gan fod

Since, As: Gan Fod

Level 5

Gan fod means "since" or "as" when you give a reason: Gan fod hi'n bwrw glaw, arhoson ni gartref — As it was raining, we stayed at home.

How It Works

Examples

  • Gan fod hi'n bwrw glaw, arhoson ni gartref. — As it was raining, we stayed at home.
  • Gan fod y siop ar gau, es i i'r archfarchnad. — Since the shop was closed, I went to the supermarket.
  • Gan fod pawb wedi cyrraedd, gadewch i ni ddechrau. — Since everyone has arrived, let's start.

With pronouns, careful Welsh uses the possessive forms: gan fy mod i, gan ei fod e, gan ei bod hi. Speech often just says gan fod hi, gan fod nhw.

Negative: Gan nad oedd neb gartref, gadewais i nodyn. — As nobody was at home, I left a note.

Gan fod or achos? Achos is the everyday "because" and usually comes after the main clause: Arhoson ni gartref achos bod hi'n bwrw glaw. Gan fod sounds a little more careful and usually sets the scene first. Oherwydd is more formal still.

Other jobs of gan. Gan also means "by" after a passive (gan yr heddlu), "from" (cael llythyr gan Siân) and shows possession in the North (Mae gen i).

Examples (6)

  1. Gan fod hi'n bwrw glaw, arhoson ni gartref.

    As it was raining, we stayed at home.

  2. Gan fod y siop ar gau, es i i'r archfarchnad.

    Since the shop was closed, I went to the supermarket.

  3. Gan fod pawb wedi cyrraedd, gadewch i ni ddechrau.

    Since everyone has arrived, let's start.

  4. Gan nad oedd neb gartref, gadewais i nodyn.

    As nobody was at home, I left a note.

  5. Gan ei bod hi'n ddydd Sul, doedd dim bysiau.

    As it was Sunday, there were no buses.

  6. Gan fy mod i'n byw yn agos, dw i'n cerdded i'r gwaith.

    Since I live close by, I walk to work.

Common Mistakes

  • Using mae after gan.

    Gan mae hi'n bwrw glaw, arhoson ni gartref.
    Gan fod hi'n bwrw glaw, arhoson ni gartref.

    Gan (since) is followed by a bod clause, and gan softens bod to fod.

How It Connects

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

gan fodLevel 5Since, As: Gan Fod

Learn This First

Gan fod gives a known reason with a bod clause.

Words in This Pattern