Language Learning

1. Penaos e vez lavaret an dra-se e brezhoneg ?

   How do you say this in Breton?

   Usage

   Pointing at something and asking for the Breton word

   Grammar Note

   "E vez" + past participle gives a passive ("is said"); language names are written in lower case. Composed sentence

2. Gallout a rafec'h skrivañ an dra-se din ?

   Can you write that down for me?

   Usage

   A polite request to have something written down

   Grammar Note

   "Gallout a rafec'h" + infinitive is a polite request. Composed sentence

3. Petra a dalvez ar ger-mañ ?

   What does this word mean?

   Usage

   Asking the meaning of an unfamiliar word

   Grammar Note

   The verb "talvezout" softens after "a" (t to d); the suffix "-mañ" means "this". Composed sentence

4. Deskiñ a ran brezhoneg. Gallout a rafemp komz asambles ?

   I'm learning Breton. Could we speak together?

   Usage

   Used when looking for someone to practise with

   Grammar Note

   "Deskiñ a ran" + a language name means "I am learning". Composed sentence

5. Penaos e vez distaget ar ger-mañ ?

   How is this word pronounced?

   Usage

   Confirming how a word is pronounced

   Grammar Note

   A passive with "e vez" + past participle; "distagañ" means to pronounce. Composed sentence

6. Poan am eus da zistagañ ar ger-mañ

   I have trouble pronouncing this word.

   Usage

   Said before asking for help with a hard word

   Grammar Note

   "Am eus" is "I have", a form of "kaout" (to have). The verb softens after "da" (d to z)

7. Komzit goustadik, mar plij

   Please speak more slowly.

   Usage

   Asking someone who speaks too fast to slow down

   Grammar Note

   "Komzit" is the polite imperative of komz; to a friend say "komz goustadik"

8. Petra eo anv an dra-mañ e brezhoneg ?

   What is this called in Breton?

   Usage

   Asking the Breton name of an object

   Grammar Note

   Same pattern as "Petra eo hoc'h anv ?" (what is your name), applied to an object. Composed sentence

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