Language/Plateau-malagasy/Grammar/Plurals
Hi Plateau Malagasy learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be learning about plurals in Plateau Malagasy. Understanding plurals is an essential part of any language, and it's no different in Plateau Malagasy. Once you understand how to form plurals, you'll be able to use Plateau Malagasy more effectively in everyday communication.
Introduction[edit | edit source]
In Plateau Malagasy, plurals are formed in several different ways, depending on the noun. Some nouns simply add an -s to form the plural, while others change the vowel in the word, and still others completely change the word altogether.
As with many languages, it's best to learn the plural form along with the singular form, so you get a feel for how the language works. For example, you may notice that certain nouns always add a certain letter/sound to form the plural form.
Let's take a look at some examples below.
Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Gender, Pronouns, Regular Verbs & Pronouns and Their Usage.
Forming Plurals[edit | edit source]
In Plateau Malagasy, the most common way to form a plural noun is to add -eny to the end of the word. Many nouns simply add the suffix -eny to form the plural, as in the following examples:
| Plateau Malagasy | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| firaisana | fi-ra-ee-sa-nah | villages |
| hendry | heyn-dree | children |
| hira | hee-rah | songs |
| ray | rahy | guys |
There are, of course, exceptions to this rule, as shown below:
| Plateau Malagasy | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| oka | ohh-kah | one |
| andry | ahn-dree | man |
| voa | voh-ah | fruit |
| ria | ree-ah | broom |
As you can see, the plurals of these words are formed in different ways, so it's important to learn the plural form along with the singular form.
Another way to form plurals in Plateau Malagasy is to double the final consonant and add -a. Here are some examples:
| Plateau Malagasy | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| vetaveta | veh-tah-veh-tah | chairs |
| mangana | mahn-gah-nah | bruises |
| mahita | mah-hee-tah | saws |
| faly | fah-lee | happy |
Again, there are exceptions to this rule, and it's important to learn the plural forms along with the singular forms. Here are some examples of words whose plural is formed in a different way:
| Plateau Malagasy | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| omby | ohm-bee | cow |
| hatrany | hat-rah-ny | limit/maximun |
| mafy | mah-fy | strong |
| lisitra | lee-see-trah | sheet |
For other nouns, entirely new forms are used for the plural. Here are some examples:
| Plateau Malagasy | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| olomanga | oh-loh-mahn-gah | leg/foot |
| voavolom-poaky | voh-ah-voh-lohm-pwah-ky | feather |
| henala | hey-nah-lah | ear |
It's important to learn these plural forms when you are learning the nouns themselves, otherwise, you may find it difficult to remember them!
Examples in Context[edit | edit source]
Let's take a look at some dialogue between two siblings:
- Sibling 1: Toa tonga dia mangina iny anareo? (Did you both eat?)
- Sibling 2: Ahoana no tsy mangan'i loharano irery iny anaoary? (Why wouldn't we eat the delicacy?)
- Sibling 1: Misaotra anareo teo aloha (Thank you all for coming).
- Sibling 2: Na misaotra fihetsikely, fa ela ve ilay olomanga anao ary no nahasiavinareo? (Thank you for the help, but where did you lose your shoes?)
In this dialogue, we see several examples of plurals in Plateau Malagasy.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
In conclusion, plurals are an important part of learning any language, and Plateau Malagasy is no exception. By understanding the various ways in which plurals are formed, you will be better equipped to use the language in everyday communication. If you need further help, consider seeking out native speakers on Polyglot Club and asking them any questions. To improve your Plateau Malagasy Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website.
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Sources[edit | edit source]
Finished this lesson? Check out these related lessons: Plateau Malagasy Grammar → Prepositions and Conjunctions ..., How to Use "Be", Questions & Negation.