rhywfaint

Welsh

Etymology

rhyw +‎ maint (“amount, quantity”)

Pronunciation
  • (North Wales) IPA(key): /ˈr̥ɪu̯vai̯nt/, /ˈr̥ɨu̯vai̯nt/
  • (South Wales) IPA(key): /ˈr̥ɪu̯vai̯nt/
  • Rhymes: -ɪu̯vai̯nt, -ɨu̯vai̯nt

Usage notes

Despite being written with a "y", the vowel here is generally pronounced /ɪ/ in the north as tends to be the case when "y" precedes "w".

Noun

rhywfaint m (plural rhywfeintiau)

  1. some amount, some quantity
    Rwy'n siarad rhywfaint o Gymraeg.
    I speak some/a bit of Welsh.

Usage notes
  • When used adverbially, equivalent to English "somewhat/rather".
    Rwy'n teimlo rywfaint yn well.
    I feel somewhat/rather/a bit better.
  • faint (“how much, how many”)

Mutation
Welsh mutation
radical soft nasal aspirate
rhywfaint rywfaint unchanged unchanged
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

References
  • R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “rhywfaint”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies
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