Language/Tigrinya/Grammar/Personal-Pronouns
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
Welcome to the lesson on Tigrinya personal pronouns! In this lesson, we will explore the personal pronouns used in the Tigrinya language. Personal pronouns are words that replace or refer to nouns, indicating the person or thing that is being talked about. Understanding personal pronouns is essential for effective communication in Tigrinya. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently use personal pronouns in your Tigrinya sentences.
Personal Pronouns[edit | edit source]
In Tigrinya, personal pronouns are used to indicate the subject or object of a sentence. They can be singular or plural, and they vary depending on the grammatical gender of the noun they are replacing. Let's take a look at the Tigrinya personal pronouns:
Singular Personal Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Tigrinya has three singular personal pronouns, which are used to refer to one person or thing. The singular personal pronouns in Tigrinya are:
| Tigrinya | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| ኣነ (Ana) | a-na | I |
| አንቺ (Anchi) | an-chi | You (Feminine) |
| አንችልም (Anchelm) | an-chel-m | You (Masculine) |
| ኣይደልኩን (Aydilukun) | a-y-di-lu-kun | He/She/It |
Let's break down each pronoun and understand its usage:
1. ኣነ (Ana) - I: This pronoun is used when referring to oneself as the subject of a sentence. For example, "ኣነ በዓል እዩ" (Ana ba'al eyu) means "I am a student."
2. አንቺ (Anchi) - You (Feminine): This pronoun is used when addressing a female person as the subject of a sentence. For example, "አንቺ ናትና" (Anchi natna) means "You are beautiful."
3. አንችልም (Anchelm) - You (Masculine): This pronoun is used when addressing a male person as the subject of a sentence. For example, "አንችልም ሰው ነሽ" (Anchelm sew nesh) means "You are a good man."
4. ኣይደልኩን (Aydilukun) - He/She/It: This pronoun is used when referring to a third person as the subject of a sentence. For example, "ኣይደልኩን ባህላዊ ሓይለማት" (Aydilukun bahalawi hayle-mat) means "He/She/It is a talented artist."
Plural Personal Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Tigrinya also has plural personal pronouns, which are used to refer to more than one person or thing. The plural personal pronouns in Tigrinya are:
| Tigrinya | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| እኛ (Egnna) | eg-nna | We |
| እንዴት (Endet) | en-det | You (Plural) |
| ኣንቺልም (Anchelm) | an-chel-m | You (Formal) |
| ኣነችልም (Anchelm) | an-chel-m | They |
Let's explore each pronoun and its usage:
1. እኛ (Egnna) - We: This pronoun is used when referring to a group of people that includes the speaker as the subject of a sentence. For example, "እኛ ተዳህረይ" (Egnna tedahrey) means "We are friends."
2. እንዴት (Endet) - You (Plural): This pronoun is used when addressing a group of people as the subject of a sentence. For example, "እንዴት ስንክሳር" (Endet sin-kessar) means "You all are students."
3. ኣንቺልም (Anchelm) - You (Formal): This pronoun is used to address a group of people politely or formally as the subject of a sentence. For example, "ኣንቺልም መርዓክ" (Anchelm mer'ak) means "You all are welcome."
4. ኣነችልም (Anchelm) - They: This pronoun is used when referring to a group of people or things as the subject of a sentence. For example, "ኣነችልም ዓለም ናትና" (Anchelm alam natna) means "They are beautiful people."
Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]
In Tigrinya-speaking regions, personal pronouns play a significant role in communication. Tigrinya culture emphasizes the use of appropriate personal pronouns based on age, social status, and gender. Addressing someone using the correct personal pronoun demonstrates respect and reflects the hierarchical nature of Tigrinya society.
Tigrinya also has different pronouns for formal and informal situations. When addressing someone formally, it is common to use the pronoun "ኣንቺልም" (Anchelm) for "you all" instead of the informal "እኛ" (Egnna). This formality is often used when speaking to elders, authority figures, or in professional settings.
Exercise: Using Personal Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Now it's time to practice using personal pronouns in sentences. Complete the following exercises by choosing the correct personal pronoun for each sentence:
1. __________ are students. 2. __________ is a doctor. 3. __________ is from Eritrea. 4. __________ and __________ are friends. 5. __________ is a talented artist.
Solution: 1. እኛ (Egnna) 2. ኣነችልም (Anchelm) 3. ኣነችልም (Anchelm) 4. እኛ (Egnna), አነችልም (Anchelm) 5. ኣይደልኩን (Aydilukun)
Explanation: 1. "እኛ ተዳህረይ" (Egnna tedahrey) - We are friends. 2. "ኣነችልም ዳኮትር ነው" (Anchelm dakotar new) - He/She is a doctor. 3. "ኣነችልም ኤርትራውያን ናትና" (Anchelm Eritrawyan natna) - He/She is from Eritrea. 4. "እኛ እና አነችልም መልእክት" (Egnna ena Anchelm mel'eket) - We and you are friends. 5. "ኣይደልኩን ባህላዊ ሓይለማት" (Aydilukun bahalawi hayle-mat) - He/She/It is a talented artist.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Congratulations! You have successfully learned the Tigrinya personal pronouns. In this lesson, you discovered the singular and plural personal pronouns in Tigrinya, as well as their usage in sentences. Remember to pay attention to the gender and formality of personal pronouns when communicating in Tigrinya. Keep practicing and incorporating personal pronouns into your conversations to enhance your language skills.
In the next lesson, we will continue our exploration of Tigrinya grammar by delving into noun gender and plurality. Stay tuned!
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Tigrinya grammar - Wikipedia
- Tigrinya Grammar - Pronouns
- Tigrinya Grammar - Pronouns - Personal Pronouns
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Tigrinya Alphabet
- Adjectives
- How to Use Be
- Conditional Mood
- Subject Verb Object
- Descriptive Adjectives
- Future Tense
- Pronouns
- Noun Gender and Plurality
| ◀️ Noun Gender and Plurality — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Family Members ▶️ |