arfer

Used to: Arfer

Level 3

Put arfer (to be used to) after bod + yn to talk about habits: Ro'n i'n arfer byw yma (I used to live here).

How It Works

Past habits: used to. Use the past of bod (roeddwn i, usually said ro'n i):

  • Ro'n i'n arfer byw yn Aberystwyth. — I used to live in Aberystwyth.
  • Roedd hi'n arfer chwarae'r piano. — She used to play the piano.
  • Do'n i ddim yn arfer hoffi coffi. — I didn't use to like coffee.

Present habits: usually. With the present of bod, arfer means you normally do something: Dw i'n arfer codi'n gynnar (I usually get up early). The phrase fel arfer also means usually: Fel arfer, dw i'n cerdded i'r gwaith.

Used to something. Wedi arfer â means be used to or be comfortable with something: Dw i wedi arfer â'r glaw erbyn hyn (I'm used to the rain by now). Here â comes before the thing, and it becomes ag before a vowel.

No mutation after arfer. The action keeps its dictionary form: arfer byw, arfer mynd, arfer codi.

The future of bod can also describe regular habits: see habits with bydd.

Examples (6)

  1. Ro'n i'n arfer byw yn Aberystwyth.

    I used to live in Aberystwyth.

    Ro'n i is the spoken short form of roeddwn i.

  2. Roedd hi'n arfer chwarae'r piano.

    She used to play the piano.

  3. Do'n i ddim yn arfer hoffi coffi.

    I didn't use to like coffee.

    The negative past of bod: do'n i ddim (doeddwn i ddim).

  4. Ro'n ni'n arfer mynd i'r traeth bob haf.

    We used to go to the beach every summer.

    Pob softens to bob because the time phrase works like an adverb. Ro'n ni is the Southern form; the North says Roedden ni'n arfer mynd i'r traeth bob haf, and everyday Northern speech also says oeddan ni.

  5. Dw i'n arfer codi'n gynnar.

    I usually get up early.

    With the present of bod, arfer means usually.

  6. Dw i wedi arfer â'r glaw erbyn hyn.

    I'm used to the rain by now.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the present of bod when you mean "I used to live in Aberystwyth".

    Dw i'n arfer byw yn Aberystwyth.
    Ro'n i'n arfer byw yn Aberystwyth.

    With the present, arfer means usually, so the first sentence says you usually live there. For a past habit, put bod in the past.

How It Connects

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arferLevel 3Used to: Arfer

Learn This First

Arfer is used with bod + yn, especially in the imperfect.

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