The Definite Article
Chapter in 30 Seconds
Transform general nouns into specific objects using simple suffixes attached directly to the end of words.
- Identify whether a noun ends in a consonant or a vowel.
- Attach the correct suffix to mean 'the' in Amharic.
- Apply the specific feminine suffix for female subjects.
Was du lernen wirst
How to say 'the' using suffixes. We explore how the definite article changes based on the final vowel of the noun.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
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1
By the end you will be able to: correctly add the suffix '-u' to nouns ending in consonants to specify them.
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2
By the end you will be able to: modify nouns ending in vowels with the '-w' suffix for definite reference.
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3
By the end you will be able to: distinguish and use the feminine article '-wa' for female humans and animals.
Tipps & Tricks (2)
Check Gender
Check Gender
Wichtige Vokabeln (7)
Real-World Preview
Pointing out an object
Identifying a pet
Review Summary
- Noun + -u
- Noun + -w
- Noun + -wa
Häufige Fehler
English speakers often try to put a separate word for 'the' before the noun. In Amharic, it must be a suffix.
If a word ends in a vowel, you cannot use '-u'. You must use '-w' to avoid a clunky vowel clash.
While 'setu' is technically understood, 'setwa' is the correct way to refer to a specific woman in Amharic.
Regeln in diesem Kapitel (3)
Next Steps
You're doing fantastic! Adding specificity is a huge leap in language fluency. Keep practicing those suffixes!
Label objects in your room with their definite Amharic names.
Listen to a simple Amharic story and count how many times you hear '-u' or '-w'.
Schnelle Übung (10)
Which is 'the chair'?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Definite Suffix for Vowel Endings
ሴት + ___ = ?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Definite Suffix for Vowel Endings
set ___
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Definite Suffix for Consonant Endings
Which is correct?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Definite Suffix for Consonant Endings
Find and fix the mistake:
the betu
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Definite Suffix for Vowel Endings
ሴት___ መጣች።
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Feminine Definite Article (-wa)
Which is correct?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Definite Suffix for Consonant Endings
ቤት + ___ = ?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Definite Suffix for Vowel Endings
Which is correct?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Definite Suffix for Vowel Endings
Find and fix the mistake:
ቤትዋ ትልቅ ነው።
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Feminine Definite Article (-wa)
Score: /10
