 | Chapter 10 - Type 5 Nouns |
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Reminder:
The indefinite singular noun is the basic form of the noun. No equivalent English articles, "a" or "an", are used before the noun.
Thus, árdey would translate to "student" or "a student"; Soomaáli would translate to "a Somali," etc.
The form of the indefinite noun does not distinguish between masculine and feminine. The different suffixes added to the noun will indicate the grammatical gender.
In this chapter, we delve into the details of forming Type 5 nouns in the plural and in the definite singular and plural forms.
Note:
Type 5 is a small group, mainly consisting of names of people, nationalities, and animals.
Indefinite Type 5 Nouns - Singular and Plural
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Type 5 Noun | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Gender |
Always masculine nouns | Always feminine nouns |
| Noun Form | 1 to 3 syllables. No syllable with a short vowel. |
Absolute singular and plural form. Change of gender marked by a change in tone. |
Tone |
High-Low tone in the final singular; Low-High tone in the final plural. |
|
| Plural of Indefinite Type 5 Nouns - Examples | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular (fem.) | Translation | Plural (masc.) | Translation |
| árdey | a student | ardéy | students |
| Soomaáli | a Somali | Soomaalí | Somalis |
| Xabáshi | an Ethiopian | Xabashí | Ethiopians |
| Cárab | an Arab | Caráb | Arabs |
| Yèy | a wolf | Yéy | wolves |
| áwr | a camel (male) | Awr | camels (males) |
| órgi | a billy goat | orgí | billy goats |
| díbi | a bull | dibí | bulls |
| áar | a lion (male) | aár | lions (males) |
| bálli | a mare | ballí | mares |
Type 5 Nouns - Formation of Definite Noun Singular and Plural
In Somali, the english articles "the" is marked by suffixes added to the end of the indefinite noun.
-
For singular, add the masculine suffix -ka if the absolute noun ends in a consonant and -ga if it ends in a vowel.
Examples: Aar (= male lion): aar + -ka -> aarka (= the lion)
Árdey (= student): árdey + -ga -> árdeyga = the student. -
For plural, add the feminine suffix -ta if the absolute noun ends in a consonant and -da if it ends in a vowel.
Examples: Aar (= male lion): aar + -ta -> aarta = the lions.
Árdey (= student): árdey + -da -> árdeyda = the students.
| Singular and Plural of Definite Type 5 Nouns - Examples | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute | Definite Singular | Definite Plural | Translation |
| ardey | ardeyga | ardeyda | the student, the students |
| Soomaali | Soomaaliga | Soomaalida | the Somali(s) |
| Xabashi | Xabashiga | Xabashida | the Ethiopian(s) |
| Carab | Carabka | Carabta | the Arab(s) |
| yey | yeyga | yeyda | the wolf(s) |
| awr | awrka | awrta | the camel(s) |
| orgi | orgiga | orgida | the billy goat(s) |
| dibi | dibiga | dibida | the bull(s) |
| aar | aarka | aarta | the lion(s) |
| balli | balliga | ballida | the mares |
Some additional Type 5 nouns:
- Askari = soldier
- Haad = bird of prey
- Ugax = bird egg
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