Croeso yn ôl i Groeseiriau Cymraeg.

In this weeks' lesson we will be looking at gallwn and medrwn . Both mean 'could'. Gallwn is used in the south and medrwn in the north.
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Gallwn

This is the conditional form of gallu (can, to be able) and means 'could'. It uses similar endings to other auxiliary or modal verbs e.g. dylwn -should , byddwn - would and hoffwn - would like. Gallwn is not followed by “yn + verb noun” but only the verb noun. It also causes a mutation in the verb that follows (see examples below).

Gallwn i fynd i siopa cyn cinio . - I could go shopping before lunch.

Gallen nhw gyrraedd yfory . - They could arrive tomorrow.

To say 'I could have', 'you could have' etc put fod wedi after gallwn . The following verb does not mutate. See full forms here: Gallwn

gallwn i                           i could                  
gallet ti                            you (familiar) could                  
gallai e/o                         he could                    
gallai hi                           she could                
gallen ni                          we could               
gallech chi                      you (formal & plural) could               
gallen nhw                      they could   

For more go here: Gallwn

Medrwn

This is the conditional form of medru (can, to be able, to know) and means 'could'. It uses similar endings to other auxiliary or modal verbs e.g. dylwn -should , byddwn - would and hoffwn - would like. Medrwn is not followed by “yn + verb noun” but only the verb noun. It also causes a mutation in the verb that follows (see examples below).

Medrwn i fynd i siopa cyn cinio . - I could go shopping before lunch.

Medren nhw gyrraedd yfory . - They could arrive tomorrow.

To say 'I could have', 'you could have' etc put fod wedi after medrwn , medrwch etc. The following verb does not mutate. See full forms here: Medrwn

Medrwn i                           i could                  
Medret ti                           you (familiar) could                  
Medrai e/o                        he could                    
Medrai hi                           she could                
Medren ni                          we could               
Medrech chi                     you (formal & plural) could               
Medren nhw                      they could 

For more go here: Medrwn

Don't forget to follow the links above ( Gallwn , Medrwn ) for more on the negative and interrogative forms of these essential verbs.

As usual we have provided practice sentences and the weekly crossword to test your knowledge.

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Here are some practice examples. If there are is any vocabulary you need to look up go here: Geiriadur You will find the answers at the bottom of the page.

Gallen nhw wylio'r teledu nes i ni gyrraedd. = They could watch TV until we arrived.

We could visit the beach next week. = Gallen ni ymweld â'r traeth yr wythnos nesaf.

They could bring the beer. = Medren nhw ddod a'r cwrw. 

She could be telling the truth. = Medrai hi fod yn dweud y gwir. 

He could return the book. = Medrai fe ddychwelyd y llyfr. 
...

...
Translate the following short conversation. If there are is any vocabulary you need to look up go here: Geiriadur You will find the answers at the bottom of the page.

Gallech chi fod wedi dod â'r map.

Gallwn i fod wedi ond wnes i anghofio.

Gallech chi geisio cofio y tro nesaf.

Gallwn.
... ...

This weeks' Croesair  Cymraeg is designed to help you practice using gallwn and medrwn . Examine the sample sentences below and fill in the appropriate answers. There is a link below to the solution and you can print the crossword and clues (.pdf) here:- Gallwn / Medrwn

You will find the answers here:- Gallwn / Medrwn

That's it for week nine. We hope that you have enjoyed the ninth instalment of the course and that your knowledge of the Welsh language has improved. 
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* Don't worry if some of the sample sentences are at a more advanced level. Concentrate on the simpler ones unless of course you are feeling adventurous and want to read ahead.

Gallen nhw wylio'r teledu nes i ni gyrraedd. = They could watch TV until we arrived.

We could visit the beach next week. = Gallen ni ymweld â'r traeth yr wythnos nesaf.

They could bring the beer. = Medren nhw ddod a'r cwrw. 

She could be telling the truth. = Medrai hi fod yn dweud y gwir. 

He could return the book. = Medrai fe ddychwelyd y llyfr. 

Gallech chi fod wedi dod â'r map. = You could have brought the map.

Gallwn i fod wedi ond wnes i anghofio. = I could have but I forgot.

Gallech chi geisio cofio y tro nesaf. = You could try to remember next time.

Gallwn. = I could.

AmeriCymru is committed to doing everything it can to assist its members and readers to acquire a working knowledge of the Welsh language. Whether your goal is fluency or merely the ability to order a pizza and beer when on vacation in Caernarfon you will find helpful resources on this site....  

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