Difference between revisions of "Central Kurdish/Grammar"

From LING073
Jump to: navigation, search
(Attribution)
(Plural Nouns)
 
(36 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 17: Line 17:
 
Sorani verbs can be transitive {{tag|tv}} and intransitive {{tag|iv}}. All verbs have an infinitive form ending in 'ن'. As opposed to most languages, Kurdish has only 3 tenses: [https://wikis.swarthmore.edu/ling073/Central_Kurdish/Grammar#Past_Tense past] {{tag|past}} and [https://wikis.swarthmore.edu/ling073/Central_Kurdish/Grammar#Present_.26_Future non-past] {{tag|non-past}}. There are also [https://wikis.swarthmore.edu/ling073/Central_Kurdish/Grammar#Imperative imperative verbs] {{tag|imp}} for the 2nd person singular and plural.
 
Sorani verbs can be transitive {{tag|tv}} and intransitive {{tag|iv}}. All verbs have an infinitive form ending in 'ن'. As opposed to most languages, Kurdish has only 3 tenses: [https://wikis.swarthmore.edu/ling073/Central_Kurdish/Grammar#Past_Tense past] {{tag|past}} and [https://wikis.swarthmore.edu/ling073/Central_Kurdish/Grammar#Present_.26_Future non-past] {{tag|non-past}}. There are also [https://wikis.swarthmore.edu/ling073/Central_Kurdish/Grammar#Imperative imperative verbs] {{tag|imp}} for the 2nd person singular and plural.
  
* {{morphTest|هاتن{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|هاتن}} (to come)
+
* {{morphTest|هاتن{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|inf}}|هاتن}} (to come)
* {{morphTest|چوون{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|چوون}} (to go)
+
* {{morphTest|چوون{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|inf}}|چوون}} (to go)
  
* {{morphTest|خواردن{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}|خواردن}} (to eat)
+
* {{morphTest|خواردن{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|inf}}|خواردن}} (to eat)
* {{morphTest|هێنان{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}|هێنان}} (to bring)
+
* {{morphTest|هێنان{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|inf}}|هێنان}} (to bring)
  
 
=== Adjectives ===
 
=== Adjectives ===
Line 33: Line 33:
 
=== Pronouns ===
 
=== Pronouns ===
  
There are three sets of six pronouns {{tag|pr}} in Sorani, which are listed below. The first set are subject pronouns akin to the English "I/we/he/she/it/they/them." The second and third sets are personal suffixes and are added to verbs or direct objects (there are entire sections dedicated to the contexts in which they are used below). Note that there is some overlap between pronouns (e.g. in the third set, both second and third person singulars are the same letter), and there is only one third person singular personal suffix (there is no {{tag|s_p3sg}} in the second set.
+
Sorani Kurdish uses the same pronouns for the subject and object cases:
  
Set 1:
+
* {{morphTest|من{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}|من}}
* {{morphTest|من{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p1sg}}|من}}
+
* {{morphTest|ئێمە{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|pl}}|ئێمە}}
* {{morphTest|ئێمە{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p1pl}}|ئێمە}}
+
* {{morphTest|تۆ{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}|تۆ}}
* {{morphTest|تۆ{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p2sg}}|تۆ}}
+
* {{morphTest|ئێوە{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|pl}}|ئێوە}}
* {{morphTest|ئێوە{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p2pl}}|ئێوە}}
+
* {{morphTest|ئەو{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}|ئەو}}
* {{morphTest|ئەو{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p3sg}}|ئەوان}}
+
* {{morphTest|ئەوان{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}|ئەوان}}
* {{morphTest|ئەوان{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p3pl}}|ئەوان}}
 
  
Set 2:
+
There are two other "sets" of pronouns in Sorani that are attached to the end of verbs and objects for iv/tv verbs (respectively). This will be discussed in detail in the outline of verb tenses.
* {{morphTest|من{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p1sg}}|م}}
 
* {{morphTest|ئێمە{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p1pl}}|مان}}
 
