fy enw
/və ˈɛnu/word by word
The Welsh phrase for "my name" is fy enw.
fy enw is used to refer to the name that belongs to the person speaking.
How does it change in a sentence?
In a full sentence, the possessive phrase fy enw is often followed by the pronoun i to clarify that it means "my" specifically, resulting in the construction fy enw i.
How do you pronounce it?
/və ˈɛnu/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often forget to add the pronoun i at the end of the phrase when using it in a complete sentence like Fy enw i yw…
Did you know?
- In traditional Welsh culture, names were often passed down through a patronymic system, meaning your enw would historically include your father's name as a prefix.
- When introducing yourself using fy enw, a Welsh speaker might use a soft mutation on other words in the sentence, a grammatical feature where the start of a word changes sound.
- The Welsh word for 'name' enw is a distant relative of the English word 'name' because both descend from the same prehistoric Proto-Indo-European root *h₁nómn̥.
Examples in context
- Sasha yw fy enw i.My name is Sasha.This sentence shows how to use fy enw to state your name.Tatoeba #3138743 by SteCymru14, translation #567334 by Manfredo
- S'mae, fy enw i yw Pekka. Beth yw dy enw di?Hi, my name is Pekka. What is your name?This sentence demonstrates an introduction using fy enw and asks for the listener's name.Tatoeba #1978690 by Sisial, translation #1014525 by CN
- Fy enw I yw Jack.My name is Jack.This sentence provides an alternative way to state your name using fy enw.Tatoeba #3608146 by xLilithx, translation #1646 by CN
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people meet for the first time at a party.
- OwainHelo! Fy enw i yw Owain.Hello! My name is Owain.
- SianSut mae, Owain. Sian yw fy enw i.Hi, Owain. My name is Sian.
- OwainYdy Sian yn enw Cymreig?Is Sian a Welsh name?
- SianYdy, mae'n enw Cymreig.Yes, it is a Welsh name.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (fy, enw) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries enw, fy, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
