-adwy / -edig

Adjectives in -adwy and -edig (Formal)

Level 6

On packaging you may see ailgylchadwy — recyclable. The ending -adwy means "can be done", and -edig means "has been done": ysgrifenedig (written).

How It Works

-adwy: can be done. Like English -able or -ible:

  • bwyta → bwytadwy — edible
  • darllen → darllenadwy — readable
  • credu → credadwy — believable
  • dibynnu → dibynadwy — reliable, dependable
  • ailgylchu → ailgylchadwy — recyclable

A few have their own meaning: ofnadwy (from ofni, fear) means terrible or awful.

-edig: has been done. Like some English words in -ed:

  • cyhoeddi → cyhoeddedig — published
  • ysgrifennu → ysgrifenedig — written
  • cofrestru → cofrestredig — registered

Some -edig words also have their own meaning: caredig (kind, from caru, love), nodedig (notable).

Spelling. A double nn in the verb-noun is often single before the ending: ysgrifennu → ysgrifenedig, dibynnu → dibynadwy.

Mutation. These are ordinary adjectives. They soften after a feminine singular noun and after predicative yn: elusen gofrestredig (a registered charity), Ydy'r madarch yma'n fwytadwy? (Are these mushrooms edible?). See Adjectives After Feminine Nouns.

In everyday Welsh. Welsh has no regular past participle, so -edig words are much rarer than English -ed words. Speech usually says wedi'i + verb-noun instead: wedi'i ysgrifennu (written).

Examples (6)

  1. Ydy'r madarch yma'n fwytadwy?

    Are these mushrooms edible?

    Bwytadwy softens to fwytadwy after yn.

  2. Mae'r pecyn hwn yn ailgylchadwy.

    This packet is recyclable.

  3. Mae hi'n ffrind dibynadwy iawn.

    She's a very reliable friend.

  4. Mae angen caniatâd ysgrifenedig gan riant.

    Written permission from a parent is needed.

  5. Mae'r gwaith cyhoeddedig ar gael yn y llyfrgell.

    The published work is available in the library.

  6. Mae'r grŵp yn elusen gofrestredig.

    The group is a registered charity.

    Elusen is feminine, so cofrestredig softens to gofrestredig.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting the soft mutation after a feminine noun.

    Mae'r grŵp yn elusen cofrestredig.
    Mae'r grŵp yn elusen gofrestredig.

    These words are ordinary adjectives, so they soften after a feminine singular noun such as elusen.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

-adwy / -edigLevel 6Adjectives in -adwy and -edig (Formal)

Learn This First

-adwy and -edig adjectives are formed from verbs.

Words in This Pattern

-adwy-edig