These are just five quick examples of words which you break down into smaller words which *might* help you to keep them firmly in your brain!
- Cefnogaeth > cefn o gaeth > to have someone's back > to support
- Cyfrifiadur > cyfrif i addurn > a counting ornament > computer
- anything beginning with cyfrif is to do with counting; cyfrifiannell is a calculator, cyfrif is to count, cyfrifydd is an accountant.
- Llyfrgell > llyfr gell > a cell of books > library
- oergell (cold cell > refrigerator) and rhewgell (ice cell > freezer) follow the same pattern, so anything with -gell is a container of something.
- Ffermwr > fferm gŵr > farm man > farmer
- words ending in -wr are mostly someone who works somewhere; gyrrwr (gyrru gŵr) > driver, cyfreithwr (cyfraith gŵr) > solicitor, tafarnwr (tafarn gŵr) > landlord.
- Modurdy > modur tŷ > motor house > garage
- words ending in -dy/-ty are often a place where things are housed or work is done; ysbyty > hospital, gweithdy > workshop, gwesty > hotel.
So, it makes sense to try and understand how the word is 'made', you will have a logical reminder of most words and be able to work out the unknown ones... well, some of them anyway! Of course, not all words DO follow a pattern, but it's a start!
Share some of your own tips below!
