gallu / medru
Can: Gallu and Medru (North)
Gallu and medru both mean "to be able". Use them like any other verb-noun: Dw i'n gallu nofio (I can swim).
How It Works
Pattern: bod + yn + gallu / medru + verb-noun.
- Dw i'n gallu nofio — I can swim
- Wyt ti'n gallu dod? — Can you come?
- Dw i ddim yn gallu gweld — I can't see
- Dach chi'n medru gyrru? — Can you drive? (North)
No mutation. Gallu and medru are verb-nouns, so the verb-noun after them keeps its first letter: gallu mynd, medru gweld. See bod + yn + verb-noun.
Any tense. Because you use bod, you can change the tense easily: Roedd hi'n gallu darllen (She could read), Byddwch chi'n gallu siarad Cymraeg (You will be able to speak Welsh). See roeddwn i and bydda i byddi di bydd.
Asking what someone can do: Beth wyt ti'n gallu (ei) wneud? (What can you do?). Here gwneud softens to wneud.
Region. Medru is heard mostly in the North; the South uses gallu. Both are correct everywhere. Later you will meet short forms such as Galla i and Fedra i ddim (see galla i and medra i) and "could" (see gallwn i).
Examples (6)
- Dw i'n gallu nofio.
I can swim.
- Dw i'n medru siarad Cymraeg.
I can speak Welsh.
North: medru.
- Wyt ti'n gallu dod heno?
Can you come tonight?
- Dw i ddim yn gallu gweld.
I can't see.
Negative with ddim.
- Roedd hi'n gallu darllen cyn mynd i'r ysgol.
She could read before going to school.
Past ability with roedd.
- Byddwch chi'n gallu siarad Cymraeg cyn bo hir.
You'll be able to speak Welsh before long.
Future with byddwch.
Common Mistakes
Softening the verb-noun after gallu.
Dw i'n gallu fynd.Dw i'n gallu mynd.There is no mutation after the verb-noun gallu or medru. (The short form Galla i does soften: Galla i fynd. See galla i and medra i.)
Leaving out yn.
Dw i gallu nofio.Dw i'n gallu nofio.Gallu is a verb-noun, so it needs yn ('n) after bod, just like hoffi. Only eisiau and angen go without yn.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Gallu and medru are verb-nouns used with bod + yn.
Related Patterns
- galla i / medra iShort Forms of Gallu and Medru
Short present forms: galla i, fedra i ddim.
Level 3 - gallwn iCould: Gallwn I
Could: the conditional of gallu.
Level 3 - The Verb-Noun (Berfenw)
Gallu and medru are verb-nouns.
Level 1 - North and South Welsh
Medru is mainly Northern.
Level 1 - eisiau / isioWanting: Dw I Eisiau (Isio in the North)
Unlike gallu, eisiau takes no yn.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice gallu / medru in Bubblegum
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