Language/Amharic/Grammar/Adjectives
Hi Amharic learners! π
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 "α ααα΅" (meaning "type") becomes the adjective "α ααα³α΅" (meaning "various types").
-e Suffix
The -e suffix is used to form adjectives from verbs. For example, the verb "αα£" (meaning "to come") becomes the adjective "αα£α΅" (meaning "coming").
-i Suffix
The -i suffix is used to form adjectives from nouns. For example, the noun "α αα΅α΅" (meaning "month") becomes the adjective "α αα΅α³α΅" (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 "α ααα³α΅" (meaning "various types") becomes "α ααα³αΆα½" 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 "α ααα³α΅" (meaning "various types") becomes "α ααα³α΅ααα½" 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 "α ααα³α΅ α αα΅α³α΅" (meaning "various monthly types") would be written as "α αα΅α³α΅ α ααα³α΅".
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