Continuing an occasional series compiling a Welsh vocabulary

Verbs, the words for an activity or action, come before their pronoun in Welsh and are therefore usually the first word in a sentence. The present tense is formed by using the verb ‘to be’ – bod – followed by the link word yn followed by the full form of the required verb (known as a ‘verb-noun’), so conjugating bod makes it possible to say anything in the present tense. Note that yn is abbreviated to ‘n when it follows one of the Welsh language’s seven vowels (a, e, i, o, u, w, y).

BOD – TO BE
Singular
I am – Rydw i
You are – Rwyt ti
He is/She is – Mae e/Mae hi
Plural
We are – Rydyn ni
You are – Rydych chi
They are – Maen nhw

For example, using cerdded (to walk) with bod:
Rydw i’n cerdded – I am walking/I walk
Rwyt ti’n cerdded – You are walking/You walk
Mae Dafydd yn cerdded – Dafydd is walking/Dafydd walks
Mae hi’n cerdded – She is walking/She walks
Rydyn ni’n cerdded – We are walking/We walk
Rydych chi’n cerdded – You are walking/You walk
Maen nhw’n cerdded – They are walking/They walk

Other tenses (past, future, perfect, imperfect, pluperfect, conditional) can also be formed by using bod or by adding special tense endings directly to the stem of the particular verb. For instance, common past tense endings are -ais, -aist, -odd, -on, -och and -on; while common future tense endings are -af, -i,-iff, -wn, -wch, and -an. Using cerdded‘s stem cerdd this results in:
Cerddais i – I walked
Cerddaist ti – You walked
Cerddodd e – He walked
and
Cerddwn ni – We will walk
Cerddwch chi – You will walk
Cerddan nhw – They will walk
etc.

The above are examples to illustrate how the verb-nouns and the stems in this list are used. Since this series is about vocabulary not grammar, that is quite enough on the vast topic of verb forms, tenses and conjugations for the time being.

KEY
* irregular verb
stem in brackets where it differs from the full form

To…
↓
Accelerate – Cyflymu (cyflym-)
Act – Actio (acti-)
Add – Ychwanegu (ychwaneg-)
Admire – Edmygu (edmyg-)
Advise – Cynghori (cynghor-)
Agree – Cytuno (cytun-)
Aim – Anelu (anel-)
Announce – Cyhoeddi (cyhoedd-)
Answer – Ateb
Apologise -Ymddiheuro (ymddiheur-)
Appear – Ymddangos
Appoint – Penodi (penod-)
Approach – Agosáu (agosa-)
Argue – Dadlau (dadl-)
Arrive – Cyrraedd (cyrhaedd-)
Ask – Gofyn (gofynn-)
Attack – Ymosod
Attract – Denu (den-)
Avenge – Dial
Avoid – Osgoi (osgo-)
Bake – Pobi (pob-)
Bathe – Ymdrochi (ymdroch-)
Be – Bod*
Be able/Can – Gallu (gall-)
Beat – Curo (cur-)
Be born/Give birth – Geni*
Become accustomed to – Arfer
