y ddinas hiraf
The English phrase "the longest city" is translated into Welsh as y ddinas hiraf.
This phrase is used to describe a city that possesses the greatest length or measurement in comparison to other cities.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase consists of the definite article y followed by the noun ddinas and the superlative adjective hiraf.
Did you know?
- The word ddinas for 'city' begins with a 'd' that has been softened to a 'dd' sound because of the preceding article y. This is a linguistic phenomenon called initial consonant mutation.
- In Welsh, the word ddinas originally referred to a hillfort or a fortified place rather than a modern urban center.
- The particle y stems from Proto-Celtic roots that originally meant 'here' or 'thus' rather than just serving as a definite article.
Example conversation
Gareth and Rhiannon are studying a map together.
- GarethEdrychwch ar y map hwn, Rhiannon.Look at this map, Rhiannon.
- RhiannonYdy hwn yn dangos y ddinas hiraf?Does this show the longest city?
- GarethYdy, mae'n ymestyn am milloedd.Yes, it stretches for miles.
- RhiannonMae hynny'n rhyfedd iawn.That is very strange.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
