y
/ə/
The Welsh word for "the" is y.
Meaning: article (article)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the definite article changes based on the sound that follows it. Use y before words starting with a consonant. However, the article changes to yr before a word starting with a vowel or the letter h. For example, when saying "the one", you might use y un or yr un depending on the following sound.
How do you pronounce it?
/ə/
Did you know?
- The modern Welsh word y is actually a merger of two different ancient particles: one meaning 'here' and another meaning 'thus'.
- Unlike English, which has 'the' for everything, the Welsh article y interacts with a system of initial mutations that can change the first letter of the noun it precedes.
- Welsh uses the definite article more frequently than English, often using y where an English speaker would use no article at all.
Examples in context
- Mae’r dŵr yn lân.The water is clean.This sentence shows how to use y when referring to water.Tatoeba #8115207 by SteCymru14, translation #2977196 by CK
- Mae'r tywydd yn oer.The weather is cold.This sentence shows how to use y when referring to the weather.Tatoeba #6889939 by Sisial, translation #1766684 by AlanF_US
- Ai ti brynith y bwyd?Is it you who'll buy the food?This sentence shows how to use y when referring to food.Tatoeba #8118120 by SteCymru14, translation #873153 by CK
- y tyThe house
- y cathodThe cats
- y gath wenThe white cat
- y arddThe garden
- yr haulThe sun
- 216 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gareth and Rhiannon are looking for a book in a room.
- GarethBle mae y llyfr?Where is the book?
- RhiannonMae y llyfr ar y bwrdd.The book is on the table.
- GarethDiolch, Rhiannon.Thanks, Rhiannon.
- RhiannonDa iawn, Gareth.You're welcome, Gareth.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “the” translations and entries y, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
