6,977
edits
Qino: Difference between revisions
→Demonstratives
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When used as an article, they directly precede the noun being modified. An exception is with numerals: the article precedes the numeral and agrees with it in gender - e.g. ''ta afar nama'' "the four people" (not *''afar ka nama''). Articles only decline in primary cases; other cases use the absolutive forms. When used as pronouns, demonstratives occur at the end of the noun phrase and can take secondary case endings. | When used as an article, they directly precede the noun being modified. An exception is with numerals: the article precedes the numeral and agrees with it in gender - e.g. ''ta afar nama'' "the four people" (not *''afar ka nama''). Articles only decline in primary cases; other cases use the absolutive forms. When used as pronouns, demonstratives occur at the end of the noun phrase and can take secondary case endings. | ||
There are no dedicated plural forms | There are no dedicated plural forms. If plural must be specified, ''mara'' "ones" (with feminine articles) can be used - e.g. ''tana mara'' "these ones". | ||
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The definite article always comes at the beginning of a noun phrase and has two forms: short and long. The short forms are used when the article directly preceding the noun being modified. If there is separation, the long forms can be used, especially if the short forms may cause confusion. | The definite article always comes at the beginning of a noun phrase and has two forms: short and long. The short forms are used when the article directly preceding the noun being modified. If there is separation, the long forms can be used, especially if the short forms may cause confusion. | ||