Welsh Interrogative Pronouns: An Overview

Welsh interrogative pronouns are words that stand in for nouns and are used exclusively when inquiring about particular details. They aim to extract information from the person responding to the question. The primary interrogative pronouns in Welsh are:

• Pwy – Who
• Beth – What
• Ble – Where
• Pryd – When
• Pam – Why
• Sut – How

Question Formation with Welsh Interrogative Pronouns

Using interrogative pronouns accurately is fundamental to formulating questions in Welsh. Each pronoun is instrumental in eliciting particular details, which will be further elaborated upon below.

Pwy: Asking About People

Employ the pronoun pwy when seeking information about an individual or a group of people. Pwy corresponds to the English pronoun “who.” Examples of usage include:

• Pwy yw’r athro yma? – Who is this teacher?
• Pwy ddaw i’r parti? – Who’s coming to the party?

Beth: Inquiring About Objects or Situations

Incorporate the pronoun beth when you need specifics about an object or situation. This Welsh pronoun translates simply to “what.” A few examples include:

• Beth ydy dy enw di? – What is your name?
• Beth wyt ti’n wneud? – What are you doing?

Ble: Locating a Place

Utilize the pronoun ble when asking about a specific location. This Welsh interrogative pronoun means “where.” Some examples for clarity:

• Ble ydw i? – Where am I?
• Ble mae’r orsaf drenau? – Where is the train station?

Pryd: Determining a Time Frame

Use the pronoun pryd to inquire about the time of an event or action. In English, this interrogative pronoun translates to “when.” Examples:

• Pryd fydd y cyfarfod? – When is the meeting?
• Pryd ddaw Siân adref? – When will Siân come home?

Pam: Uncovering the Reason

Make use of the pronoun pam to inquire about the cause or justification for an action or event. It translates to the English word “why.” For example:

• Pam wyt ti’n mynd adref? – Why are you going home?
• Pam dydych chi’n hoffi’r gwaith hwn? – Why do you like this job?

Sut: Gaining an Explanation

Select the interrogative pronoun sut when requesting a description or explanation. This Welsh pronoun means “how.” Examples of its usage:

• Sut mae’r tywydd heddiw? – How is the weather today?
• Sut weli di’r ffilm? – How did you find the film?

Conclusion

As demonstrated, interrogative pronouns are essential components of Welsh grammar. By familiarizing yourself with each pronoun and understanding their various usages, you can effectively communicate your questions and inquiries within the Welsh language. With the detailed explanations provided in this article, take the next step in your linguistic journey by incorporating these valuable pronouns into your everyday interactions.