rhain
Welsh edit
Etymology 1 edit
From y + rhai + hyn, literally “these ones”.
Alternative forms edit
Pronunciation edit
- (North Wales, standard) IPA(key): /r̥ai̯n/
- (North Wales, colloquial) IPA(key): /r̥ei̯n/, /hei̯n/
- (South Wales, standard) IPA(key): /r̥ai̯n/
- (South Wales, colloquial) IPA(key): /r̥ei̯n/, /rei̯n/
- Rhymes: -ai̯n
Pronoun edit
y rhain pl
- these
- Mae'r rhain gen i'n barod.
- I already have these.
- Ydy'r rhain cystal â'r rheina.
- Are these as good as those?
- Chi'n nabod rhein?
- Do you know these (people)?
Usage notes edit
- In standard Welsh, rhain is preceded by the definite article (y, or 'r after a vowel, due to its etymology.
- In colloquial language, the article is often dropped and the pronunciation may also be altered as regards the inital consonant or middle diphthong (see Pronunciation above), which may be reflected in informal or nonstandard spelling.
- "These" as a determiner in Welsh employs either hyn or yma (See entries for futher details).
Related terms edit
- hwn, hon, hon (“this”)
- hwnna, honna, hynna, hwnnw, honno (“that”); hynny (“that; those”)
- y rheina, y rheini, y rheiny (“those”)
Etymology 2 edit
Borrowed from Old Irish rigin.
Pronunciation edit
Adjective edit
rhain (feminine singular rhain, plural rhain, not comparable)
References edit
- R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “rhain”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies