Bod - Future Tense in Welsh

Overview

The future tense of "bod" allows you to talk about what will happen, make predictions, and discuss plans. At the B1 level, mastering "bydda i, byddi di, bydd e/hi, byddwn ni, byddwch chi, byddan nhw" opens up your ability to discuss future events, which is essential for planning, promising, and speculating.

The future tense follows the same periphrastic pattern as the present and imperfect — using "bod" as the auxiliary with "yn + verb-noun." It also forms the basis for conditional sentences with "os" (if) and is used in some contexts where English would use the present tense.

How It Works

Future Forms of Bod

Person	Affirmative	Negative	Question
I	Bydda i	Fydda i ddim	Fydda i...?
You (sg)	Byddi di	Fyddi di ddim	Fyddi di...?
He/She	Bydd e/hi	Fydd e/hi ddim	Fydd e/hi...?
We	Byddwn ni	Fyddwn ni ddim	Fyddwn ni...?
You (pl)	Byddwch chi	Fyddwch chi ddim	Fyddwch chi...?
They	Byddan nhw	Fyddan nhw ddim	Fyddan nhw...?

Pattern: Bydd + yn + Verb-Noun

Welsh	English
Bydda i'n mynd yfory.	I will go tomorrow.
Bydd hi'n braf.	It will be fine.
Byddwn ni'n dod.	We will come.

Examples in Context

Welsh	English	Note
Bydda i'n mynd yfory.	I will go tomorrow.	Future plan
Fydd hi'n braf?	Will it be fine?	Weather question
Fyddan nhw ddim yno.	They won't be there.	Negative
Byddwn ni'n aros am awr.	We will wait for an hour.	Duration
Fyddi di'n dod?	Will you come?	Informal question
Bydd e'n gorffen erbyn tri.	He will finish by three.	Deadline
Fydda i ddim yn hwyr.	I won't be late.	Promise
Byddan nhw'n cyrraedd heno.	They will arrive tonight.	Prediction
Byddwch chi'n mwynhau.	You will enjoy (it).	Assurance
Bydd y siop ar gau.	The shop will be closed.	Information

Common Mistakes

Not changing to "F-" for negatives and questions

• Wrong: Bydda i ddim yn dod.
• Right: Fydda i ddim yn dod.
• Why: Negative and question forms undergo soft mutation: Bydd → Fydd.

Confusing future with present

• Wrong: Dw i'n mynd yfory. (while understood)
• Right: Bydda i'n mynd yfory.
• Why: While the present can be used for near future in casual speech, the future tense is more precise and correct.

Forgetting "yn" before verb-nouns

• Wrong: Bydda i mynd.
• Right: Bydda i'n mynd.
• Why: The linking particle "yn/'n" is required, as with all tenses of "bod."

Usage Notes

The future tense of "bod" is also used after "os" (if) in conditional sentences, where English uses the present: "Os bydd hi'n braf, bydda i'n mynd" (If it is fine, I will go). The Welsh uses future in both clauses, unlike English.

In spoken Welsh, shortened forms are common: "fydda i" may sound like "'na i" in rapid speech. The distinction between "bydda i" (I will be) and the present is primarily one of time reference.

Practice Tips

1. Plan your week: Practice saying what you will do each day: "Dydd Llun, bydda i'n gweithio. Dydd Mawrth, bydda i'n siopa."

2. Make predictions: Practice predicting the weather, sports results, or other outcomes.

3. Conditional practice: Build "Os bydd... bydda i'n..." sentences to connect future tense with conditions.

Related Concepts

• Bod - Present Tense
• Conditional Mood
• Basic Conditional Sentences
• Making Plans and Arrangements