rhain
Welsh
editEtymology 1
editFrom y + rhai + hyn, literally “these ones”.
Alternative forms
editPronunciation
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
edity 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
editBorrowed from Old Irish rigin.
Pronunciation
editAdjective
editrhain (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