Become engaged – Dyweddïo (dyweddï-)
Begin/Start – Dechrau (dechreu-)
Behave – Ymddwyn
Believe – Credu (cred-)
Belong – Perthyn
Be obliged/Must – Gorfod
Bewilder – Syfrdanu (syfrdan-)
Bite – Brathu (brath-)
Bleed – Gwaedu (gwaed-)
Blow – Chwythu (chwyth-)
Boast – Ymffrostio (ymffrosti-)
Boil – Berwi (berw-)
Borrow/Lend – Benthyca (benthyci-)
Breathe – Anadlu (anadl-)
Breed – Magu (mag-)
Bring – Dod â*
Bubble – Byrlymu (byrlym-)
Build – Adeiladu (adeilad-)
Burn – Llosgi (llosg-)
Bury – Claddu (cladd-)
Buy – Prynu (pryn-)
Call – Galw
Care – Gofalu (gofal-)
Carry – Cario (cari-)
Celebrate – Dathlu (dathl-)
Change – Newid (newidi-)
Charm – Swyno (swyn-)
Chat – Sgwrsio (sgwrsi-)
Check – Siecio (sieci-)
Cherish – Meithrin
Chew – Cnoi (cno-)
Choose – Dewis
Clean – Glanhau (glanha-)
Collect – Casglu (casgl-)
Come – Dod*
Compare – Cymharu (cymhar-)
Compel – Gorfodi (gorfod-)
Compete – Cystadlu (cystadl-)
Complain – Cwyno (cwyn-)
Complete – Cwblhau (cwblha-)
Confide – Ymddiried
Congratulate – Llongyfarch
Connect – Cysylltu (cysyllt-)
Conquer – Gorchfygu (gorchfyg-)
Consider/Heed – Ystyried (ystyri-)
Contain/Include – Cynnwys (cynhwys-)
Contemplate – Myfyrio (myfyri-)
Continue/Hold – Dal (dali-)
Cook – Coginio (cogini-)
Cope – Ymdopi (ymdop-)
Correct – Cywiro (cywir-)
Cough – Pesychu (pesych-)
Count – Rhifo (rhif-)
Cross – Croesi (croes-)
Cure – Iacháu (iacha-)
Cry – Crio/Llefain (cri-/llef-)
Cut/Break – Torri (torr-)
Dance – Dawnsio (dawnsi-)
Deal with – Ymdrin â (ymdrini-)
Deceive/Cheat – Twyllo (twyll-)
Decide – Penderfynu (penderfyn-)
Defend – Amddiffyn (amddiffynn-)
Delay – Gohirio (gohiri-)
Dent – Tolcio (tolci-)
Deny – Gwadu (gwad-)
Describe – Disgrifio (disgrifi-)
Deserve – Haeddu (haedd-)
Destroy – Difetha (difeth-)
Develop – Datblygu (datblyg-)
Die – Marw*
Dig – Palu (pal-)
Disagree – Anghytuno (anghytun-)
Disappoint – Siomi (siom-)
Discuss – Trafod
Divide/Share – Rhannu (rhann-)
Divorce – Ysgaru (ysgar-)
Do – Gwneud*
Doubt – Amau (amheu-)
Drag – Llusgo (llusg-)
Draw (picture) – Llunio (lluni-)
Dress/Wear – Gwisgo (gwisg-)
Drink – Yfed (yf-)
Drive – Gyrru (gyrr-)
Dry – Sychu (sych-)
Eat – Bwyta (bwyt-)
Edit – Golygu (golyg-)
Educate – Addysgu (addysg-)
Elect – Ethol
Emphasise – Pwysleisio (pwysleisi-)
Employ – Cyflogi (cyflog-)
Empty – Gwagio (gwagi-)
Endure/Last – Parhau (parha-)
Enjoy – Mwynhau (mwynha-)
Entertain – Difyrru (difyrr-)
Envy – Eiddigeddu (eiddigedd-)
Escape – Dianc (dihang-)
Escort – Danfon
Excuse – Esgusodi (esgusod-)
Expect – Disgwyl (disgwyli-)
Explain – Egluro/Esbonio (eglur-/esboni-)
Explode – Ffrwydro (ffrwydr-)
