ar gefn

Welsh

Etymology

ar (“on”) + cefn (“back”)

Pronunciation

• (North Wales) IPA^(key): /ar ˈɡɛvn/
• (South Wales, standard, colloquial) IPA^(key): /ar ˈɡɛvn/, [ar ˈɡɛvn, ar ˈɡɛvn̩]
  • (South Wales, colloquial) IPA^(key): /ar ˈɡeːvɛn/, /ar ˈɡɛvɛn/

Preposition

ar gefn

1. on the back of, on top of, astride

Usage notes

• Often used with reference to modes of transport where English would use on.

Inflection

Personal forms (literary)

	Singular	Plural
First person	ar fy nghefn	ar ein cefn
Second person	ar dy gefn	ar eich cefn
Third person	ar ei gefn m ar ei chefn f	ar eu cefn

Personal forms (colloquial)

	Singular	Plural
First person	ar fy nghefn i	ar ein cefn ni
Second person	ar dy gefn di	ar eich cefn chi
Third person	ar ei gefn e/o m ar ei chefn hi f	ar eu cefn nhw

Derived terms

• ar gefn ei geffyl gwyn (“on his high horse”)

References

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