau – The work took a week from start to finish.
3. Byddem yn y ty i ddydd Llun – We will be at the house until Monday.
Understanding and incorporating the essential prepositions of time in Welsh grammar is crucial for constructing accurate and meaningful sentences. Mastering these prepositions allows individuals to convey specific information related to time and provides a strong foundation for further studies in Welsh language proficiency.
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