Express – Mynegi (myneg-)
Extinguish – Diffodd
Fail – Methu (meth-)
Fall – Cwympo/Syrthio (cwymp-/syrthi-)
Feed – Bwydo (bwyd-)
Feel – Teimlo (teiml-)
Fill – Llenwi (llenw-)
Find – Ffeindio (ffeindi-)
Finish – Gorffen (gorffenn-)
Flow – Llifo (llif-)
Fold – Plygu (plyg-)
Follow – Dilyn
Forget – Anghofio (anghofi-)
Forgive – Maddau (maddeu-)
Free – Rhyddhau (rhyddha-)
Freeze – Rhewi (rhew-)
Frighten – Dychryn
Fry – Ffrio (ffri-)
Gallop – Carlamu (carlam-)
Gather – Hel
Gaze – Syllu (syll-)
Go – Mynd*
Give – Rhoi (rho-)
Govern – Llywodraethu (llywodraeth-)
Grasp – Gafael/Cydio (/cydi-)
Graze – Pori (por-)
Grease – Iro (ir-)
Greet – Cyfarch
Grow – Tyfu (tyf-)
Guard – Gwarchod
Guess – Dyfalu (dyfal-)
Hail – Bwrw Cesair (bwri-)
Hate – Casáu (casa-)
Have/Get – Cael*
Hear – Clywed (clyw-)
Help – Helpu (help-)
Hide – Cuddio (cuddi-)
Hire – Llogi (llog-)
Hit – Bwrw (bwri-)
Hope – Gobeithio (gobeithi-)
Hunt – Hela (heli-)
Hurry – Brysio (brysi-)
Hurt – Brifo (brif-)
Imagine – Dychmygu (dychmyg-)
Imitate – Efelychu (efelych-)
Improve – Gwella (gwell-)
Incite – Ennyn (enyn-)
Injure – Anafu (anaf-)
Insist – Mynnu (mynn-)
Insult – Sarhau (sarha-)
Intend – Bwriadu (bwriad-)
Interest – Diddanu/Diddori (diddan-/diddor-)
Interfere – Ymyrryd (ymyrr-)
Introduce – Cyflwyno (cyflwyn-)
Invite – Gwahodd
Itch – Crafu (craf-)
Join – Ymuno (ymun-)
Judge – Beirniadu (beirniad-)
Jump – Neidio (neidi-)
Keep – Cadw
Kick – Cicio (cici-)
Kill – Lladd
Kiss – Cusanu (cusan-)
Knit – Gwau (gweu-)
Know (a person) – Adnabod*
Know (a fact) – Gwybod*
Land – Glanio (glani-)
Laugh – Chwerthin (chwardd-)
Lay – Gosod
Lead – Arwain (arweini-)
Learn/Teach – Dysgu (dysg-)
Leave – Gadael (gadaw-)
Like – Hoffi (hoff-)
List – Rhestru (rhestr-)
Listen – Gwrando (gwrandaw-)
Live – Byw*
Lock – Cloi (clo-)
Look – Edrych
Loosen – Rhyddhau (rhyddha-)
Lose/Spill – Colli (coll-)
Love – Caru (car-)
Make – Gwneud*
Marry – Priodi (priod-)
Mature – Aeddfedu (aeddfed-)
Measure – Mesur
Meet – Cyfarfod (cyfarf-)
Melt – Toddi (todd-)
Mend – Trwsio (trwsi-)
Mention – Sôn (soni-)
Mix – Cymysgu (cymysg-)
Move – Symud
Murder – Llofruddio (llofruddi-)
Mutate – Treiglo (treigl-)
Name – Enwi (enw-)
Nest – Nythu (nyth-)
Note – Nodi (nod-)
Notice – Sylwi (sylw-)
Nurse – Nyrsio (nyrsi-)
Occur – Digwydd
Offend – Digio (digi-)
Offer – Cynnig (cynig-)
Open – Agor
Oppose – Gwrthwynebu (gwrthwyneb-)
Oppress – Gormesu (gormes-)
Order – Archebu (archeb-)
Organise – Trefnu (trefn-)
Own – Perchen
Pack – Pacio (paci-)
Paint – Arlunio/Peintio (arluni-/peinti-)
Pass – Pasio (pasi-)
Pay – Talu (tal-)
Penalise – Cosbi (cosb-)
