What Does ‘Nes i’ Mean in Welsh?
‘Nes i’ is the standard way to say “I did” or “I made” in Welsh. It is the past tense form of the verb ‘gwneud’, which means “to do” or “to make”. Essentially, ‘nes i’ is equivalent to “I did” in English and serves as a foundation for forming past tense sentences in Welsh.
How to Form Sentences with ‘Nes i’
To use ‘nes i’ to talk about the past, simply follow this structure:
- Nes i + verb (in the infinitive)
This structure works for most verbs and allows you to communicate a wide range of actions you did in the past. Here are some examples:
- Nes i fwyta – I ate
- Nes i fynd – I went
- Nes i weld – I saw
- Nes i ddysgu – I learned
Adding Objects and Details
You can expand your sentences by adding objects or details:
- Nes i fwyta brecwast – I ate breakfast
- Nes i fynd i’r ysgol – I went to school
- Nes i weld ffilm neithiwr – I saw a film last night
How to Change the Subject
The phrase changes depending on who did the action. Here’s how to use it with different subjects:
- Nes i – I did
- Nest ti – You did (informal)
- Nes e – He did
- Nes hi – She did
- Neson ni – We did
- Nesoch chi – You did (formal/plural)
- Neson nhw – They did
For example, Nes e fwyta means “He ate”, and Neson nhw fynd means “They went”.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t conjugate the verb after ‘nes i’. The second verb should always be in its basic (infinitive) form. For example, say nes i fwyta (not nes i fwytais).
- Remember to use the correct form of ‘nes’ for the subject.
- Don’t confuse ‘nes i’ with ‘wnes i’, which is an alternative literary form but less common in everyday spoken Welsh.
Practice Makes Perfect
Practising with real-life examples is the best way to master this structure. At Talkpal, we recommend writing a diary entry in Welsh using ‘nes i’ sentences, such as:
- Nes i ddarllen llyfr – I read a book
- Nes i siarad gyda fy ffrind – I spoke with my friend
- Nes i ddysgu gair newydd – I learned a new word
Try to use ‘nes i’ every day to talk about what you did, and you’ll quickly become more confident in forming past tense sentences in Welsh.
When Not to Use ‘Nes i’
While ‘nes i’ is very common, it’s not the only way to talk about the past in Welsh. For some verbs or in more formal or literary Welsh, you might see different past tense forms. However, for everyday conversation and most learning situations, ‘nes i’ is the perfect tool for beginners and intermediate learners alike.
Conclusion
Mastering ‘nes i’ will open up a whole new world of communication in Welsh, allowing you to share stories, describe your experiences, and connect more deeply with Welsh speakers. Keep practising with the tips and examples above, and don’t forget to use resources like Talkpal to support your Welsh language learning journey. Pob lwc – good luck!
