siarad Saesneg
/ˈʃarad ˈseɨ̯snɛɡ/word by word
To speak English in Welsh is siarad Saesneg.
This phrase is used to describe the act of communicating using the English language.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of siarad (to speak) and Saesneg (English).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Welsh, the verb siarad (to speak) does not require a preposition like 'in' before the language name.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃarad ˈseɨ̯snɛɡ/
Did you know?
- There is a theory that the Welsh verb siarad might actually be a very old loanword from English, possibly originating from the word 'charade'.
- In Wales, the phrase siarad Saesneg is often used in a social context as a signal to switch languages, rather than just describing an ability.
Examples in context
- Wyt ti'n siarad Saesneg?Do you speak English?Tatoeba #1979956 by Sisial, translation #378270 by saeb
- Galla i'n siarad Saesneg yn barod.I can already speak English.Tatoeba #8994959 by Paigecm, translation #7843615 by sharris123
- Rwy'n gofyn i chi a allwch chi siarad Saesneg?I'm asking if you can speak English.
- Ti'n siarad Saesneg yn dda iawn!You speak English very well!
- Ydw, dwi'n gallu siarad Saesneg yn rhugl.Yes, I can speak English fluently.
- Ydw, dyma fe. Siaradwch Saesneg?Yes, here it is. Do you speak English?
- Mae hi'n anodd siarad Saesneg.It is difficult to speak English.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sian and Rhys are meeting a tourist in town.
- SianYdy'r dyn hwn yn siarad Saesneg?Does this man speak English?
- Rhysdoes not think so, Sian.I don't think so, Sian.
- SianYn rhyfedd, dwi'n meddwel ei fod yn siarad Saesneg.Strangely, I think he speaks English.
- RhysGobaith y dwell yn siarad Saesneg felly.Hopefully he speaks English then.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (siarad, Saesneg) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Saesneg, siarad, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