* {{morphTest|تۆ{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p2sg}}|ت}}
 
* {{morphTest|ئێوە{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p2pl}}|تان}}
 
* {{morphTest|ئەو{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p3sg}}|ی}}
 
* {{morphTest|ئەوان{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p3pl}}|یان}}
 
 
 
Set 3:
 
* {{morphTest|من{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p1sg}}|م}}
 
* {{morphTest|ئێمە{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p1pl}}|ین}}
 
* {{morphTest|تۆ{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p2sg}}|یت}}
 
* {{morphTest|ئێوە{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p2pl}}|ن}}
 
* {{morphTest|ئەوان{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p3pl}}|ن}}
 
 
 
There are also demonstrative pronouns which are cover in the penultimate grammar point.
 
  
 
=== Adverbs ===
 
=== Adverbs ===
Line 70: Line 54:
 
* {{morphTest|لە{{tag|pr}}|لە}} (of/in)
 
* {{morphTest|لە{{tag|pr}}|لە}} (of/in)
 
* {{morphTest|بۆ{{tag|pr}}|بۆ}} (to/for)
 
* {{morphTest|بۆ{{tag|pr}}|بۆ}} (to/for)
 +
 +
The izafa 'ی' is covered as a grammar point.
  
 
=== Conjunctions ===
 
=== Conjunctions ===
  
* {{morphTest|و{{tag|cconj}}|و}} (and)
+
* {{morphTest|و{{tag|conjcoo}}|و}} (and)
* {{morphTest|یان{{tag|cconj}}|یان}} (or)
+
* {{morphTest|یان{{tag|conjcoo}}|یان}} (or)
* {{morphTest|بەڵام{{tag|cconj}}|بەڵام}} (but)
+
* {{morphTest|بەڵام{{tag|conjcoo}}|بەڵام}} (but)
  
 
== Definiteness ==
 
== Definiteness ==
Line 102: Line 88:
 
* {{morphTest|پیاو{{tag|n}}{{tag|pl}}|پیاوان}} (men)
 
* {{morphTest|پیاو{{tag|n}}{{tag|pl}}|پیاوان}} (men)
 
* {{morphTest|سه‌گ{{tag|n}}{{tag|pl}}|سەگان}} (dogs)
 
* {{morphTest|سه‌گ{{tag|n}}{{tag|pl}}|سەگان}} (dogs)
* {{morphTest|لاپه‌ڕه‌{{tag|n}}{{tag|pl}}|لاپەڕان}} (pages)
+
* {{morphTest|لاپه‌ڕه‌{{tag|n}}{{tag|pl}}|لاپەڕەیان}} (pages)
* {{morphTest|نامە{{tag|n}}{{tag|pl}}|نامان}} (letters)
+
* {{morphTest|نامە{{tag|n}}{{tag|pl}}|نامەیان}} (letters)
  
 
=== Definite Plurals ===
 
=== Definite Plurals ===
Line 138: Line 124:
 
The simple past form of a transitive verb is obtained by removing the 'ن' suffix from its infinitive and adding unstressed personal suffixes to the end of ''the verb itself'' (this is an important point). The pronouns from "Set 3" identified in [https://wikis.swarthmore.edu/ling073/index.php?title=Central_Kurdish/Grammar&#Pronouns Pronouns] is used for this tense.
 
The simple past form of a transitive verb is obtained by removing the 'ن' suffix from its infinitive and adding unstressed personal suffixes to the end of ''the verb itself'' (this is an important point). The pronouns from "Set 3" identified in [https://wikis.swarthmore.edu/ling073/index.php?title=Central_Kurdish/Grammar&#Pronouns Pronouns] is used for this tense.
  
