Modal Verbs in Welsh

Overview

Modal verbs express ability, obligation, desire, and permission — concepts that are essential for everyday communication at the A1 level. In Welsh, modal meanings are typically expressed through periphrastic constructions using "bod" (to be) as the main verb, combined with specific words like "gallu" (can), "rhaid" (must), and "eisiau/moyn" (want).

Unlike English, where modals are a distinct verb category with special grammar, Welsh modal expressions fit neatly into the standard "bod + yn + verb-noun" pattern or use specific prepositional constructions. This means that once you know how "bod" works, learning modals is largely about learning new vocabulary.

The most frequently used modal constructions are "gallu" for ability, "rhaid" for necessity, and "eisiau" (North) or "moyn" (South) for wanting.

How It Works

Ability: Gallu (can/be able to)

Welsh	English
Dw i'n gallu nofio.	I can swim.
Wyt ti'n gallu dod?	Can you come?
Dyw e ddim yn gallu coginio.	He can't cook.

Obligation: Rhaid (must/have to)

Welsh	English
Mae rhaid i fi fynd.	I must go.
Mae rhaid i ti weithio.	You must work.
Does dim rhaid i chi dalu.	You don't have to pay.

Want: Eisiau / Moyn

Welsh	English
Dw i eisiau coffi.	I want coffee. (North)
Dw i'n moyn coffi.	I want coffee. (South)
Wyt ti eisiau dod?	Do you want to come?

Note: "Eisiau" does NOT take "yn/'n" before it, unlike most verb-nouns. "Moyn" does take "yn/'n."

Should: Dylwn

Welsh	English
Dylwn i fynd.	I should go.
Dylet ti ddarllen hwn.	You should read this.

Examples in Context

Welsh	English	Note
Dw i'n gallu nofio.	I can swim.	Ability
Mae rhaid i fi fynd.	I must go.	Obligation
Dw i eisiau coffi.	I want coffee.	Want (North)
Dych chi'n gallu helpu?	Can you help?	Polite request
Does dim rhaid i chi boeni.	You don't have to worry.	Negative obligation
Dw i ddim yn gallu dod.	I can't come.	Negative ability
Mae rhaid i ni fynd nawr.	We must go now.	Urgent
Dw i'n moyn mynd adre.	I want to go home.	Want (South)
Wyt ti eisiau bwyd?	Do you want food?	Offering
Dylwn i ymddiheuro.	I should apologize.	Suggestion

Common Mistakes

Adding "yn" before "eisiau"

• Wrong: Dw i'n eisiau coffi.
• Right: Dw i eisiau coffi.
• Why: "Eisiau" is an exception — it connects directly to "bod" without the linking particle "yn."

Forgetting "i" after "rhaid"

• Wrong: Mae rhaid fi fynd.
• Right: Mae rhaid i fi fynd.
• Why: "Rhaid" requires the preposition "i" before the person who must do something.

Forgetting soft mutation after "i" in rhaid constructions

• Wrong: Mae rhaid i fi mynd.
• Right: Mae rhaid i fi fynd.
• Why: The preposition "i" triggers soft mutation of the verb-noun: mynd → fynd.

Practice Tips

1. Express daily needs: Practice saying what you want, can do, and must do each day: "Dw i eisiau brecwast. Mae rhaid i fi weithio. Dw i'n gallu coginio."

2. Learn both regional forms: Know that "eisiau" and "moyn" mean the same thing. Recognise both, even if you only actively use one.

3. Combine modals with verb-nouns: Take your list of verb-nouns and use each one in a gallu, rhaid, and eisiau sentence. This builds flexible expression quickly.

Related Concepts

• Bod - Present Tense
• Can and Cannot