hoffwn i

I Would Like: Hoffwn I

Level 2

Hoffwn i means "I would like". It is the polite way to ask for something or say what you would like to do: Hoffwn i goffi, Hoffwn i fynd.

How It Works

All the forms:

  • hoffwn i — I would like
  • hoffet ti — you would like
  • hoffai fe / fo / hi — he / she would like
  • hoffen ni — we would like
  • hoffech chi — you would like
  • hoffen nhw — they would like

Soft mutation. The next word softens: Hoffwn i goffi (coffi), Hoffwn i fynd (mynd), Hoffen ni weld y castell (gweld). See soft mutation of the direct object.

Offering and answering. Hoffech chi baned? (Would you like a cuppa?) — Hoffwn (Yes, I would) or Na hoffwn (No, I wouldn't). A group answers Hoffen / Na hoffen. The h of hoffwn does not change in questions.

Hoffwn i or Dw i'n hoffi? Dw i'n hoffi coffi means "I like coffee" in general. Hoffwn i goffi means "I would like a coffee" now. See dw i'n hoffi.

Other ways to say it. In the North, licio works the same way: Liciwn i gael paned. You can also use the conditional of bod: Baswn i'n hoffi or Byddwn i'n hoffi (I would like); see baswn i and byddwn i.

Examples (6)

  1. Hoffwn i goffi, plîs.

    I'd like a coffee, please.

    Coffi softens to goffi.

  2. Hoffwn i fynd i Sbaen eleni.

    I'd like to go to Spain this year.

    Mynd softens to fynd.

  3. Hoffech chi baned? Hoffwn, diolch.

    Would you like a cuppa? Yes, I would, thanks.

    Hoffwn on its own means "I would".

  4. Hoffet ti ddod gyda ni?

    Would you like to come with us?

    To someone you call ti. Dod softens to ddod.

  5. Hoffen ni weld y castell.

    We'd like to see the castle.

    Gweld loses its g.

  6. Liciwn i gael paned.

    I'd like a cuppa.

    North: licio works just like hoffi. Cael softens to gael.

Common Mistakes

  • Using Dw i'n hoffi to order something.

    Dw i'n hoffi coffi, plîs.
    Hoffwn i goffi, plîs.

    Dw i'n hoffi coffi means "I like coffee" in general. To ask for one now, say Hoffwn i goffi.

  • Forgetting the soft mutation.

    Hoffwn i coffi.
    Hoffwn i goffi.

    The word straight after hoffwn i softens: coffi → goffi.

How It Connects

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

hoffwn iLevel 2I Would Like: Hoffwn I

Learn This First

Hoffwn i is the polite form of hoffi, with object mutation.

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