=== To Eat ===
+
=== (Water) ===
  
* {{morphTest|من{{tag|pr}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p1sg}}|م}} plus {{morphTest|خواردن{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|past}}|خوارد}} (I ate)
+
* {{morphTest|ئاو{{tag|n}}{{tag|obj}}+من{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}|ئاوم}}
* {{morphTest|ئێمە{{tag|pr}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p1pl}}|مان}} plus {{morphTest|خواردن{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|past}}|خوارد}} (we ate)
+
* {{morphTest|ئاو{{tag|n}}{{tag|obj}}+ئێمە{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|pl}}|ئاومان}}
* {{morphTest|تۆ{{tag|pr}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p2sg}}|ت}} plus {{morphTest|خواردن{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|past}}|خوارد}} (you ate)
+
* {{morphTest|ئاو{{tag|n}}{{tag|obj}}+تۆ{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}|ئاوت}}
* {{morphTest|ئێوە{{tag|pr}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p2pl}}|تان}} plus {{morphTest|خواردن{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|past}}|خوارد}} (you(pl.) ate)
+
* {{morphTest|ئاو{{tag|n}}{{tag|obj}}+ئێوە{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|pl}}|ئاوتان}}
* {{morphTest|ئەو{{tag|pr}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p3sg}}|ی}} plus {{morphTest|خواردن{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|past}}|خوارد}} (he/she/it ate)
+
* {{morphTest|ئاو{{tag|n}}{{tag|obj}}+ئەو{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}|ئاوی}}
* {{morphTest|ئەوان{{tag|pr}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p3pl}}|یان}} plus {{morphTest|خواردن{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|past}}|خوارد}} (they ate)
+
* {{morphTest|ئاو{{tag|n}}{{tag|obj}}+ئەوان{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}|ئاویان}}
  
=== To Bring ===
+
=== (Food) ===
  
* {{morphTest|من{{tag|pr}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p1sg}}|م}} plus {{morphTest|هێنان{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|past}}|هێنام}} (I brought)
+
* {{morphTest|نان{{tag|n}}{{tag|obj}}+من{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}|نانم}}
* {{morphTest|ئێمە{{tag|pr}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p1pl}}|مان}} plus {{morphTest|هێنان{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|past}}|هێنامان}} (we brought)
+
* {{morphTest|نان{{tag|n}}{{tag|obj}}+ئێمە{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|pl}}|نانمان}}
* {{morphTest|تۆ{{tag|pr}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p2sg}}|ت}} plus {{morphTest|هێنان{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|past}}|هێنات}} (you brought)
+
* {{morphTest|نان{{tag|n}}{{tag|obj}}+تۆ{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}|نانت}}
* {{morphTest|ئێوە{{tag|pr}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p2pl}}|تان}} plus {{morphTest|هێنان{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|past}}|هێناتان}} (you(pl.) brought)
+
* {{morphTest|نان{{tag|n}}{{tag|obj}}+ئێوە{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|pl}}|نانتان}
* {{morphTest|ئەو{{tag|pr}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p3sg}}|ی}} plus {{morphTest|هێنان{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|past}}|هێنای}} (he/she/it brought)
+
* {{morphTest|نان{{tag|n}}{{tag|obj}}+ئەو{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}|نانی}}
* {{morphTest|ئەوان{{tag|pr}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|s_p3pl}}|یان}} plus {{morphTest|هێنان{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|past}}|هێنایان}} (they brought)
+
* {{morphTest|نان{{tag|n}}{{tag|obj}}+ئەوان{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}|نانیان}}
  
 
(if I use '+' between the two it flips the RTL script for some odd markup reason)
 
(if I use '+' between the two it flips the RTL script for some odd markup reason)
Line 164: Line 150:
 
