Basic Words

1. Ya

   Yes

   Usage

   A short affirmative reply to a question

   Grammar Note

   Breton often answers by repeating the verb, but Ya is enough for a traveller

2. Nann

   No

   Usage

   A short negative reply; also used to decline

   Grammar Note

   The basic word for no; adding thanks, as in "Nann, trugarez", sounds polite

3. Mar plij

   Please

   Usage

   Added to requests and orders; the same form is used politely or casually

   Grammar Note

   Literally "if it pleases"; it can follow a noun, as in "Dour, mar plij" (water, please)

4. Trugarez

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic word for thanks

   Grammar Note

   To strengthen it say "Trugarez vras"; add the person with "Trugarez deoc'h" (polite) or "Trugarez dit" (to a friend)

5. Va digarezit

   Excuse me

   Usage

   A polite way to get a stranger's attention or to interrupt lightly

   Grammar Note

   This is the plural/polite command form; with friends just say "Digarez"

6. Digarez

   Sorry

   Usage

   To apologise lightly, for example after bumping into someone

   Grammar Note

   The noun "digarez" (excuse) is used as a set phrase of apology

7. Mat eo

   It's OK

   Usage

   To accept an apology or a suggestion, or to say that all is fine

   Grammar Note

   The adjective comes first; with the subject left out it means "that is fine"

8. Ne gomprenan ket

   I don't understand

   Usage

   The basic phrase when you cannot follow

   Grammar Note

   The verb softens after "ne" (k becomes g); negation is built as ne ... ket

9. Kompren a ran

   I understand

   Usage

   Used when you have followed what was said

   Grammar Note

   A periphrastic form: verb + a + a form of "ober" (do); the particle "a" marks an affirmative sentence

10. Echuet em eus

    I'm finished

    Usage

    To say that a meal or task is done

    Grammar Note

    The perfect is built with "em eus" (I have, a form of "kaout" to have), with the participle fronted

11. Gortozit, mar plij

    Please wait

    Usage

    A polite way to ask someone to wait

    Grammar Note

    The ending -it makes the plural/polite command; to a friend just say "Gortoz"

12. Ur pennadig, mar plij

    Just a moment, please

    Usage

    To ask for a short wait

    Grammar Note

    The suffix -ig is a diminutive, so "pennadig" means a very short while

13. N'em eus ket miret ur gambr

    I haven't booked a room

    Usage

    To say at a hotel that you have no reservation

    Grammar Note

    The feminine noun "kambr" softens to "gambr" after "ur"; negation is n'em eus ... ket

14. Miret em eus ur gambr

    I have booked a room

    Usage

    To say at check-in that you have a booking

    Grammar Note

    The participle "miret" comes first in this perfect; the feminine "kambr" softens after "ur"

15. Sikourit ac'hanon, mar plij

    Please help me

    Usage

    A polite way to ask for help when in trouble

    Grammar Note

    "Sikour" is followed by ac'hanon (me); -it makes the polite command (a composed sentence)

16. Adarre, mar plij

    Once more, please

    Usage

    To ask someone to repeat what you did not catch

    Grammar Note

    "Adarre" is the adverb "again"; in speech it can stand alone as a short request

17. Komzit goustadik, mar plij

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    To ask someone who speaks too fast to slow down

    Grammar Note

    "Goustad" means slow; adding -ik gives the gentle "slowly, softly" (a composed sentence)

18. Komz a ran un tammig brezhoneg

    I speak a little Breton

    Usage

    Telling people you speak a little of the local language is appreciated

    Grammar Note

    Language names are written in lower case; the periphrastic "komz a ran" means "I speak"

19. Komz a rit saozneg ?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    To ask whether the other person speaks English

    Grammar Note

    "Rit" is the polite plural "you"; with a friend say "Komz a rez saozneg ?"

20. An dra-mañ

    This

    Usage

    To point at something near you and say "this"

    Grammar Note

    The suffix -mañ marks something near and -se something further; both follow the noun

21. An dra-se

    That

    Usage

    To point at something a little away and say "that"

    Grammar Note

    The suffix -se marks something at a distance from the speaker

22. Amañ

    Here

    Usage

    Indicates the place where you are now

    Grammar Note

    A place adverb, as in "Gortozit amañ" (wait here)

23. Aze

    There

    Usage

    Indicates a place near the listener or close and visible

    Grammar Note

    A place adverb for somewhere a little away; for somewhere further use "eno"

24. Eno

    Over there

    Usage

    Indicates a place far from both people

    Grammar Note

    A place adverb for a distant spot, contrasted with "amañ" (here) and "aze" (there)

25. Me

    Usage

    To point to yourself and say "me"

    Grammar Note

    An emphatic personal pronoun; in ordinary sentences the verb ending already shows the person

26. Ha c'hwi ?

    And you?

    Usage

    A polite way to turn the same question back to the other person

    Grammar Note

    "C'hwi" is the polite/plural "you"; to a friend say "Ha te ?"

27. Asambles

    Together

    Usage

    To show that you want to do something with someone

    Grammar Note

    An adverb placed after the verb or at the end of a sentence

Browse all TravelPhrases languages