Language/Samoan/Grammar/Adjectives
Hi Samoan learners! 😊
In today's lesson, we will be discussing adjectives in the Samoan 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 Samoan, adjectives are usually placed after the noun they modify.
Adjective Placement
In Samoan, adjectives are usually placed after the noun they modify. For example:
- Fale laiti - Small house
- Lau fanau laiti - Small children
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, when using the possessive pronoun 'sā', the adjective is placed before the noun. For example:
- Sā lau fanau laiti - His/her small children
Adjective Agreement
In Samoan, adjectives must agree with the noun they modify in terms of gender and number. For example:
- Fale laiti - Small house (singular)
- Fales laiti - Small houses (plural)
When using possessive pronouns, the adjective must agree with the gender of the possessor. For example:
- Sā lau fanau laiti - His/her small children
- Tā lau fanau laiti - Their small children
Adjective Order
In Samoan, adjectives are usually placed in the following order:
1. Size 2. Age 3. Shape 4. Color 5. Origin 6. Material 7. Qualifier
For example:
- Fale laiti mamao - Big, old, round, white, foreign, wooden house
Adjective Forms
In Samoan, adjectives can take different forms depending on the context. For example:
- Fale laiti - Small house
- Fale laititia - Very small house
- Fale laiti laiti - Really small house
Adjective Comparison
In Samoan, adjectives can be compared using the following forms:
- Positive: laiti - small
- Comparative: laititia - smaller
- Superlative: laiti laiti - smallest
For example:
- Fale laiti - Small house
- Fale laititia - Smaller house
- Fale laiti laiti - Smallest house
Conclusion
In this lesson, we have discussed adjectives in the Samoan language. We have looked at adjective placement, agreement, order, forms, and comparison.
If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
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