a chithau
The Welsh phrase for "and you" is a chithau.
This phrase is used to ask the same question back to another person, typically in a formal context.
Which one should you use?
You can also use A chi hefyd or A ti hefyd to mean "and you" depending on the level of formality.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
a chithau is the appropriate way to return a polite inquiry in formal or respectful settings. Use a chithau when addressing someone formally or a group of people. For informal situations, you would use A ti hefyd.
Did you know?
- Because a chithau is used in formal settings, using it with a child or a very close peer might actually come across as unintentionally sarcastic or mockingly polite.
- The word a in a chithau is a remnant of an ancient Proto-Indo-European particle, making it a linguistic relative of the English word 'and' and the Latin 'et'.
- The 'ch' sound in chithau is produced in the back of the throat, similar to the sound in the Scottish word 'loch', rather than being a soft 'ch' as in 'church'.
Examples in context
- Iawn, diolch. A chithau?Good, thank you. And you?This example shows how to use a chithau to politely return a question after answering one.Tatoeba #11559212 by deniko, translation #9135003 by Nylez
- Da iawn, diolch. A chi hefyd?Very well, thank you. And you?
- Shwmae, dim llawer. A ti hefyd?Hi, not much. And you?
Example conversation
Two colleagues meeting in a hallway.
- RhiannonShwmae, Owain. Sut mae pethau?Hello, Owain. How are things?
- OwainYdyn nhw'n dda, diolch. A chithau, Rhiannon?They are good, thank you. And you, Rhiannon?
- RhiannonDda iawn, diolch.Very well, thank you.
- OwainDa iawn. Welwn ni chi wedyn.Great. We'll see you later.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
