Learning a new language is an exciting journey, and when it comes to Welsh, the rich history and unique sound of the language make it a fascinating subject to delve into. Whether you’re planning a trip to Wales, looking to connect with your Welsh heritage, or simply intrigued by this Celtic language, knowing some basic phrases can be incredibly helpful. In this article, we will cover essential Welsh phrases for beginners, including greetings, common questions, and other useful expressions to get you started.

### Greetings

Greetings are the most basic yet essential part of any conversation. In Welsh, just like in English, there are different greetings depending on the time of day and the formality of the situation.

Good morning:
Bore da – Pronounced “bore-eh dah”

Good afternoon:
Prynhawn da – Pronounced “prin-houn dah”

Good evening:
Noswaith dda – Pronounced “nos-waith thah”

Hello (informal):
Shwmae or Sut mae – Pronounced “shoo-my” or “sit my”

Goodbye:
Hwyl (informal) – Pronounced “who-eel”
Ffarwel (formal) – Pronounced “var-well”

### Common Questions

Being able to ask questions is crucial when you are learning a new language. Here are some common questions in Welsh that you might find useful.

How are you?:
Sut wyt ti? (informal) – Pronounced “sit wit tee”
Sut ydych chi? (formal) – Pronounced “sit uh-dikh chee”

What’s your name?:
Beth yw dy enw di? (informal) – Pronounced “beth ew duh enw dee”
Beth yw eich enw chi? (formal) – Pronounced “beth ew aich enw chee”

Where are you from?:
O ble wyt ti? (informal) – Pronounced “oh bleh wit tee”
O ble ydych chi? (formal) – Pronounced “oh bleh uh-dikh chee”

### Expressing Gratitude

Expressing gratitude is not only polite but also creates a positive impression. Here are the ways you can say thank you in Welsh.

Thank you:
Diolch – Pronounced “dee-olch”

Thank you very much:
Diolch yn fawr – Pronounced “dee-olch un vour”

### Apologies and Courtesies

Sometimes, you might need to apologize or ask for something politely. Here are some phrases that might come in handy.

Excuse me:
Esgusodwch fi – Pronounced “es-gi-so-dooch vee”

I’m sorry:
Mae’n ddrwg gen i – Pronounced “mine throog gen ee”

Please:
Os gwelwch yn dda – Pronounced “os gwel-ookh un thah”

### Numbers

Numbers are fundamental in any language, from telling the time to shopping. Here’s how you can count from one to ten in Welsh.

One:
Un – Pronounced “een”

Two:
Dau – Pronounced “dai”

Three:
Tri – Pronounced “tree”

Four:
Pedwar – Pronounced “ped-war”

Five:
Pump – Pronounced “pimp”

Six:
Chwech – Pronounced “kwekh”

Seven:
Saith – Pronounced “saith”

Eight:
Wyth – Pronounced “oo-ith”

Nine:
Naw – Pronounced “nau”

Ten:
Deg – Pronounced “deg”

### Basic Conversation

To wrap up, let’s look at a simple conversation in Welsh that incorporates some of the phrases we’ve learned.

– Shwmae! Sut wyt ti?
Hello! How are you?

– Da iawn, diolch. Sut wyt ti?
Very good, thank you. How are you?

– Iawn, diolch. Beth yw dy enw di?
Fine, thank you. What’s your name?

– Fy enw i yw John. A ti?
My name is John. And you?

– Fy enw i yw Sarah.
My name is Sarah.

### Conclusion

Starting with these basic phrases will not only help you communicate in Welsh but also deepen your appreciation for the language and culture. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to use these phrases as much as possible. Pob lwc! (Good luck!)