dim ond

Only: Dim Ond

Level 3

Put dim ond (only) right before the thing you are limiting: Dim ond un, diolch (Just one, thanks).

How It Works

Before a noun or number.

  • Dim ond un, diolch. — Just one, thanks.
  • Dim ond coffi, diolch. — Just coffee, thanks.
  • Dim ond pum munud! — Only five minutes!

Only + the subject. Put dim ond and the subject first, then use sy in the present: Dim ond Siân sy'n gyrru (Only Siân is driving), Dim ond ni sy yma (There's only us here). This is the same shape as emphasis by fronting.

Only + the action. With bod, speech often puts ond before yn: Dw i ond yn gofyn (I'm only asking). You'll also hear the short form 'mond: 'Mond gofyn o'n i (I was only asking).

Yn unig. After a word, yn unig also means only, especially in writing: Cymraeg yn unig (Welsh only).

Not a negative. Dim ond contains dim, but the sentence is positive: Dim ond un sy ar ôl means there's one left.

Examples (6)

  1. Dim ond un, diolch.

    Just one, thanks.

  2. Dim ond coffi, diolch.

    Just coffee, thanks.

  3. Dim ond Siân sy'n gallu gyrru.

    Only Siân can drive.

    The subject comes after dim ond, followed by sy.

  4. Dw i ond yn gofyn.

    I'm only asking.

    In speech, ond can sit before yn.

  5. 'Mond gofyn o'n i.

    I was only asking.

    'Mond is a spoken short form of dim ond.

  6. Dim ond un sy ar ôl.

    There's only one left.

Common Mistakes

  • Using mae after dim ond + subject.

    Dim ond Siân mae'n gyrru.
    Dim ond Siân sy'n gyrru.

    When dim ond limits the subject, use sy after it, not mae.

How It Connects

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

dim ondLevel 3Only: Dim Ond

Learn This First

Dim ond limits a word and can stand before yn.

Words in This Pattern

dim ond'mond