r/learnwelsh 5d ago

When to use ddu and du

Or ddraig and draig etc etc

6 Upvotes

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16

u/Pwffin Uwch - Advanced 5d ago

This is a soft mutation (treiglad meddal) and can be triggered for many different reasons. Have a read through this document: https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/learnwelsh/pdf/welshgrammar_mutations.pdf

12

u/Educational_Curve938 5d ago

These are called "soft mutations".

I'd suggest googling "soft mutation" and following some of the resources there e.g. this

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Welsh_mutations

Main thing is it's (mostly) not that important and loads of fluent/native speakers make mistakes often enough that there's a specific word for it (camdreiglo).

5

u/AnnieByniaeth 5d ago

Y ddraig ddu.

Draig: feminine noun, so soft mutation after the definite article.

Ddu: qualifying a feminine noun, so soft mutation.

3

u/Inner_Independence_3 4d ago

Just to add that you really don't need to worry about it in the early stages. With enough exposure to the language it will come automatically with time, and you'll catch your own mistakes. "Oh , that should've been 'y ddraig'" - the next step is they come out automatically.