Qino: Difference between revisions

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Many nouns are by default unmarked for number. The singulative is formed with suffixes such as ''-sha, -ha, -ka, -icha, -eesha, -ocha,'' (masculine) or ''-ti, -itti, -eeti, -otti'' (feminine). The plural is formed with suffixes such as ''-oota, -ani, -aani, -eeni, -ooni, -eeCi, -ooCi, -eeya, -ooya, -iina'' and ''-aati''. Broken plurals are common in Arabic loanwords and are sometimes extended to other words.

The exact usage depends on the noun in question. When all three forms exist, the unmarked form is generally used with numerals, as a collective, and when number is not particularly important. The singulative is used to refer to a specific individual and the plural is used to emphasize the plurality (especially if it is not clear from context). Multiple plural forms often exist and ad-hoc forms are common.

The exact usage depends on the noun in question. When all three forms exist, the unmarked form is generally used with numerals, as a collective, and when number is not particularly important. The singulative is used to refer to a specific individual, and the plural is used to emphasize the plurality (especially if it is not clear from context) or to refer to multiple groups. Multiple plural forms often exist and ad-hoc forms are common.

Not every noun has all three forms. If there is no unmarked form, the singulative and plural are used for singular and plural respectively, but the singulative is used with numerals. Some uncountable nouns are always in the plural (pluralia tantum) - e.g. ''bisheeya'' "water".

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 Many nouns are by default unmarked for number. The singulative is formed with suffixes such as ''-sha, -ha, -ka, -icha, <!---ta, -->-eesha, -ocha,'' (masculine) or ''-ti, -itti, -eeti, -otti'' (feminine). The plural is formed with suffixes such as ''-oota, -ani, -aani, -eeni, -ooni, -eeCi, -ooCi, -eeya, -ooya, -iina'' and ''-aati''. Broken plurals are common in Arabic loanwords and are sometimes extended to other words.
-The exact usage depends on the noun in question. When all three forms exist, the unmarked form is generally used with numerals, as a collective, and when number is not particularly important. The singulative is used to refer to a specific individual and the plural is used to emphasize the plurality (especially if it is not clear from context). Multiple plural forms often exist and ad-hoc forms are common.
+The exact usage depends on the noun in question. When all three forms exist, the unmarked form is generally used with numerals, as a collective, and when number is not particularly important. The singulative is used to refer to a specific individual, and the plural is used to emphasize the plurality (especially if it is not clear from context) or to refer to multiple groups. Multiple plural forms often exist and ad-hoc forms are common.
 Not every noun has all three forms. If there is no unmarked form, the singulative and plural are used for singular and plural respectively, but the singulative is used with numerals. Some uncountable nouns are always in the plural (pluralia tantum) - e.g. ''bisheeya'' "water".