da iawn
/daː jau̯n/word by word
The English phrase 'bravo' is translated into Welsh as da iawn.
You use da iawn to mean 'very good' or to express 'bravo'. For a more casual way to tell someone they are doing a great job, you might say Da iawn ti, which combines the phrase with the word for 'you'.
Meaning: interjection (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase da iawn is a literal translation of 'good very'.
Which one should you use?
While da iawn is used for 'bravo' or 'very good', the single word da simply means 'good'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word da (good) is an adjective that does not change its form to agree with gender or number in this context.
How do you pronounce it?
/daː jau̯n/
Did you know?
- The word iawn originally meant 'true' or 'noble' in its Proto-Celtic roots, though today it functions primarily as an intensifier like 'very'.
- In Welsh, adding ti to create da iawn ti specifically targets a person you are close with, as ti is the informal version of 'you'.
- The phrase da iawn is so versatile that it can be used as a sincere compliment or, depending on the tone, as a sarcastic remark.
Examples in context
- Ti'n seren, da iawn!You're a star, well done!
- Da iawn, Sian!Very well done, Sian!
- Da iawn, mae'r gwaith wedi gorffen.Very well done, the work is finished.
Example conversation
Sian and Rhys are at a music recital.
- SianDa iawn, Rhys!Bravo, Rhys!
- RhysDiolch yn fawr, Sian.Thank you very much, Sian.
- SianRoedd hynny'n hyfryd.That was lovely.
- RhysYn garedig iawn.Very kind of you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry da iawn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (da, iawn) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries da, iawn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