Permit – Caniatáu (caniata-)
Persecute – Erlid
Phone – Ffonio (ffoni-)
Piss – Gwneud*-pîs
Place – Gosod
Plan – Cynllunio (cynlluni-)
Plant – Plannu (plann-)
Play – Chwarae
Plead – Erfyn (erfyni-)
Polish – Gloywi (gloyw-)
Postpone – Gohirio (gohiri-)
Pour – Arllwys
Practise – Ymarfer
Praise – Canmol
Pray – Gweddïo (gweddï-)
Preach – Pregethu (pregeth-)
Prepare – Paratoi (parato-)
Pretend – Ffugio (ffugi-)
Prevent – Rhwystro (rhwystr-)
Print – Argraffu (argraff-)
Produce – Cynhyrchu (cynhyrch-)
Profit – Elwa (elw-)
Prohibit – Gwahardd
Promise – Addo (addaw-)
Propose – Cynnig (cynig-)
Prosper – Ffynnu (ffynn-)
Pull – Tynnu (tynn-)
Push – Gwthio (gwthi-)
Put – Dodi (dod-)
Quake/Tremble – Crynu (cryn-)
Quarrel – Ymrafael (Ymrafaw-)
Question – Holi (hol-)
Quicken – Cyflymu (cyflym-)
Race – Rasio (rasi-)
Rain – Bwrw Glaw (bwri-)
Reach/Stretch – Estyn (estynn-)
Read – Darllen
Receive – Derbyn (derbyni-)
Recite – Adrodd
Record – Recordio (recordi-)
Refuse – Gwrthod
Relax – Ymlacio (ymlaci-)
Remember – Cofio (cofi-)
Remind – Atgoffa (atgoff-)
Repeat – Ailadrodd
Repent – Edifarhau (edifarha-)
Report – Gohebu (goheb-)
Represent – Cynrychioli (cynrychiol-)
Rescue – Achub
Research – Ymchwilio (ymchwili-)
Resign – Ymddiswyddo (ymddiswydd-)
Respect – Parchu (parch-)
Respond – Ymateb
Rest – Gorffwys
Restrain – Ymatal (ymatali-)
Retire – Ymddeol
Return – Dychwelyd (dychwel-)
Review/Revise – Adolygu (adolyg-)
Revolve/Rotate – Cylchdroi (cylchdro-)
Reward – Gwobrwyo (gwobrwy-)
Rid – Gwared
Ride – Marchogaeth (marchog-)
Rise/Get up – Codi (cod-)
Rule – Rheoli (rheol-)
Rub – Rhwbio (rhwbi-)
Run – Rhedeg (rhed-)
Rush – Rhuthro (rhuthr-)
Rust – Rhydu (rhyd-)
Sail – Hwylio (hwyli-)
Satisfy – Bodloni (bodlon-)
Save – Cynilo/Safio (cynil-/safi-)
Say/Tell – Dweud (dywed-)
Scatter – Chwalu (chwal-)
Score – Sgorio (sgori-)
Scream – Sgrechian (sgrechi-)
Search – Chwilio (chwili-)
Second – Eilio (eili-)
See – Gweld (gwel-)
Sell – Gwerthu (gwerth-)
Send – Anfon
Sense – Synhwyro (synhwyr-)
Serve – Gwasanaethu (gwasanaeth-)
Settle – Sefydlu (sefydl-)
Sew – Gwnïo (gwnï-)
Shake – Ysgwyd
Share – Rhannu (rhann-)
Sharpen – Minio (miniog-)
Shave – Eillio (eilli-)
Shelter – Cysgodi (cysgod-)
Shepherd – Bugeilio (bugeili-)
Shit – Cachu (cach-)
Shoot – Saethu (saeth-)
Shop – Siopa (siopi-)
Should/Ought – Dylwn*
Shout – Gweiddi (gwaedd-)
Show – Dangos
Shut/Close – Cau (cae-)
Sign – Arwyddo (arwydd-)
Sing – Canu (can-)
Sink – Suddo (sudd-)
Sit – Eistedd
Sleep – Cysgu (cysg-)
Slide/Slip – Llithro (llithr-)
Slow – Arafu (araf-)
Smell – Arogli (arogl-)
Smile – Gwenu (gwen-)
