Croeso yn ôl i Groeseiriau Cymraeg.

In this lesson we discuss the modal verb dylwn = should. A modal verb is an auxiliary or helper verb that expresses possibility or necessity. In the English language modal verbs include must , shall , will , should , would , can , could , may  and  might . Welsh 'verbs' gallwn - could , byddwn - would and hoffwn - would like , all employ similar endings to dylwn .

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

Dylwn i 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).

Dylwn i orffen fy ngwaith yn gyntaf . - I should finish my work first.

Dylech chi brynu 'r llyfr yfory . - You should buy the book tomorrow.

To say 'I should have', 'you should have' etc put fod wedi after dylwn . The following verb does not mutate. See full forms below.

dylwn i                                               i should/ i ought to
dylet ti (familiar)                                 you should/ you ought to
dylai fe                                               he should/ he ought to
dylai hi                                               she should/ she ought to
dylen ni                                              we should/ we ought to
dylech chi (plural,formal)                   you should/ you ought to
dylen nhw                                          they should/ they ought to 

ddylwn i ddim                                        i shouldn’t
ddylet ti ddim (familiar)                         you shouldn’t
ddylai fe ddim                                       he shouldn't
ddylai hi ddim                                       she shouldn’t
ddylen ni ddim                                      we shouldn’t
ddylech chi ddim (plural,formal)           you shouldn’t
ddylen nhw ddim                                  they shouldn’t

ddylwn i?                                             should I?
ddylet ti? (familiar)                               should you?
ddylai fe?                                             should he?
ddylai hi?                                             should she?
ddylen ni?                                            should we?
ddylech chi? (plural,formal)                 should you?
ddylen nhw?                                        should they?

Dylet/na ddylet, Dylech/Na ddylech
Dylwn/na ddylwn
Dylai/Na ddylai
Dylai/Na ddylai
Dylech/Na ddylech, Dylen/Na ddylen
Dylwn/na ddylwn, Dylen/Na ddylen
Dylen/Na ddylen

dylwn i fod wedi                    i should have                        
dylet ti fod wedi                     you (familiar) should have              
dylai hi fod wedi                    she should have             
dylai e/o/fe fod wedi              he should have
dylen ni fod wedi                   we should have           
dylech chi fod wedi               you (formal & plural) should have        
dylen nhw fod wedi               they should have        

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.

Dylwn i fod yn fwy gofalus. = I should be more careful.

Ddylwn i ddim poeni. = I shouldn't worry.

Dylwn i fod wedi edrych ar ragolygon y tywydd. = I should have checked the weather forecast.

Dylech chi wneud eithriad. = You should make an exception.

We shouldn't have come here today. =  Ddylen ni ddim bod wedi dod yma heddiw.  

They should have watched the news.  =   Dylen nhw fod wedi gwylio'r newyddion.  
...

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.

Dylwn i fod wedi prynu llaeth y bore 'ma.

Dwi'n casáu te heb laeth.

Dwi'n cytuno. 

Dylen ni fynd i siopa  ​nawr! 
......

And so to our weekly crossword. The theme is -  'Dylwn - Should'

• Click through the slides below and learn the words as you go.
  

• Optional: If you want help with pronunciation or wish to check out other vocabulary entries on the wordcard, click the pic or text below to be taken to the appropriate Geiriadur listing page. 

• Attempt the crossword puzzle here  Cymraeg - Vocabulary Crossword 23  (interactive) or if you prefer to do it the old fashioned way you can download a hard copy of  the grid here Crossword 23 Print Version  (.pdf)

That's it for week ten. We hope that you have enjoyed the tenth 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.

..

Dylwn i fod yn fwy gofalus. = I should be more careful.

Ddylwn i ddim poeni. = I shouldn't worry.

Dylwn i fod wedi edrych ar ragolygon y tywydd. = I should have checked the weather forecast.

Dylech chi wneud eithriad. = You should make an exception.

We shouldn't have come here today. =  Ddylen ni ddim bod wedi dod yma heddiw.  

They should have watched the news.  =   Dylen nhw fod wedi gwylio'r newyddion.

Dylwn i fod wedi prynu llaeth y bore 'ma. = I should have bought milk this morning.

Dwi'n casáu te heb laeth. = I hate tea without milk.

Dwi'n cytuno. = I agree.

Dylen ni fynd i siopa  ​nawr! = We should go shopping now!

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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