How do I use ‘mynd’ in different tenses?

What Does ‘Mynd’ Mean?

‘Mynd’ is the Welsh verb for “to go.” Like its English counterpart, it is an irregular verb and forms the backbone of many Welsh sentences. Mastering ‘mynd’ will enable you to discuss travel, plans, intentions, and more in Welsh.

Using ‘Mynd’ in the Present Tense

To say “I go” or “I am going,” you use the present tense form of ‘mynd.’ In Welsh, you generally use the verb-noun ‘mynd’ with the appropriate present tense of ‘bod’ (to be), followed by ‘yn’:

• Dw i’n mynd – I am going / I go
• Rwyt ti’n mynd – You are going / You go (singular/informal)
• Mae e/hi’n mynd – He/She is going / He/She goes
• Rydyn ni’n mynd – We are going / We go
• Rydych chi’n mynd – You are going / You go (plural/formal)
• Maen nhw’n mynd – They are going / They go

Using ‘Mynd’ in the Past Tense

For past actions, Welsh uses the preterite (short past) and imperfect (habitual past) tenses. The preterite is most commonly used for completed actions:

• Es i – I went
• Est ti – You went (singular/informal)
• Aeth e/hi – He/She went
• Aethon ni – We went
• Aethoch chi – You went (plural/formal)
• Aethon nhw – They went

For describing habitual actions in the past, use the imperfect:

• Ro’n i’n mynd – I was going / I used to go
• Ro’t ti’n mynd – You were going / You used to go
• Roedd e/hi’n mynd – He/She was going / used to go
• Ro’n ni’n mynd – We were going / used to go
• Ro’ch chi’n mynd – You were going / used to go
• Ro’n nhw’n mynd – They were going / used to go

Using ‘Mynd’ in the Future Tense

To talk about going somewhere in the future, use the following forms:

• Bydda i’n mynd – I will be going
• Byddet ti’n mynd – You will be going
• Bydd e/hi’n mynd – He/She will be going
• Byddwn ni’n mynd – We will be going
• Byddwch chi’n mynd – You will be going
• Byddan nhw’n mynd – They will be going

Alternatively, you can use the simple future tense:

• A’ i – I will go
• Ei di – You will go
• Eith e/hi – He/She will go
• Awn ni – We will go
• Ewch chi – You will go
• Ân nhw – They will go

Short Forms and Colloquial Usage

In everyday conversation, Welsh speakers often use short, contracted forms. For example, “Dw i’n mynd” may become “Dwi’n mynd” in South Wales. Familiarity with both the formal and informal forms will make it easier to understand and join in real-life conversations or practice sessions on platforms like Talkpal.

Negative Forms of ‘Mynd’

To make sentences negative, simply insert ‘ddim’ after the form of ‘bod’:

• Dw i ddim yn mynd – I am not going
• Es i ddim – I did not go
• Bydda i ddim yn mynd – I will not be going

In the simple future, the negative is:

• Na’ i ddim – I will not go

Common Expressions with ‘Mynd’

Here are a few everyday Welsh expressions using ‘mynd’:

• Mynd adref – To go home
• Mynd i’r ysgol – To go to school
• Mynd allan – To go out
• Mynd am dro – To go for a walk

Practice Makes Perfect

The best way to master ‘mynd’ in different tenses is through regular practice and exposure. Try forming your own sentences, listen to Welsh speakers, and use digital resources like the Talkpal AI language learning app to reinforce your understanding. With time, using ‘mynd’ in all its forms will become second nature.

Conclusion

‘Mynd’ is a cornerstone verb in Welsh, and being able to use it in different tenses will dramatically improve your ability to communicate. Whether you’re speaking, listening, or writing, these patterns will help you express yourself clearly. For more tips, interactive exercises, and Welsh language support, visit the Talkpal AI language learning blog and continue your language journey with confidence.