How to Say Yes and No in Welsh (and Sound Natural)
Welsh has no all-purpose word for yes or no. You answer by echoing the verb of the question in the positive or negative, and the exact form depends on the verb and tense. Here is how the system works.
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What's in this guide
Welsh has no single yes or no
Like Irish, its Celtic cousin, Welsh does not have one word that always means yes or one that always means no. Instead, you answer by taking the verb from the question and giving it back positively for yes or negatively for no.
This means the word you use for yes changes depending on how the question was asked. It feels like a lot to juggle at first, but there is a logic to it, and a handful of common forms cover most daily conversation. There are also a couple of general-purpose words for certain kinds of questions, which we will cover so you have practical options from the start.
Ie and nage for identity questions
For questions that identify or emphasize something, often starting with the thing being asked about, Welsh has a fairly general pair.
- ie (ee-eh) yes
- nage (NAH-geh) no
These answer questions of the type is it this particular thing, where the focus is on a noun or phrase rather than a plain verb. For example, a question emphasizing whether it is today that something happens could be answered ie or nage. They are handy because they feel closest to a standalone yes and no, but they do not fit every question, which is why you also need the verb-based answers below.
Verb-based yes and no
For most ordinary questions, you answer with the correct form of the verb. Here are common ones you will meet early.
- ydw (UH-doo) yes, I am, answering are you
- nac ydw (nak UH-doo) no, I am not
- oes (oys) yes, there is or there are
- nac oes (nak oys) no, there is not
So Wyt ti...? (are you...?) is answered ydw for yes about yourself. A question asking is there any, using Oes...?, is answered oes or nac oes. The pattern is to match the verb and person of the question, which is why the yes form varies.
Do and naddo for the past
The past tense has its own simple, reliable pair, and it is a favorite of learners because it is easy.
- do (doh) yes, for past-tense questions
- naddo (NA-tho) no, for past-tense questions
Whenever a question is about something that happened, such as did you go or did it rain, you answer do for yes and naddo for no, regardless of the specific verb. This makes the past tense one of the friendliest corners of the Welsh yes and no system. The th in naddo is soft, like the th in the English word this.
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Pronunciation notes that matter
Welsh spelling is very consistent once you learn its letters, so these words are predictable.
- ie is ee-eh, two quick vowels, the first like ee and the second like eh.
- oes is oys, close to the English word choice without the ch.
- naddo is NA-tho, where dd spells the soft th sound in this.
The key spelling rule to remember is that the letters dd make the voiced th sound, and f makes a v sound. Welsh always stresses the second-to-last syllable of longer words, though these short answers are simple. Say them clearly and you will be understood.
Common mistakes to avoid
A few habits mark a beginner, and each is quick to fix.
- Looking for one fixed word for yes or no. Welsh does not have one.
- Using ie for everything, when many questions need a verb-based answer like ydw or oes.
- Forgetting the easy past-tense pair do and naddo, which answers any past question.
The way to make this feel natural is to hear questions and answer them out loud, matching the verb or using the right general pair. Practicing short exchanges, even with an AI speaking partner, trains you to recognize the question type and pick the right yes or no form without freezing up, which is exactly the skill Welsh rewards.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say yes and no in Welsh?
There is no single word. You answer with the verb of the question, positive for yes and negative for no. Common forms include ydw and nac ydw, oes and nac oes, and do and naddo for the past.
What are ie and nage used for?
Ie (ee-eh) and nage (NAH-geh) answer identity or emphasis questions, where the focus is on a noun or phrase rather than a plain verb. They are the closest Welsh gets to a standalone yes and no.
How do you answer a past-tense question in Welsh?
Use do (doh) for yes and naddo (NA-tho) for no. This pair answers any past-tense question, such as did you go, regardless of the specific verb.
Why does the word for yes change in Welsh?
Because you answer by repeating the question verb in the right form and person. Are you is answered with ydw, while is there is answered with oes, so the yes form varies with the question.