Welsh adjectives are deceptively simple. Words like bach (small) and mawr (big) might seem straightforward, but their usage involves mutations, word order quirks, and a few surprises. This guide breaks it all down.
The basics: Where adjectives go in Welsh
Unlike English, Welsh adjectives usually come after the noun. For example:
- English: A big house
- Welsh: tŷ mawr (house big)
Some adjectives, like hen (old) and prif (main), come before the noun. But these are exceptions.
Mutations: When adjectives change form
Welsh mutations affect adjectives too. After feminine singular nouns, soft mutation often applies:
| Masculine | Feminine | Example |
|---|---|---|
| bach | fach | ci bach (small dog) / cath fach (small cat) |
| mawr | fawr | car mawr (big car) / bwthyn fawr (big cottage) |
Mawr
/mau̯r/“Big”
The standard form of 'big' in Welsh. Mutates to 'fawr' after feminine singular nouns.
Comparatives and superlatives
Welsh has two ways to form comparisons:
- Add -ach for comparatives (mwy is also used for some adjectives):
- bach → llai (smaller), mawr → mwy (bigger)
- Add -af for superlatives: bach → lleiaf (smallest), mawr → mwyaf (biggest)
For more on sentence structure, see our guide on Welsh for Beginners: A Guide to Basic Sentence Structure.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting mutations after feminine nouns (cath fach, not cath bach)
- Putting adjectives before nouns when they should come after
- Using English word order in comparisons (mwy na means 'more than', not 'bigger than')
Welsh adjectives don't change for plural nouns. Cathod bach (small cats) keeps the masculine form, even though cathod is plural.
Beyond 'bach' and 'mawr': Useful Welsh adjectives
| Welsh | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| newydd | new | Comes before the noun |
| hen | old | Before the noun; doesn't mutate |
| hardd | beautiful | Mutates to ardd after feminine nouns |
For more on Welsh grammar, check out Tackling Advanced Welsh: Building Complex Sentences.
