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Plural is formed with ''-oóyn'' (definite: ''-oóyki'') or ''-yáal'' (definite: ''-yáalki''). The ending ''-yáal'' is used for nouns (mostly masculine) ending in ''-e'' or ''-i'', e.g. ''tuké'' "crow" → ''tukeyáal''. All other nouns take the ending ''-oóyn''. Note that both endings override any other high tones in the word. For feminine nouns ending in ''-o'', the ''-o'' becomes ''a'' and an epithetic ''th'' is added before the ending. For example, ''maghaaló'' "city" + ''-oóyn'' → ''maghaalathoóyn'' "cities". Masculine nouns assimilate an ''-o'' to the ending. | Plural is formed with ''-oóyn'' (definite: ''-oóyki'') or ''-yáal'' (definite: ''-yáalki''). When either of these endings is added to a noun, any high tones in the singular are dropped. The ending ''-yáal'' is used for nouns (mostly masculine) ending in ''-e'' or ''-i'', e.g. ''tuké'' "crow" → ''tukeyáal''. All other nouns take the ending ''-oóyn''. Note that both endings override any other high tones in the word. For feminine nouns ending in ''-o'', the ''-o'' becomes ''a'' and an epithetic ''th'' is added before the ending. For example, ''maghaaló'' "city" + ''-oóyn'' → ''maghaalathoóyn'' "cities". Masculine nouns assimilate an ''-o'' to the ending. | ||
Some words | Some words have a "short" plural (usually in ''-ó'', definite: ''-íhi'') in addition to the "long" plural in ''-oóyn/yáal''. In the case of body parts, the short plural is normally used when they belong to one person. | ||
e.g. <i>'''Gacánti''' taagheen.</i> = They raised the hand (i.e. each person raised a hand; hand is in singular). | e.g. <i>'''Gacánti''' taagheen.</i> = They raised the hand (i.e. each person raised a hand; hand is in singular). | ||
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:<i>'''Gacmoóyki''' la taaghi.</i> = The hands (of multiple people; hand is in long plural) were raised. | :<i>'''Gacmoóyki''' la taaghi.</i> = The hands (of multiple people; hand is in long plural) were raised. | ||
For other words, the short plural is used as a collective noun. | For other words, the short plural is most often used as a collective/mass noun or as a paucal. Short plurals are mostly relics of earlier plural formations, although some are analogical innovations. | ||
There is also a double plural, used to emphasize the large number of something. This is formed with the suffix ''-oónyo'' (definite: ''-oonyáthi'') or ''-yaálo'' (definite: ''-yaaláthi''), for ''-oóyn'' and ''-yáal'' nouns respectively. | There is also a double plural, used to emphasize the large number of something. This is formed with the suffix ''-oónyo'' (definite: ''-oonyáthi'') or ''-yaálo'' (definite: ''-yaaláthi''), for ''-oóyn'' and ''-yáal'' nouns respectively. | ||