If you've been learning Welsh for a while, you’ve probably hit the point where basic sentences just don’t cut it anymore. You want to express nuance, conditionality, and layers of meaning - not just "Dw i’n hoffi coffi" (I like coffee). Good news: this guide will show you how to build complex sentences in Welsh without losing your mind.
Why Complex Sentences Matter
Simple sentences are fine for ordering food or introducing yourself, but if you want to argue, persuade, or tell a story, you need more. Complex sentences let you combine ideas, show cause and effect, and add depth to your speech. Welsh does this with conjunctions, mutations, and a bit of word-order finesse.
Conjunctions: The Glue of Complex Sentences
Conjunctions like "os" (if), "pan" (when), and "er bod" (although) are your best friends here. They let you link clauses together logically. For example:
- "Dw i’n mynd i’r sinema os bydd hi’n bwrw glaw." (I’ll go to the cinema if it rains.)
- "Pan oeddwn i’n ifanc, roeddwn i’n hoffi chwarae pêl-droed." (When I was young, I liked playing football.)
Notice how the verb tenses shift depending on the conjunction. "Os" often triggers a future tense, while "pan" usually requires past or imperfect.
Relative Clauses: Adding Detail Without Rambling
Relative clauses (introduced by "sy’n", "sydd", "y", etc.) let you pack extra information into a sentence neatly. Compare:
- Basic: "Mae’r llyfr yn ddiddorol." (The book is interesting.)
- Complex: "Mae’r llyfr sy’n seiliedig ar hanes Cymru yn ddiddorol." (The book that’s based on Welsh history is interesting.)
The key is knowing when to use "sy’n" (for present tense) versus "a" (for past actions). Mess this up, and your sentence collapses like a poorly built cawl.
Cawl
/kau̯l/“Traditional Welsh broth”
Mutations in Complex Sentences
Welsh loves mutations, and complex sentences are no exception. Certain conjunctions trigger soft mutations (e.g., "pe" for hypotheticals), while others don’t. For example:
- "Pe bawn i’n gyfoethog, byddwn i’n prynu car newydd." (If I were rich, I’d buy a new car.)
Here, "pe" soft-mutates "byddwn" to "bawn". Miss this, and you’ll sound like a learner - which is fine, but not the goal here.
Practice Exercises (Because Theory Alone Won’t Cut It)
Try converting these simple sentences into complex ones using conjunctions or relative clauses:
- "Dw i’n mynd i’r parc." (I’m going to the park.) → Add a condition ("if it’s sunny").
- "Mae’r ffilm yn dda." (The film is good.) → Add a relative clause ("that won an award").
Next Steps
Once you’re comfortable with complex sentences, try weaving them into longer narratives or debates. For poetic flair, our guide on Crafting Welsh Poetry: A Guide to Rhyming and Meter might help.
Remember: complexity isn’t about showing off. It’s about saying what you mean, precisely and elegantly. Now go forth and mutate those verbs like a pro.
