Language/Standard-moroccan-tamazight/Grammar/Possessive-Adjectives

Standard Moroccan Tamazight Grammar → Introduction to Tamazight → Possessive Adjectives

Possessive adjectives are important in Tamazight as they help us to indicate ownership or possession over a particular object or person. Understanding how to use these adjectives will help you to expand your vocabulary and communicate effectively in Tamazight.

What are Possessive Adjectives?

Possessive adjectives are a type of adjective that indicates possession or ownership. In Tamazight, these adjectives come before a noun to show who owns or possesses a particular item. The possessive adjective may change depending on the gender of the item or person being described.

For example:

Standard Moroccan Tamazight	Pronunciation	English
tayyus	ta-jus	my bird
tayyus-ik	ta-jus-ik	your bird (masculine)
tayyus-tek	ta-jus-tek	your bird (feminine)
tayyus-i	ta-jus-i	his/her bird
tayyus-nsen	ta-jus-n-sen	our bird

As you can see, the possessive adjectives change depending on gender and number.

Here's a quick overview of the possessive adjectives in Tamazight:

	Masc. Sing.	Femi. Sing.	Masc. Plu.	Femi. Plu.
My	tayyus	tayyust	tayyusin	tayyustin
Your (Masc.)	tayyus-ik	tayyust-ik	tayyusin-ik	tayyustin-ik
Your (Femi.)	tayyus-tek	tayyust-tek	tayyusin-tek	tayyustin-tek
His/Her	tayyus-i	tayyust-i	tayyusinu	tayyustinu
Our	tayyus-nsen	tayyust-nsen	tayyusinu-nsen	tayyustinu-nsen

Note that the possessive adjectives have different forms depending on the possessive pronoun used.

Tips for using Possessive Adjectives

Here are a few tips for using possessive adjectives effectively in Tamazight:

• Always use the correct gender and number when using a possessive adjective. For example, if you're talking about a feminine object, use the feminine form of the adjective.

• If the noun begins with a vowel, use the form "t" before the possessive adjective. For example, "taselmad" means "my friend".

• Keep in mind that the possessive adjective comes before the noun. For example, "tayyus" means "my bird", while "ayyus-t" means "bird of mine".

• Be aware that although Tamazight speakers often omit the pronoun "I" in sentences, using the possessive "my" before the noun is still considered correct.

Examples

Here are a few examples of possessive adjectives in sentences:

• Tashut nnsen: Our cat

• Tayyudin tek: Your books (Feminine)

• Kra-k tissda: His/her shirt

• Tadukla nnin: Their house

• Tayrmid-i: My pencil

Conclusion

By mastering possessive adjectives, you will be well on your way towards becoming proficient in Tamazight. Remember that these adjectives show ownership or possession and must be used correctly to communicate effectively in Tamazight. Keep practicing, and you'll soon find that using possessive adjectives becomes second nature.

Table of Contents - Standard Moroccan Tamazight Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Introduction to Tamazight

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure
• Present Tense Verbs
• Possessive Adjectives
• Plural Nouns

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Greetings and Polite Expressions

• Common Phrases
• Numbers
• Days of the Week
• Months of the Year
• Family Members

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Traditional Tamazight Culture

• History and Origins of Tamazight
• Traditional Tamazight Clothing
• Traditional Tamazight Music
• Tamazight Cuisine

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Past Tense Verbs

• Regular Past Tense Verbs
• Irregular Past Tense Verbs

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Travel and Directions

• Asking for Directions
• Transportation
• Places in Town
• Travel Dialogue Practice

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Tamazight Festivals and Holidays

• Eid al-Adha
• Imilchil Marriage Festival
• Ait Lakhder Cherry Festival

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Future Tense Verbs

• Regular Future Tense Verbs
• Irregular Future Tense Verbs

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Food and Drink

• Food Vocabulary
• At the Restaurant
• At the Market

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Amazigh Activism and Language Preservation

• Tamazight Advocacy and Activism
• Tamazight Literature and Media

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Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjectives and Agreement
• Adverbs of Time and Frequency

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Weather

• Weather Vocabulary
• Describing Weather Conditions

Related Lessons

• How to Use Be
• Verb to be
• Regular Future Tense Verbs
• Future Tense
• Possessive pronouns
• Present Tense Verbs
• Adjectives
• Irregular Future Tense Verbs
• Questions
• How to Use Have