Learning a new language often brings with it the joy of uncovering cultural nuances and linguistic quirks. Welsh, a Celtic language spoken primarily in Wales, is no exception. As you dive into Welsh, you will find that certain words can have subtle differences in meaning and usage. One such pair is ffilm and sinema. In English, these would translate to “movie” and “cinema,” respectively. However, the distinction between them in Welsh might intrigue you. This article aims to explore these words, their usage, and related vocabulary to enrich your Welsh language learning journey.

Understanding Ffilm and Sinema

Ffilm:
The Welsh word ffilm refers to a “movie” or “film.” It is used similarly to how “movie” is used in English, primarily to describe the actual content that is watched.

Rydw i eisiau gwylio ffilm heno.

I want to watch a movie tonight.

Sinema:
The word sinema in Welsh is the equivalent of “cinema” in English. It refers to the physical place where films are shown.

Awn ni i’r sinema yfory.

We will go to the cinema tomorrow.

Related Vocabulary

To fully grasp the nuances between ffilm and sinema, it’s helpful to understand some related vocabulary. Below are some important Welsh words related to movies and cinema, along with their meanings and example sentences.

Actor and Actores

Actor:
The Welsh word actor means “actor” in English, referring to a male performer in films, television, or theatre.

Mae’r actor yn perfformio’n wych yn y ffilm newydd.

The actor performs excellently in the new movie.

Actores:
The word actores is the Welsh term for a female actor or actress.

Mae’r actores wedi ennill gwobr am ei rôl.

The actress has won an award for her role.

Cyfarwyddwr

Cyfarwyddwr:
This word translates to “director” in English and refers to the person who directs the making of a film or a play.

Mae’r cyfarwyddwr yn enwog am ei steil unigryw.

The director is famous for his unique style.

Sgript

Sgript:
The Welsh term sgript is equivalent to “script” in English, referring to the written text of a film or play.

Darllenodd y cyfarwyddwr y sgript yn ofalus.

The director read the script carefully.

Rôl

Rôl:
The word rôl translates to “role” in English, referring to the character played by an actor or actress.

Mae hi’n chwarae rôl bwysig yn y ffilm.

She plays an important role in the film.

Ffilm Fer and Ffilm Nodwedd

Ffilm Fer:
This term means “short film” in Welsh, referring to a film that is shorter in length compared to a feature film.

Gwylion ni ffilm fer cyn y brif ffilm.

We watched a short film before the main movie.

Ffilm Nodwedd:
The Welsh term ffilm nodwedd translates to “feature film,” referring to a full-length movie.

Mae’r ffilm nodwedd hon yn hir iawn.

This feature film is very long.

Expressions and Phrases

Now that we’ve covered some basic vocabulary, let’s delve into a few expressions and phrases that you might find useful when talking about movies and cinema in Welsh.

Gwylio

Gwylio:
The word gwylio means “to watch” in English. It is often used when talking about watching movies or TV shows.

Hoffwn i wylio’r ffilm newydd.

I would like to watch the new movie.

Tocyn

Tocyn:
This Welsh word translates to “ticket” in English, referring to the item you purchase to gain entry to a cinema.

Prynais i docyn i weld y ffilm.

I bought a ticket to see the movie.

Sgrîn

Sgrîn:
The word sgrîn means “screen” in English, referring to the surface on which the film is projected in a cinema.

Mae’r sgrîn yn y sinema yn fawr iawn.

The screen in the cinema is very large.

Popgorn

Popgorn:
This is the Welsh term for “popcorn,” a popular snack often enjoyed while watching a movie.

Mae popgorn yn flasus iawn gyda menyn.

Popcorn is very tasty with butter.

Sedd

Sedd:
The word sedd translates to “seat” in English, referring to where you sit in the cinema.

Mae fy sedd yn y rhes flaen.

My seat is in the front row.

Describing Movies

When discussing movies, it’s useful to know how to describe them in Welsh. Here are some descriptive words and phrases that can help.

Cyffrous and Diflas

Cyffrous:
The word cyffrous means “exciting” in English. It is often used to describe an engaging and thrilling film.

Mae’r ffilm yma’n gyffrous iawn.

This movie is very exciting.

Diflas:
This word translates to “boring” in English, used to describe a film that is not engaging.

Roedd y ffilm yn ddiflas iawn.

The movie was very boring.

Doniol and Trist

Doniol:
The Welsh word doniol means “funny” in English, used to describe a comedy film or a film with humorous elements.

Mae’r ffilm yn doniol iawn, roedd pawb yn chwerthin.

The movie is very funny, everyone was laughing.

Trist:
This word translates to “sad” in English, used to describe a film that has a sorrowful or emotional theme.

Roedd y ffilm yn drist iawn, roedd pawb yn crio.

The movie was very sad, everyone was crying.

Rhamantus and Arswyd

Rhamantus:
The word rhamantus means “romantic” in English, used to describe a film that focuses on romance.

Mae’r ffilm rhamantus hon yn fy ffefryn.

This romantic movie is my favorite.

Arswyd:
The Welsh term arswyd translates to “horror” in English, used to describe a film that is intended to scare the audience.

Dw i ddim yn hoffi ffilmiau arswyd, maen nhw’n rhy ofnus.

I don’t like horror movies, they are too scary.

Talking About Genres

Understanding and discussing movie genres can greatly enhance your conversations about films. Here are some common movie genres in Welsh.

Drama

Drama:
The Welsh term drama is the same as in English, referring to a genre that focuses on realistic storytelling and emotional themes.

Roedd y ddrama yn y sinema yn wych.

The drama in the cinema was excellent.

Comedi

Comedi:
This word translates to “comedy” in English, used to describe films that are humorous and intended to make the audience laugh.

Mae’r comedi hon yn ddoniol iawn.

This comedy is very funny.

Antur

Antur:
The Welsh term antur means “adventure” in English, used to describe films that involve exciting journeys and exploration.

Roedd y ffilm antur yn llawn cyffro.

The adventure movie was full of excitement.

Ffuglen Wyddonol

Ffuglen Wyddonol:
This phrase translates to “science fiction” in English, referring to films that explore futuristic concepts and speculative science.

Dw i’n caru ffilmiau ffuglen wyddonol.

I love science fiction movies.

Practical Application

To put your new vocabulary into practice, try describing a recent movie you watched using some of the words and phrases discussed in this article. You could talk about the genre, the performance of the actor or actores, the sgript, and your overall opinion of the film.

Example Paragraph

Roeddwn i’n gwylio ffilm drama heno. Mae’r actor a’r actores yn perfformio’n wych, ac roedd y sgript yn ddramatig iawn. Er bod y ffilm yn eithaf trist, roedd hi’n gyffrous hefyd. Dw i’n meddwl bod y cyfarwyddwr wedi gwneud gwaith gwych.

I watched a drama film tonight. The actor and actress performed excellently, and the script was very dramatic. Although the movie was quite sad, it was also exciting. I think the director did a great job.

By continually practicing and incorporating these words into your conversations, you’ll find yourself becoming more fluent and comfortable discussing movies and cinema in Welsh. Remember, language learning is a journey, and each new word and phrase you learn brings you one step closer to fluency. Enjoy the process, and happy learning!