Language/Georgian/Grammar/Nominative-Case
As a Georgian language teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience, I believe that mastering the Georgian language requires a solid understanding of its grammar. In this lesson, we will focus on the nominative case, which is a fundamental element in Georgian grammar. We will learn how to use the nominative case to identify the subject of a sentence.
What is the Nominative Case?
The nominative case is used to indicate the subject of a sentence. In other words, it is the case used for the noun that performs the action or is described by the verb. The nominative case typically answers the question "who?" or "what?" in a sentence.
For example, in the sentence "მე ვისწავლეთ ქართული", which means "I am learning Georgian," the nominative case is used for "მე" (me), which is the subject of the sentence.
How to Form Nouns in the Nominative Case
In Georgian, the nominative case is formed by adding a specific suffix to the stem of the noun. The suffix varies depending on the gender and the ending of the noun.
Masculine and Feminine Nouns
For masculine and feminine nouns that end in a consonant, the nominative suffix is "ი". For example:
| Georgian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ქალი | kal-i | woman |
| კაცი | kats-i | man |
| წყალი | tsq'al-i | water |
For masculine and feminine nouns that end in a vowel, the nominative suffix is "ს". For example:
| Georgian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ქარი | kar-i | dog |
| ხორცი | khorc-i | pork |
| მათემატიკა | matematik-a | mathematics |
Neuter Nouns
For neuter nouns that end in a consonant, the nominative suffix is "ო". For example:
| Georgian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| სახლო | saxl-o | house |
| სასტუმრო | sastumr-o | hotel |
| წიგნი | tsign-i | book |
For neuter nouns that end in a vowel, the nominative suffix is "ა". For example:
| Georgian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| მზესავი | mzesav-i | sunflower |
| ირმისავი | irmisav-i | snowdrop |
| ფოთოლი | potol-i | squash |
Examples of the Nominative Case
Here are some examples of sentences using the nominative case:
- მე მიყვარს ქალი - Me miqvars kal-i - I love a woman.
- სად ისევ ხომ არ ხარ კაცი - Sad isev xom ar xar kats-i - Where are you still not a man?
- მე მძლავრის წყალი ვერ მიმართება - Me mdzalavris tsq'al-i ver mimarteba - Water cannot stop me.
Tips for Mastering the Nominative Case
- Practice regularly: Practice forming nouns in the nominative case until you are comfortable and confident. - Pay attention to the gender and the ending of the noun: The suffix used for the nominative case depends on the gender and ending of the noun. - Observe examples in context: Observe how nouns in the nominative case are used in different contexts and try to understand their function in sentences.
By mastering the nominative case, you will be able to identify the subject of a sentence in Georgian, which is essential for constructing meaningful and grammatically correct sentences.