=== To Go ===
 
=== To Go ===
  
* {{morphTest|چوون{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|past}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}|دەچم}} (I am going)
+
* {{morphTest|چوون{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|npast}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}|دەچم}} (I am going)
* {{morphTest|چوون{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|past}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|pl}}|دەچین}} (we are going)
+
* {{morphTest|چوون{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|npast}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|pl}}|دەچین}} (we are going)
* {{morphTest|چوون{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|past}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}|دەچیت}} (you are going)
+
* {{morphTest|چوون{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|npast}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}|دەچیت}} (you are going)
* {{morphTest|چوون{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|past}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|pl}}|دەچن}} (you(pl.) are going)
+
* {{morphTest|چوون{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|npast}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|pl}}|دەچن}} (you(pl.) are going)
* {{morphTest|چوون{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|past}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}|دەچێت}} (he/she/it is going)
+
* {{morphTest|چوون{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|npast}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}|دەچێت}} (he/she/it is going)
* {{morphTest|چوون{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|past}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}|دەچن}} (they are going)
+
* {{morphTest|چوون{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|npast}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}|دەچن}} (they are going)
  
 
== Imperative ==
 
== Imperative ==
Line 175: Line 161:
 
The imperative form is derived by taking the present stem of the verb and prefixing with 'ب'. For the second person plural, there should also be 'ن'.
 
The imperative form is derived by taking the present stem of the verb and prefixing with 'ب'. For the second person plural, there should also be 'ن'.
  
* {{morphTest|خواردن{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|imp}}|بخۆ}} (eat)
+
=== Singular Imperative ===
* {{morphTest|چوون{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|imp}}|بچۆ}} (go)
+
 
* {{morphTest|هاتن{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|imp}}|وەرە}} (come) *this is an irregular form
+
* {{morphTest|خواردن{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|imp}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}|بخۆ}} (eat)
* {{morphTest|هێنان{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|imp}}|بهێنە}} (bring)
+
* {{morphTest|چوون{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|imp}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}|بچۆ}} (go)
 +
* {{morphTest|هاتن{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|imp}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}|وەرە}} (come) *this is an irregular form
 +
* {{morphTest|هێنان{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|imp}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}|بهێنە}} (bring)
 +
 
 +
=== Plural Imperative ===
 +
 
 +
* {{morphTest|خواردن{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|imp}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|pl}}|بخۆن}} (eat)
 +
* {{morphTest|چوون{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|imp}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|pl}}|بچن}} (go)
 +
* {{morphTest|هاتن{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|imp}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|pl}}|وەرن}} (come) *this is an irregular form
 +
* {{morphTest|هێنان{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|imp}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|pl}}|بهێنن}} (bring)
  
 
== Negatives ==
 
== Negatives ==
  
The following negative forms are only for the 3rd-person singular conjugation  
+
The following negative forms are only for the 3rd-person singular conjugation, but the rules for past/present tense conjugation apply the same here, so other forms can also be inferred.
  
 
=== Past Verbs ===
 
=== Past Verbs ===
Line 197: Line 192:
 
For present verbs, replace the prefix "دە" with "نا".
 
For present verbs, replace the prefix "دە" with "نا".
  
* {{morphTest|خواردن{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|pres}}{{tag|neg}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|p3}}|ناخوات}} (is not eating)
+
* {{morphTest|خواردن{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|npast}}{{tag|neg}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|p3}}|ناخوات}} (is not eating)
* {{morphTest|چوون{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|pres}}{{tag|neg}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|p3}}|ناچێت}} (is not going)
+
* {{morphTest|چوون{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|npast}}{{tag|neg}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|p3}}|ناچێت}} (is not going)
* {{morphTest|هاتن{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|pres}}{{tag|neg}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|p3}}|نایەت}} (is not coming) *this is an irregular form
+
* {{morphTest|هاتن{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}{{tag|npast}}{{tag|neg}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|p3}}|نایەت}} (is not coming) *this is an irregular form
* {{morphTest|هێنان{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|pres}}{{tag|neg}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|p3}}|ناهێنێت}} (is not bringing)
+
* {{morphTest|هێنان{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|npast}}{{tag|neg}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|p3}}|ناهێنێت}} (is not bringing)
  
 
=== Imperative Verbs ===
 
=== Imperative Verbs ===
  
To negate an imperative verb, replace the prefix 'ب' with "مە". For transitive verbs, add 'ی' after the verb stem.
+
To negate an imperative verb, replace the prefix 'ب' with "مە". For transitive verbs, add 'ی' just before the verb stem.
  
