iawn
/jau̯n/
The Welsh word for okay is iawn.
iawn is used as an interjection to express agreement, meaning 'okay'. It also functions as an adverb meaning 'very' or 'well' in many contexts.
Meaning: OK (intj)
Which one should you use?
In Welsh, iawn can mean both 'okay' (as an agreement) and 'very' (as an intensifier), whereas in English these are distinct functions.
How does it change in a sentence?
While used as an interjection meaning 'okay', iawn also functions as an adverb meaning 'very' or 'well' in many contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
/jau̯n/
Did you know?
- The word iawn shares a distant ancestor with the English word 'noble', stemming from the Proto-Celtic *yānos which meant 'true' or 'noble'.
- In Welsh social interactions, using iawn to mean 'that is sufficient' can carry a sense of finality. It can act as a verbal way to close a topic or a conversation.
- The word iawn can be much more forceful than the English 'very'. In many Welsh dialects, using it as an intensifier makes a statement sound absolute or certain rather than just adding degree.
Examples in context
- Iawn.Okay.This example shows how to use iawn as a standalone response.Tatoeba #8657524 by loch_nessie, translation #1391646 by enteka
- IawnOkay
- Mae hynny'n iawn.That is okay.
- Wyt ti'n iawn?Are you okay?
Example conversation
Dylan and Rhiannon are agreeing on a time to meet.
- DylanYdy saith o'r gloch yn iawn?Is seven o'clock okay?
- RhiannonIawn, gwelwn i chi wedyn.Okay, I will see you later.
- DylanDa, iawn.Good, okay.
- RhiannonHwyl, Dylan!Bye, Dylan!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry iawn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries iawn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
