Finding the Verb Stem

Level 2

To make short verb forms (the simple past, commands, the short future) you need the stem: gweld → gwel-, prynu → pryn-, dysgu → dysg-.

How It Works

Simple rules

  • Ends in one vowel: drop it. prynu → pryn-, dysgu → dysg-, codi → cod-, canu → can-
  • Ends in -io: drop the o. ffonio → ffoni-, gweithio → gweithi-
  • Ends in a consonant: keep it all. darllen → darllen-, ateb → ateb-
  • Ends in -ed or -eg: drop it. clywed → clyw-, yfed → yf-, rhedeg → rhed-
  • gweld → gwel-

Stems to learn

  • aros → arhos- (stay, wait)
  • gadael → gadaw- (leave)
  • cymryd → cymer- (take)
  • dweud → dwed- (say; dywed- in formal writing)
  • meddwl → meddyli- (think)
  • gwrando → gwrandaw- (listen)
  • cyrraedd → cyrhaedd- (arrive)
  • dechrau → dechreu- (start)
  • gorffen → gorffenn- (finish)
  • ennill → enill- (win)

The Learn Welsh North course also gives a short stem, cym-, for commands of cymryd: cymwch (take).

What stems are for

Irregular verbs. Mynd, dod, cael and gwneud have their own past forms; see Irregular Past.

Examples (6)

  1. Gwelais i ffilm dda neithiwr.

    I saw a good film last night.

    gweld → gwel- + -ais.

  2. Arhosodd hi gartref.

    She stayed at home.

    aros → arhos- + -odd.

  3. Gadawon ni am saith o'r gloch.

    We left at seven o'clock.

    gadael → gadaw- + -on.

  4. Dysgodd e Gymraeg yn yr ysgol.

    He learnt Welsh at school.

    dysgu → dysg- + -odd. South: e. In the North: Dysgodd o Gymraeg yn yr ysgol.

  5. Cymerwch sedd, os gwelwch yn dda.

    Take a seat, please.

    cymryd → cymer- + -wch.

  6. Dwedais i hynny ddoe.

    I said that yesterday.

    dweud → dwed- + -ais.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the ending of the verb-noun.

    Prynuais i gar.
    Prynais i gar.

    Drop the -u of prynu to find the stem pryn-, then add the ending.

  • Using the verb-noun instead of a special stem.

    Arosais i gartref.
    Arhosais i gartref.

    Aros has the stem arhos-. It has to be learned.

How It Connects

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

Finding the Verb StemLevel 2

Learn This First

Stems are built from the verb-noun.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.