beth
/beːθ/
The Welsh word for "what" is beth.
beth is primarily used as an interrogative pronoun to ask questions. It can also function as an interrogative determiner or as an interjection to express surprise or shock, much like the English "What!"
Meaning: what? (interrogative pronoun) (pron)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using beth as an interrogative pronoun in a question, it is often followed by a particle or a specific verb form to properly structure the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
/beːθ/
Did you know?
- The word beth is actually a mutated form of the word peth, which means 'thing'.
- Welsh uses different words for 'what' depending on whether the question is open-ended or choosing from a set, unlike English where 'what' often covers both.
- While beth means 'what', the Welsh language has no single word that translates exactly to the English 'what' when it is used as a relative pronoun in a phrase like 'what I want'.
Examples in context
- Gwna beth sy'n iawn.Do what is right.This sentence shows how to use beth in the context of doing what is right.Tatoeba #1963978 by Sisial, translation #271578 by CM
- Beth wyt ti'n wneud?What are you doing?This sentence demonstrates asking a question with beth about someone's current actions.Tatoeba #8118109 by SteCymru14, translation #16492 by CK
- Beth ydy Tom yn darllen?What is Tom reading?This sentence shows a question using beth to ask about a specific person's activity.Tatoeba #1981989 by Sisial, translation #3688221 by tom0483
- Beth yw eich barn chi?What is your opinion?
- Beth yw'r arddangosfa hon?What is this exhibition?
- Beth mae'r newyddion?What's the news?
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rhiannon and Rhys are talking about a gift.
- RhiannonBeth yw'r anrheg i Rhys?What is the gift for Rhys?
- RhysMae'n llyfr newydd.It is a new book.
- RhiannonBeth sy'n ysgrifennedig ynddo?What is written in it?
- RhysNi wn i ddyfyn.I don't know.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “what” translations and entries beth, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries beth, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
