Language/Kabyle/Grammar/Prepositions

◀️ Travel essentials — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Conjunctions ▶️

Kabyle → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Prepositions

Welcome to the lesson on Kabyle Prepositions! Prepositions are crucial in any language as they help us denote relationships between different elements in a sentence. Understanding how to use them correctly is essential for building coherent and meaningful sentences in Kabyle.

In this lesson, we will explore the different forms of prepositions in Kabyle, how they function within sentences, and provide numerous examples to illustrate their use. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to identify and utilize prepositions effectively in your conversations and writings in Kabyle.

The Importance of Prepositions

Prepositions in Kabyle, much like in English, indicate relations of location, direction, time, and manner. They help us answer questions such as "where?", "when?", and "how?". For beginners, mastering prepositions will significantly enhance your ability to express thoughts clearly and understand the nuances of the language.

Structure of the Lesson

1. Types of Prepositions

• Simple Prepositions

• Compound Prepositions

2. Usage of Prepositions in Sentences

• Prepositions of Place

• Prepositions of Time

• Prepositions of Direction

3. Examples of Prepositions

4. Exercises and Practice Scenarios

Types of Prepositions

Simple Prepositions

Simple prepositions are single words that convey a relationship. In Kabyle, common simple prepositions include:

• d (in)

• s (on)

• a (to)

• i (from)

• ur (without)

Compound Prepositions

Compound prepositions consist of two or more words. They often provide a clearer context. Examples include:

• d imed (in front of)

• a lqim (to the back of)

• i wul (from the side of)

Usage of Prepositions in Sentences

Prepositions of Place

Prepositions of place indicate the position of something. Here are some commonly used prepositions of place in Kabyle:

Kabyle	Pronunciation	English
d	/d/	in
s	/s/	on
i	/i/	from
a	/a/	to
ur	/ur/	without

Examples:

1. D lḥeqq – In the house

2. S taddart – On the table

3. I tmeddurt – From the village

4. A lḥeqq – To the house

5. Ur iḥmim – Without a doubt

Prepositions of Time

Prepositions of time help express when something occurs. Common prepositions of time include:

Kabyle	Pronunciation	English
deg	/deg/	at
gher	/ɡher/	after
sidi	/sidi/	before
idir	/idir/	during
issin	/issin/	since

Examples:

1. Deg yennayer – At January

2. Gher 3asri – After noon

3. Sidi tazmert – Before the evening

4. Idir amek – During the day

5. Issin yennayer – Since January

Prepositions of Direction

Prepositions of direction indicate movement towards a place. Some examples are:

Kabyle	Pronunciation	English
a	/a/	to
i	/i/	from
gher	/ɡher/	toward
d	/d/	into
s	/s/	out of

Examples:

1. A lḥeqq – To the house

2. I tmeddurt – From the village

3. Gher lḥeqq – Toward the house

4. D lḥeqq – Into the house

5. S lḥeqq – Out of the house

Examples of Prepositions

Let's put together a comprehensive list of examples to solidify your understanding of Kabyle prepositions.

Kabyle	Pronunciation	English
D azur	/d azur/	In the sky
S tafat	/s tafat/	On the road
I tazmert	/i tazmert/	From the evening
A wul	/a wul/	To the side
Ur tɣar	/ur tɣar/	Without trouble
Deg tazmert	/deg tazmert/	At evening
Gher iḍrimen	/ɡher iḍrimen/	After the children
Sidi yura	/sidi yura/	Before noon
I ddu	/i ddu/	From the house
A tmeddurt	/a tmeddurt/	To the village
Gher lqim	/ɡher lqim/	Toward the back
D asel	/d asel/	In the garden
S azur	/s azur/	On the hill
I tazrout	/i tazrout/	From the mountain
A lmeh	/a lmeh/	To the market
Ur iḥray	/ur iḥray/	Without fear
Deg asel	/deg asel/	At the garden
Gher lḥeqq	/ɡher lḥeqq/	After the house
Sidi tmeddurt	/sidi tmeddurt/	Before the village
I tazount	/i tazount/	From the field

Exercises and Practice Scenarios

To ensure you have grasped the concepts covered, here are some exercises. Try to fill in the blanks using the appropriate prepositions.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. I am sitting __ the chair. (d/s)

2. He is coming __ the house. (i/a)

3. The book is __ the table. (s/d)

4. We will meet __ noon. (deg/sidi)

5. She walked __ the market. (a/gher)

Exercise 2: Translate the Sentences

1. He is from the village. (Translate to Kabyle)

2. She is going to the garden. (Translate to Kabyle)

3. The cat is on the roof. (Translate to Kabyle)

4. They arrived at evening. (Translate to Kabyle)

5. We left without delay. (Translate to Kabyle)

Exercise 3: Match the Preposition

Match the Kabyle preposition to its English equivalent:

1. d

2. s

3. i

4. a

5. ur

a. at

b. on

c. from

d. to

e. without

Exercise 4: Create Your Sentences

Write five sentences using different prepositions studied in this lesson.

Solutions to Exercise 1

1. I am sitting on the chair. (s)

2. He is coming from the house. (i)

3. The book is on the table. (s)

4. We will meet at noon. (deg)

5. She walked to the market. (a)

Solutions to Exercise 2

1. Iḥu ad iḥuq ḍer tmeddurt.

2. Tella ad itta ḍer asel.

3. Iḍu d ḍer lqim.

4. Yewwi ad ighin deg tazmert.

5. Nqa ad tfaḥ ur iḥmim.

Solutions to Exercise 3

1 - c: d (from)

2 - b: s (on)

3 - c: i (from)

4 - d: a (to)

5 - e: ur (without)

Solutions to Exercise 4

(Your sentences may vary. Ensure they use the correct prepositions.)

Now that you have completed this lesson, remember that practice is key to mastering prepositions in Kabyle. Use them in your daily conversations, and soon you'll find them becoming second nature. Keep exploring the beauty of the Kabyle language!

Table of Contents - Kabyle Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Kabyle

• Alphabet and pronunciation
• Basic sentence structure

  ---

Greetings and introductions

• Common greetings
• Introducing yourself

  ---

Nouns and pronouns

• Nouns and gender
• Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and time

• Numbers
• Telling time

  ---

Verbs and tenses

• Regular verbs
• Irregular verbs
• Present tense
• Past tense
• Future tense

  ---

Family and relationships

• Family members
• Relationships

  ---

Adjectives and adverbs

• Adjectives
• Adverbs

  ---

Travel and transportation

• Modes of transportation
• Travel essentials

  ---

Prepositions and conjunctions

• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

  ---

Food and dining

• Food items
• Dining out

  ---

Kabyle customs and traditions

• Holidays and celebrations
• Traditional clothing

  ---

Kabyle music and dance

• Traditional music
• Traditional dance

Sources

• Kabyle grammar - Wikipedia

Other Lessons

• Noun Gender
• Adjectives
• Adverbs
• Basic sentence structure
• How to Use Be
• Exam 2 Kabyle Noun
• Conditional Mood
• Future tense
• Negation
• Regular verbs

◀️ Travel essentials — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Conjunctions ▶️