Smoke – Ysmygu (ysmyg-)
Snatch – Cipio (cipi-)
Snore/Snarl – Chwyrnu (chwyrn-)
Snow – Bwrw Eira (bwri-)
Socialise – Cymdeithasu (cymdeithas-)
Soothe – Esmwytho (esmwyth-)
Sow – Hau (heu-)
Speak – Siarad
Specialise – Arbenigo (arbenig-)
Spell – Sillafu (sillaf-)
Spend (money) – Gwario (gwari-)
Spend (time) – Treulio (treuli-)
Spread – Lledaenu (lledaen-)
Squeeze/Press – Gwasgu (gwasg-)
Stand – Sefyll (saf-)
Start/Set Off – Cychwyn (cychwynn-)
Starve – Llwgu (llwg-)
Steal – Dwyn (dyg-)
Step – Camu (cam-)
Stick – Glynu (glyn-)
Sting – Pigo (pig-)
Stop – Peidio (peidi-)
Straighten – Sythu (syth-)
Strengthen – Cryfhau (cryfha-)
Strike – Taro (traw-)
Study – Astudio (astudi-)
Succeed – Llwyddo (llwydd-)
Suck – Sugno (sugn-)
Suffer – Dioddef
Suggest – Awgrymu (awgrym-)
Sulk – Pwdu (pwd-)
Summarise – Crynhoi (crynh-)
Support – Cefnogi/Cynnal (cefnog-/cynhali-)
Suppose – Tybio (tybi-)
Surprise – Synnu (synn-)
Surrender – Ildio (ildi-)
Swap – Cyfnewid
Swear – Rhegi (rheg-)
Sweat – Chwysu (chwys-)
Swim – Nofio (nofi-)
Sympathise – Cydymdeimlo (cydymdeiml-)
Take – Cymryd (cymer-)
Taste – Blasu (blas-)
Tear – Rhwygo (rhwyg-)
Tease – Pryfocio (pryfoci-)
Tempt – Temtio (temti-)
Tend to – Tueddu (tuedd-)
Test – Profi (prof-)
Thank – Diolch
Thaw – Dadleth
Think – Meddwl (meddyli-)
Threaten – Bygwth (bygythi-)
Throw – Taflu (tafl-)
Tidy – Tacluso (taclus-)
Tie – Clymu (clym-)
Tighten – Tynhau (tynha-)
Tire – Blino (blin-)
Touch – Cyffwrdd (cyffyrdd-)
Trade – Masnachu (masnach-)
Train – Hyfforddi (hyffordd-)
Trample – Sathru (sathr-)
Translate – Cyfieithu (cyfieith-)
Travel – Teithio (teithi-)
Treat – Trin (trini-)
Trust – Ymddiried
Try – Ceisio (ceisi-)
Turn – Troi (tro-)
Type – Teipio (teipi-)
Understand – Deall
Undress – Diosg
Unite – Uno (un-)
Use – Defnyddio (defnyddi-)
Vacillate – Petruso (petrus-)
Venture – Mentro (mentr-)
Visit – Ymweld â (ymwel-)
Volunteer – Gwirfoddoli (gwirfoddol-)
Vote – Pleidleisio (pleidleisi-)
Wait – Aros (arhos-)
Wake – Deffro/Dihuno (/dihun-)
Walk – Cerdded (cerdd-)
Wander – Crwydro (crwydr-)
Want – Eisiau*
Warm – Twymo (twym-)
Warn – Rhybuddio (rhybuddi-)
Wash – Golchi/Ymolchi (golch-/ymolch-)
Waste – Gwastraffu (gwastraff-)
Watch – Gwylio (gwyli-)
Water – Dyfrhau (dyfrheu-)
Weed – Chwynnu (chwynn-)
Weep – Wylo (wyl-)
Weigh – Pwyso (pwys-)
Welcome – Croesawu (croesaw-)
Whisper – Sibrwd (sibrydi-)
Whistle – Chwibanu (chwiban-)
Win – Ennill (enill-)
Wish – Dymuno (dymun-)
Wonder – Synnu (synn-)
Work – Gweithio (gweithi-)
Worry – Poeni (poen-)
Wreck – Dryllio (drylli-)
Write – Ysgrifennu (ysgrifenn-)
Yearn – Hiraethu (hiraeth-)