A simple, interactive guide to how letters change in Welsh.
A mutation changes the beginning of a word. Start with the letters, see them in context, then have a go yourself.
Choose a mutation to see which initial letters change. Red marks the result. Welsh ll and rh each count as one letter.
| Original | Mutated result |
|---|---|
| p | b |
| t | d |
| c | g |
| b | f |
| d | dd |
| g | - |
| m | f |
| ll | l |
| rh | r |
Nine initial letters change. When g disappears, the rest of the word stays.
| Original | Mutated result |
|---|---|
| p | mh |
| t | nh |
| c | ngh |
| b | m |
| d | n |
| g | ng |
Only p, t, c, b, d and g change under nasal mutation.
| Original | Mutated result |
|---|---|
| p | ph |
| t | th |
| c | ch |
Only p, t and c change under standard aspirate mutation.
Here is an example for every change above. The meaning of the noun stays the same; the word before it triggers the mutation.
After dy (your):
After fy (my):
After ei (her):
Answer 20 questions and see your score at the end. Choose the correct mutated form. Take your time — there is no timer.
Soft / Meddal · Nasal / Trwynol · Aspirate / Llaes
| Original | Mutated result |
|---|---|
| p | b |
| t | d |
| c | g |
| b | f |
| d | dd |
| g | - |
| m | f |
| ll | l |
| rh | r |
| Original | Mutated result |
|---|---|
| p | mh |
| t | nh |
| c | ngh |
| b | m |
| d | n |
| g | ng |
| Original | Mutated result |
|---|---|
| p | ph |
| t | th |
| c | ch |
Only the initials listed in each chart change under that mutation. Soft mutation removes initial g. Other letters remain unchanged in these standard consonant mutations.
Common triggers: soft after i, o, dy, ei (his); nasal after fy; aspirate after ei (her) and a (and). This is a quick reminder, not a complete set of rules.
The Bald Welsh Teacher · baldwelshteacher.com
