Basic Relative Clauses in Welsh

Overview

Relative clauses allow you to describe and identify things by adding extra information: "the man who works here," "the book that I read." At the A2 level, learning basic relative clauses in Welsh introduces you to the important relative pronoun "sy/sydd," which replaces "mae" when the antecedent is the subject of the relative clause.

Welsh relative clauses work differently from English ones. The relative particle "sy'n" (short for "sydd yn") is used in present tense affirmative relative clauses where the described noun is the subject. Understanding this construction is essential for natural Welsh expression.

How It Works

Subject Relative Clauses with Sy/Sydd

When the noun being described is the subject of the relative clause, use "sy'n" (or "sydd yn"):

Welsh	English
y dyn sy'n gweithio yma	the man who works here
y ci sydd yn yr ardd	the dog that is in the garden
y plant sy'n chwarae	the children who are playing

Key Rule

"Sy/sydd" replaces "mae" in relative clauses:

• Normal: Mae e'n gweithio yma. (He works here.)
• Relative: y dyn sy'n gweithio yma (the man who works here)

Negative Relative: Sydd ddim / Nad yw

Welsh	English
y dyn sydd ddim yn dod	the man who is not coming
y ferch nad yw'n hapus	the girl who is not happy

Examples in Context

Welsh	English	Note
y dyn sy'n gweithio yma	the man who works here	Subject relative
y ci sydd yn yr ardd	the dog that is in the garden	Location
y plant sy'n chwarae	the children who are playing	Action
y ferch sy'n canu	the girl who is singing	Feminine noun
y bobl sy'n byw yma	the people who live here	Plural
y llyfr sydd ar y bwrdd	the book that is on the table	Object location
y car sydd ddim yn gweithio	the car that is not working	Negative
Pwy sy'n dod?	Who is coming?	Question with "sy'n"
Beth sydd yn y bocs?	What is in the box?	Question with "sydd"
y dref sy'n enwog	the town that is famous	Description

Common Mistakes

Using "mae" instead of "sy/sydd" in relative clauses

• Wrong: y dyn mae'n gweithio yma
• Right: y dyn sy'n gweithio yma
• Why: In relative clauses where the described noun is the subject, "mae" is replaced by "sy/sydd."

Forgetting "yn" after "sydd"

• Wrong: y dyn sydd gweithio
• Right: y dyn sydd yn gweithio or y dyn sy'n gweithio
• Why: "Yn" is still needed to link to the verb-noun or adjective, just as with "mae."

Using "sy" for non-subject relative clauses

• Wrong: y llyfr sy darllenais i
• Right: y llyfr darllenais i or y llyfr wnes i ddarllen
• Why: "Sy/sydd" is only for subject relatives. Object relatives use different constructions.

Usage Notes

"Sy" and "sydd" are interchangeable forms of the same word. "Sy" is used before "'n" (sy'n gweithio) and "sydd" before other words (sydd yn yr ardd, sydd ar y bwrdd). In spoken Welsh, "sy'n" is far more frequent.

The "sy/sydd" construction is one of the most characteristic features of Welsh syntax. It appears in questions (Pwy sy'n dod?), emphatic sentences (Fi sy'n gwybod), and descriptions.

Practice Tips

1. Transform sentences: Take "Mae e'n gweithio" and convert it to "y dyn sy'n gweithio." Do this with ten different sentences.

2. Describe people: Practice describing people using relative clauses: "y ferch sy'n gwisgo cot goch" (the girl who is wearing a red coat).

3. Use with "pwy" and "beth": Practice questions: "Pwy sy'n dod?" (Who is coming?), "Beth sydd yn y bag?" (What is in the bag?).

Related Concepts

• Bod - Present Tense
• Noun Clauses
• Advanced Relative Clauses