byw

Welsh

Pronunciation

• (North Wales) IPA^(key): /bɪu̯/, /bɨu̯/
• (South Wales) IPA^(key): /bɪu̯/

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Etymology 1

From Proto-Brythonic *bɨw, from Proto-Celtic *biwos, from Proto-Indo-European *gʷih₃wós, from *gʷeyh₃- (“to live”).

Adjective

byw (feminine singular byw, plural bywion, unknown comparative)

1. alive, living, having life, animate, quick, existing, actual
2. lively, full of life, vivacious, vigorous, sprightly, spirited, eager, sparkling; vivid, graphic, susceptible to

Noun

byw m (plural bywion)

1. living person or soul, living creature
2. living, life, lifetime; energy, vigor, vitality
3. the quick, the living flesh, the soft part of bread

Etymology 2

From Proto-Celtic [Term?], ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gʷeyh₃- (“to live”). Compare Breton beva, Cornish bewa.

Verb

byw

1. to live

Usage notes

Byw does not conjugate and must be used with periphrasis.

Roedd o’n byw yng Nghaerdydd.

He lived in Cardiff.

Related terms

• bywyd

Mutation

Welsh mutation
radical	soft	nasal	aspirate
byw	fyw	myw	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), “byw”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies