Hir – Long
The Welsh word hir translates to “long” in English. It is used to describe something that has a considerable length from end to end. Whether you are talking about a river, a piece of string, or even a period of time, hir is the word you would use.
Hir: Long
Mae’r afon hon yn hir iawn.
(This river is very long.)
When using hir, it’s important to focus on the length of an object or a duration of time rather than its height. Here are some more examples to illustrate its usage:
Afon: River
Mae’r afon yn rhedeg trwy’r dref.
(The river runs through the town.)
Llinyn: String
Mae’r llinyn hwn yn rhy hir.
(This string is too long.)
Cyfnod: Period
Roedd y cyfnod hwnnw yn hir iawn.
(That period was very long.)
More Contexts for Hir
Hir can also be used in a more abstract sense to describe intangible lengths, such as time or distance.
Amser: Time
Cymrodd hynny lawer o amser hir.
(That took a very long time.)
Pellter: Distance
Cerddodd hi pellter hir.
(She walked a long distance.)
Uchel – Tall
On the other hand, uchel means “tall” or “high” and is used to describe the height of an object or person. When you want to talk about the vertical dimension, uchel is your go-to word.
Uchel: Tall/High
Mae’r adeilad hwn yn uchel iawn.
(This building is very tall.)
Uchel is more appropriate for situations involving height, such as buildings, mountains, or the height of a person.
Adeilad: Building
Mae’r adeilad hwn yn uchel ac yn drawiadol.
(This building is tall and impressive.)
Mynydd: Mountain
Mae’r mynydd yn uchel ac yn heriol.
(The mountain is tall and challenging.)
Person: Person
Mae e’n person uchel.
(He is a tall person.)
More Contexts for Uchel
Uchel is also used to describe abstract heights, such as levels of sound or quality.
Sain: Sound
Mae’r sain yn rhy uchel.
(The sound is too high/loud.)
Ansawdd: Quality
Mae ansawdd y gwaith yn uchel iawn.
(The quality of the work is very high.)
Distinguishing Between Hir and Uchel
A common mistake for English speakers learning Welsh is using hir and uchel interchangeably. To avoid this, remember that hir is about length and uchel is about height.
Practical Examples
Consider a few more practical examples to solidify your understanding:
Coeden: Tree
Mae’r goeden hon yn uchel iawn.
(This tree is very tall.)
Ffilm: Film
Mae’r ffilm yn hir iawn.
(The film is very long.)
Ffordd: Road
Mae’r ffordd hon yn hir ac yn syth.
(This road is long and straight.)
Wal: Wall
Mae’r wal yn uchel ac yn gadarn.
(The wall is tall and sturdy.)
Common Phrases and Idioms
Welsh, like any language, has its own set of idiomatic expressions. Some of these involve the words hir and uchel.
Hir o hyd: Long-lasting
Bydd y cof am y digwyddiad hwn yn hir o hyd.
(The memory of this event will be long-lasting.)
Uchel ei barch: Highly respected
Mae’n uchel ei barch yn y gymuned.
(He is highly respected in the community.)
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between hir and uchel is crucial for accurate communication in Welsh. While both words deal with dimensions, their contexts differ significantly. Hir relates to length, whether it be physical or temporal, whereas uchel pertains to height or levels.
By practicing with these words in various contexts, you will become more comfortable with their correct usage. Remember, language learning is a gradual process, and mastery comes with time and practice. Keep these distinctions in mind, and you will find yourself using hir and uchel accurately in no time.
Happy learning!
