Welsh, or Cymraeg, is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages. Spoken predominantly in Wales, it boasts a rich cultural history and unique linguistic characteristics. One of the first steps in learning any language is mastering its numbers. This guide will walk you through counting from 1 to 50 in Welsh, complete with pronunciation tips and practical examples.

Basic Numbers: 1 to 10

Understanding the basics is crucial before moving on to more complex numbers. Here’s how you count from one to ten in Welsh:

1. Un (pronounced “een”)
2. Dau (pronounced “die”)
3. Tri (pronounced “tree”)
4. Pedwar (pronounced “ped-war”)
5. Pump (pronounced “pimp”)
6. Chwech (pronounced “chwech”)
7. Saith (pronounced “sigh-th”)
8. Wyth (pronounced “oo-ith”)
9. Naw (pronounced “now”)
10. Deg (pronounced “deg”)

Numbers: 11 to 20

The numbers from 11 to 20 in Welsh follow a slightly different pattern compared to English. Here’s how you can count from eleven to twenty:

11. Un ar ddeg (pronounced “een ar theyg”)
12. Deuddeg (pronounced “day-thaig”)
13. Tri ar ddeg (pronounced “tree ar theyg”)
14. Pedwar ar ddeg (pronounced “ped-war ar theyg”)
15. Pymtheg (pronounced “pum-theg”)
16. Un ar bymtheg (pronounced “een ar pum-theg”)
17. Dau ar bymtheg (pronounced “die ar pum-theg”)
18. Deunaw (pronounced “day-now”)
19. Pedwar ar bymtheg (pronounced “ped-war ar pum-theg”)
20. Ugain (pronounced “ee-gain”)

Numbers: 21 to 30

Counting from 21 to 30 in Welsh introduces another pattern, where the suffix “ar ugain” is used to denote numbers above twenty:

21. Un ar hugain (pronounced “een ar hig-ain”)
22. Dau ar hugain (pronounced “die ar hig-ain”)
23. Tri ar hugain (pronounced “tree ar hig-ain”)
24. Pedwar ar hugain (pronounced “ped-war ar hig-ain”)
25. Pump ar hugain (pronounced “pimp ar hig-ain”)
26. Chwech ar hugain (pronounced “chwech ar hig-ain”)
27. Saith ar hugain (pronounced “sigh-th ar hig-ain”)
28. Wyth ar hugain (pronounced “oo-ith ar hig-ain”)
29. Naw ar hugain (pronounced “now ar hig-ain”)
30. Deg ar hugain (pronounced “deg ar hig-ain”)

Numbers: 31 to 40

The pattern for numbers from 31 to 40 follows a similar structure:

31. Un ar deg ar hugain (pronounced “een ar deg ar hig-ain”)
32. Dau ar deg ar hugain (pronounced “die ar deg ar hig-ain”)
33. Tri ar deg ar hugain (pronounced “tree ar deg ar hig-ain”)
34. Pedwar ar deg ar hugain (pronounced “ped-war ar deg ar hig-ain”)
35. Pymtheg ar hugain (pronounced “pum-theg ar hig-ain”)
36. Un ar bymtheg ar hugain (pronounced “een ar pum-theg ar hig-ain”)
37. Dau ar bymtheg ar hugain (pronounced “die ar pum-theg ar hig-ain”)
38. Deunaw ar hugain (pronounced “day-now ar hig-ain”)
39. Pedwar ar bymtheg ar hugain (pronounced “ped-war ar pum-theg ar hig-ain”)
40. Deugain (pronounced “day-gain”)

Numbers: 41 to 50

Finally, counting from 41 to 50 involves extending the pattern established for earlier numbers:

41. Un ar deugain (pronounced “een ar day-gain”)
42. Dau ar deugain (pronounced “die ar day-gain”)
43. Tri ar deugain (pronounced “tree ar day-gain”)
44. Pedwar ar deugain (pronounced “ped-war ar day-gain”)
45. Pymtheg ar deugain (pronounced “pum-theg ar day-gain”)
46. Un ar bymtheg ar deugain (pronounced “een ar pum-theg ar day-gain”)
47. Dau ar bymtheg ar deugain (pronounced “die ar pum-theg ar day-gain”)
48. Deunaw ar deugain (pronounced “day-now ar day-gain”)
49. Pedwar ar bymtheg ar deugain (pronounced “ped-war ar pum-theg ar day-gain”)
50. Hanner cant (pronounced “han-ner kant”)

Pronunciation Tips

Mastering the pronunciation of Welsh numbers can be challenging due to unique sounds not found in English. Here are some tips to help you:

1. “Un”: The Welsh “u” is pronounced like the “ee” in “see,” making “un” sound like “een.”
2. “Dau”: Similar to the English word “die,” but with a softer “d” sound.
3. “Chwech”: The “ch” is guttural, similar to the Scottish “loch.”
4. “Deg”: Pronounce it as “deg,” but with a softer “g” sound.
5. “Hanner cant”: Pronounce “hanner” as “han-ner” and “cant” as “kant.”

Practice these pronunciations with native speakers or online resources for the best results.

Practical Applications

Understanding numbers is crucial for various practical applications. Here are some scenarios where you might use Welsh numbers:

1. Telling Time: Knowing numbers is essential for telling time. For example, “It’s 3 o’clock” translates to “Mae hi’n dri o’r gloch.”
2. Shopping: Numbers are vital when shopping, especially for counting money and quantities. For example, “How much does this cost?” is “Faint mae hwn yn costio?”
3. Dates: Dates often require numbers. For example, “Today is the 15th of March” translates to “Heddiw yw’r pymthegfed o Fawrth.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learning a new language involves making mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for when counting in Welsh:

1. Incorrect Pronunciation: Mispronouncing numbers can lead to misunderstandings. Practice regularly to improve your pronunciation.
2. Mixing Number Patterns: Welsh numbers have unique patterns. Ensure you follow the correct structure, especially for numbers above ten.
3. Forgetting Mutations: Welsh features initial consonant mutations, which can affect how numbers are used in sentences. For example, “two” is “dau,” but “second” is “ail” due to mutation.

Additional Resources

To further enhance your understanding of Welsh numbers, consider using the following resources:

1. Language Apps: Apps like Duolingo and Memrise offer Welsh courses, including numbers.
2. Online Courses: Websites like SaySomethinginWelsh provide comprehensive Welsh language courses.
3. Books: Invest in Welsh language books, such as “Welsh for Beginners” by Heini Gruffudd.
4. Native Speakers: Practice with native Welsh speakers to improve your fluency and pronunciation.

Conclusion

Counting to 50 in Welsh is a fundamental skill that opens doors to deeper language understanding. By mastering the basics, recognizing patterns, and practicing regularly, you can achieve fluency in Welsh numbers. Remember to use resources like language apps, online courses, and native speakers to reinforce your learning. Happy counting!