Language/Northern-kurdish/Grammar/Genitive-Case
In this lesson, we will learn about the genitive case in Northern Kurdish noun and adjective declension. The genitive case is used to indicate possession or relationship between two nouns. It is important to understand this case to be able to form correct sentences in Northern Kurdish.
Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: Accusative Case & Alphabet and Pronunciation.
What is the Genitive Case?
The genitive case is used to show possession, ownership, or relationship between two nouns. It is used to answer the question "Whose?" in Northern Kurdish. The genitive case is formed by adding the suffix "-ê" to the end of the noun or adjective.
For example:
| Northern Kurdish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| مێژوو | mêʒû | book |
| مێژووی من | mêʒûya min | my book |
| مێژووی دووستم | mêʒûya dawust-em | my friend's book |
In the second example, "-ê" is added to the end of "mêʒû" to indicate possession: "my book". In the third example, "-ê" is added to the end of "mêʒûya dawust" to indicate that the book belongs to "my friend".
Using the Genitive Case with Adjectives
To use the genitive case with adjectives, the adjective must agree in case and gender with the noun it modifies. For example:
| Northern Kurdish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| خانە | xânê | house |
| خانەی کوردی | xânêya kûrdî | Kurdish house |
| خانەی خۆشترین | xânêya xoshterîn | the most beautiful house |
In the first example, the noun "xânê" is in the nominative case. In the second example, "-ê" is added to the end of "xânê" to form the genitive case: "Kurdish house". In the third example, the adjective "xoshterîn" agrees in case and gender with "xânêya" (genitive case of "xânê"): "the most beautiful house".
Using the Genitive Case with Pronouns
Pronouns in Northern Kurdish also have genitive forms. The genitive form of the pronoun "min" (I/me) is "mîn". The genitive form of the pronoun "te" (you) is "tîn". The genitive form of the pronoun "wî" (he/him) is "wê". The genitive form of the pronoun "wî" (she/her) is "wêya". The genitive form of the pronoun "ew" (it/they/them) is "ewiya".
For example:
| Northern Kurdish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| من | min | I/me |
| کتێبی من | kitêb-î mîn | my book |
In the second example, the genitive form of "min" ("mîn") is used with the genitive case of "kitêb" ("kitêb-î") to indicate "my book".
Using the Genitive Case with Proper Nouns
Proper nouns do not change in form in the genitive case. Instead, the suffix "-ê" is simply added to the end of the proper noun. For example:
| Northern Kurdish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| کوردستان | kûrdistan | Kurdistan |
| قوتابخانەی زانکۆ | qutabhanêya zankô | Zanko University |
In the second example, the proper noun "Zanko University" takes the genitive case with the addition of "-ê" to the end of the proper noun: "qutabhanêya zankô".
Summary
The genitive case in Northern Kurdish is used to indicate possession or relationship between two nouns. It is formed by adding the suffix "-ê" to the end of the noun or adjective. Adjectives must also agree in case and gender with the noun they modify. Pronouns and proper nouns also have their own genitive forms.
It is important to understand the genitive case to be able to form correct sentences in Northern Kurdish. Practice using the genitive case by forming your own sentences with possessive relationships between nouns.