i or at?

To a Place or a Person: I and at

Level 3

To a place is i: Es i i Gaerdydd. To a person, when you go or send towards them, is at: Anfonais i lythyr at Siân.

How It Works

Use i for:

  • going to a place: Es i i Gaerdydd, Dw i'n mynd i'r gwaith
  • giving or buying for someone: Prynais i anrheg i Siân, Rhoddodd hi'r llyfr i'r athro
  • asking and thanking: gofyn i, diolch i

Use at for:

  • going or coming to a person: Es i at y meddyg (I went to the doctor), Dere ata i (South) or Tyrd ata i (North) (Come to me)
  • writing or sending to a person: Anfonais i lythyr at Siân, ysgrifennu at
  • moving up to a thing: Cerddodd hi at y drws (She walked to the door)

Personal forms. I changes only with fe, hi and nhw (iddo fe, iddi hi). At has a full set: ata i, ato fe.

Mutation. Both soften the next word: i Gaerdydd, at feddyg. See i and o with places.

Examples (6)

  1. Aethon ni i Fangor dros y penwythnos.

    We went to Bangor over the weekend.

    A place, so i. Bangor softens to Fangor.

  2. Prynais i anrheg i Siân.

    I bought a present for Siân.

    Buying for someone takes i.

  3. Anfonais i lythyr at Siân.

    I sent a letter to Siân.

    Sending towards a person takes at. Llythyr softens as the object.

  4. Tyrd ata i!

    Come to me!

    North. In the South: Dere ata i!

  5. Es i at y meddyg bore 'ma.

    I went to the doctor this morning.

    Going to a person takes at.

  6. Cerddodd hi at y drws.

    She walked to the door.

Common Mistakes

  • Using i for movement towards a person.

    Dere i fi!
    Dere ata i!

    When someone moves towards a person, use at, not i.

How It Connects

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

i or at?Level 3To a Place or a Person: I and at

Learn This First

I and at are contrasted for places and people.

Words in This Pattern