ers

Since and for: Ers

Level 3

Use ers with a time that runs up to now: Dw i'n byw yma ers 2020 (I've lived here since 2020).

How It Works

Still going on. Ers links something that is still true to a time:

  • Dw i'n dysgu Cymraeg ers dwy flynedd. — I've been learning Welsh for two years.
  • Mae hi'n byw yma ers 2020. — She has lived here since 2020.

Keep the present. Welsh says Dw i'n dysgu (I am learning), not "I have been learning". This is the traditional pattern. You will also hear Dw i wedi gweithio yma ers blynyddoedd, which is becoming more common.

For and since are one word. Ers works with a length (ers wythnos, for a week) and with a starting point (ers mis Mai, since May).

Looking back from the past. With the past of bod, ers means had been: Ro'n i'n gweithio yno ers blwyddyn pan gaeodd y cwmni (I had been working there for a year when the company closed).

Finished time uses am. When the period is over, use am, which softens the next word: Arhoson ni am ddwy noson (We stayed for two nights). Compare Ro'n i'n gweithio yno am flynyddoedd (I worked there for years, but not now).

Asking how long. Ers pryd? means Since when? or How long?: Ers pryd wyt ti'n byw yng Nghaerdydd? Especially in the North, ers talwm means for ages or a long time ago.

Notice the counting word blynedd in dwy flynedd and pum mlynedd.

Examples (6)

  1. Dw i'n dysgu Cymraeg ers dwy flynedd.

    I've been learning Welsh for two years.

    Welsh uses the present (dw i'n dysgu) because the learning is still going on.

  2. Mae hi'n byw yma ers 2020.

    She has lived here since 2020.

  3. Dw i'n aros ers hanner awr!

    I've been waiting for half an hour!

  4. Ers pryd wyt ti'n byw yng Nghaerdydd?

    How long have you been living in Cardiff?

  5. Dw i ddim wedi gweld Siân ers misoedd.

    I haven't seen Siân for months.

    In negatives, ers often goes with wedi.

  6. Buon ni'n siarad am ddwy awr.

    We talked for two hours.

    The talking is over, so am is used, not ers.

Common Mistakes

  • Using am when you mean "I've been learning Welsh for two years".

    Dw i'n dysgu Cymraeg am ddwy flynedd.
    Dw i'n dysgu Cymraeg ers dwy flynedd.

    If you are still learning, use ers. Am is for a period that is finished or planned.

How It Connects

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

ersLevel 3Since and for: Ers

Learn This First

Ers combines the present with a length of time.

Words in This Pattern

ersers