Language/Amharic/Grammar/Adjectives

Amharic Grammar - Adjectives

Hi Amharic learners! 😊
In today's lesson, we will be discussing adjectives in the Amharic language. Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns and pronouns. They can be used to give more information about a person, place, thing, or idea. In Amharic, adjectives are usually placed after the noun they modify.

Formation of Adjectives

Adjectives in Amharic are formed by adding suffixes to nouns. The most common suffixes are -a, -e, and -i.

-a Suffix

The -a suffix is used to form adjectives from nouns. For example, the noun "አይነት" (meaning "type") becomes the adjective "አይነታት" (meaning "various types").

-e Suffix

The -e suffix is used to form adjectives from verbs. For example, the verb "መጣ" (meaning "to come") becomes the adjective "መጣት" (meaning "coming").

-i Suffix

The -i suffix is used to form adjectives from nouns. For example, the noun "አምስት" (meaning "month") becomes the adjective "አምስታት" (meaning "monthly").

Adjective Agreement

In Amharic, adjectives must agree with the nouns they modify in gender and number.

Gender Agreement

When an adjective modifies a masculine noun, it takes the masculine form. When an adjective modifies a feminine noun, it takes the feminine form. For example, the adjective "አይነታት" (meaning "various types") becomes "አይነታቶች" when modifying a feminine noun.

Number Agreement

When an adjective modifies a singular noun, it takes the singular form. When an adjective modifies a plural noun, it takes the plural form. For example, the adjective "አይነታት" (meaning "various types") becomes "አይነታትኛዎች" when modifying a plural noun.

Adjective Order

In Amharic, adjectives usually follow the noun they modify. However, there are some exceptions. For example, when two adjectives modify the same noun, the adjective that describes size or shape usually comes first. For example, the phrase "አይነታት አምስታት" (meaning "various monthly types") would be written as "አምስታት አይነታት".

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Related Lessons

• “to be” and “to have”
• The Present Future Tense
• Making Suggestions Using “Let”
• The Possessive Adjectives
• Direct and Indirect Object Affixes
• The Definite Article
• Negative Imperatives
• Simple Gerundive
• Pluralizing