fodd bynnag / serch hynny / sef

Formal Connectors

Level 5

Roedd y tywydd yn wael. Fodd bynnag, aethon ni allan. — The weather was bad. However, we went out. Linking words like fodd bynnag help writing flow.

How It Works

The connectors.

  • fodd bynnag — however (contrast): Roedd y tywydd yn wael. Fodd bynnag, aethon ni allan. It can also come after the first part: Roedd hi, fodd bynnag, yn anhapus.
  • serch hynny — nevertheless, even so: Mae'r gwaith yn anodd; serch hynny, mae'n werth chweil. Er hynny means the same.
  • felly — so, therefore: Roedd hi'n hwyr, felly aethon ni adref. After and, use ac felly.
  • sef — namely, that is: tair iaith, sef Cymraeg, Saesneg a Ffrangeg
  • hynny yw (written h.y.) — that is to say: Mae'r cwrs am ddim, hynny yw, does dim rhaid talu.

Fodd bynnag or beth bynnag? Both are built with bynnag. Fodd bynnag is a formal "however" that sets two ideas against each other. In speech, ond (but) is the everyday contrast word, and beth bynnag (anyway) often moves a conversation on.

More linking words. ar y llaw arall (on the other hand), yn ogystal (as well, in addition), er enghraifft (for example).

Giving reasons. For "because", use achos or oherwydd, or gan fod in formal writing. Older texts have their own connectors: Literary Connectors.

Examples (6)

  1. Roedd y tywydd yn wael. Fodd bynnag, aethon ni allan.

    The weather was bad. However, we went out.

  2. Mae'r gwaith yn anodd; serch hynny, mae'n werth chweil.

    The work is hard; nevertheless, it's worthwhile.

  3. Roedd hi'n hwyr, felly aethon ni adref.

    It was late, so we went home.

    Felly is used in everyday speech as well as in writing.

  4. Mae'r ysgol yn dysgu tair iaith, sef Cymraeg, Saesneg a Ffrangeg.

    The school teaches three languages, namely Welsh, English and French.

  5. Mae'r cwrs am ddim, hynny yw, does dim rhaid talu.

    The course is free, that is, you don't have to pay.

  6. Roedd hi, fodd bynnag, yn anhapus.

    She was, however, unhappy.

    Fodd bynnag can come after the first part of the sentence.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a instead of ac before felly.

    Roedd hi'n hwyr a felly aethon ni adref.
    Roedd hi'n hwyr ac felly aethon ni adref.

    And is ac before a few words such as felly, fel and mae, even though they start with a consonant.

How It Connects

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

fodd bynnag / serch hynny / sefLevel 5Formal Connectors

Learn This First

Formal connectors extend bynnag forms and concessive clauses.

Words in This Pattern

fodd bynnagfellysefhynny ywserch