rhain

Welsh

Etymology 1

From y +‎ rhai +‎ hyn, literally “these ones”.

Alternative forms

• rhein

Pronunciation

• (North Wales, standard) IPA^(key): /r̥ai̯n/
  • (North Wales, colloquial) IPA^(key): /r̥ei̯n/, /hei̯n/
• (South Wales, standard) IPA^(key): /r̥ai̯n/
  • (South Wales, colloquial) IPA^(key): /r̥ei̯n/, /rei̯n/
• Rhymes: -ai̯n

Pronoun

y rhain pl

1. these

   Mae'r rhain gen i'n barod.

   I already have these.

   Ydy'r rhain cystal â'r rheina.

   Are these as good as those?

   Chi'n nabod rhein?

   Do you know these (people)?

Usage notes

• In standard Welsh, rhain is preceded by the definite article (y, or 'r after a vowel, due to its etymology.
• In colloquial language, the article is often dropped and the pronunciation may also be altered as regards the inital consonant or middle diphthong (see Pronunciation above), which may be reflected in informal or nonstandard spelling.
• "These" as a determiner in Welsh employs either hyn or yma (See entries for futher details).

Related terms

• hwn, hon, hon (“this”)
• hwnna, honna, hynna, hwnnw, honno (“that”); hynny (“that; those”)
• y rheina, y rheini, y rheiny (“those”)

Etymology 2

From Middle Welsh rein, from Old Welsh (appearing in Regin (tribe name)), from Proto-Celtic *reginis; cognate to Old Irish rigin.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /r̥ai̯n/
• Rhymes: -ai̯n

Adjective

rhain (feminine singular rhain, plural rhain, not comparable)

1. stiff (of a corpse), rigid

References

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