rhaid

From Middle Welsh reit, from Proto-Brythonic *rrėd, possibly from Latin ratiō (“reason; manner”).^[1]

• (North Wales, standard, colloquial) IPA^(key): /r̥ai̯d/
  • (North Wales, colloquial) IPA^(key): /hai̯d/
• (South Wales, standard, colloquial) IPA^(key): /r̥ai̯d/
  • (South Wales, colloquial) IPA^(key): /rai̯d/
• Rhymes: -ai̯d

rhaid m (plural rheidiau)

1. necessity, need
2. translates English constructions with must, have to (see usage notes)

   [Mae] rhaid i ni fod yn ofalus.

   We must be careful.

   (literally, “[There is] need for us to be careful.”)

   Oedd rhaid i chi wneud hynny?

   Did you have to do that?

   (literally, “Was there need for you to do that?”)

   Rhaid bod e wedi gadael dros nos.

   He must have left overnight.

   (literally, “There is need that he has left overnight.”)

The English verb “must”/“have to” is often translated as bod rhaid i (which construction is synonymous with the verbal noun gorfod). When the form of bod is mae it is generally omitted in informal use.

Note the two ways of negating:

Does dim rhaid iddi hi ddod.

She doesn't have to come.

(literally, “There is no need for her to come.”)

Rhaid iddi hi beidio â dod.

She must not come.

(literally, “There is need for her to not come.”)

• anghenraid (“necessity”)
• rheidiol (“necessary”)
• rheidrwydd (“compulsion”)
• rheidus (“needy”)

• angen
• eisiau

• D. G. Lewis, N. Lewis, editors (2005–present), “rhaid”, in Gweiadur: the Welsh–English Dictionary, Gwerin