 
* {{morphTest|خواردن{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|imp}}{{tag|neg}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|p3}}|مەیخۆ}} (don't eat it)
 
* {{morphTest|خواردن{{tag|v}}{{tag|tv}}{{tag|imp}}{{tag|neg}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|p3}}|مەیخۆ}} (don't eat it)
Line 231: Line 226:
 
The demonstrative pronouns "ئەمە، ئەوە، ئەمانە، ئەوانە" (this, that, these, those) can function as words by themselves, but they can also envelop the words they modify as circumfixes. Note that the definite marker is no longer required when using a demonstrative pronoun.
 
The demonstrative pronouns "ئەمە، ئەوە، ئەمانە، ئەوانە" (this, that, these, those) can function as words by themselves, but they can also envelop the words they modify as circumfixes. Note that the definite marker is no longer required when using a demonstrative pronoun.
  
* {{morphTest|ئەمە{{tag|pr}}{{tag|dem}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|prx}}|ئەم...ە}} plus {{morphTest|سەگ{{tag|n}}{{tag|def}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|prx}}|سەگ}} (this dog) "ئەم سەگە"
+
* {{morphTest|سەگ{{tag|n}}+ئەمە{{tag|det}}{{tag|dem}}{{tag|prx}}{{tag|sg}}|ئەم سەگە}}
* {{morphTest|ئەوە{{tag|pr}}{{tag|dem}}{{tag|dst}}|ئەو...ە}} plus {{morphTest|سەگ{{tag|n}}{{tag|def}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|prx}}|سەگ}} (that dog) "ئەو سەگە"
+
* {{morphTest|سەگ{{tag|n}}+ئەوە{{tag|det}}{{tag|dem}}{{tag|dst}}{{tag|sg}}|ئەو سەگە}}
* {{morphTest|ئەوانە{{tag|pr}}{{tag|dem}}{{tag|dst}}|ئەو...ە}} plus {{morphTest|سەگ{{tag|n}}{{tag|def}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|prx}}|سەگان}} (those dogs) "ئەو سەگانە"
+
* {{morphTest|سەگ{{tag|n}}+ئەمانە{{tag|det}}{{tag|dem}}{{tag|prx}}{{tag|pl}}|ئەم سەگانە}}
 +
* {{morphTest|سەگ{{tag|n}}+ئەوانە{{tag|det}}{{tag|dem}}{{tag|dst}}{{tag|pl}}|ئەو سەگانە}}
  
 
== Attribution ==
 
== Attribution ==
  
The izafa enclitic 'ی' is an attributive adjective {{tag|adj}}{{tag|attr}} and it serves to connect nouns to their descriptor adjectives, as well as nouns to things they possess.
+
The izafa enclitic 'ی' is a preposition {{tag|pr}} and it serves to connect nouns to other nouns (examples 1-3 below), as well as to descriptor adjectives (examples 4-5 below).
  
* پەڕ{{tag|n}} + ی{{tag|adj}}{{tag|attr}} + باڵندە{{tag|n}} (bird's feathers)
+
* {{morphTest|پەڕ{{tag|n}}+ی{{tag|pr}}+باڵندەکان{{tag|n}}{{tag|def}}{{tag|pl}}|پەڕی باڵندەکان}} (the feathers of the birds)
* سەر{{tag|n}} + ی{{tag|adj}}{{tag|attr}} + مایرێک{{tag|n}} (snake's head)
+
* {{morphTest|سەر{{tag|n}}+ی{{tag|pr}}+مارێک{{tag|n}}{{tag|ind}}{{tag|sg}}|سەری مارێک}} (the head of a snake)
* قاچەکان{{tag|n}} + ی{{tag|adj}}{{tag|attr}} + من{{tag|prn}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|p1}} (my legs)
+
* {{morphTest|قاچەکان{{tag|n}}{{tag|def}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|pr}}+من{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}|قاچەکانی من}} (my legs; literally "the legs of me")
  
 +
* {{morphTest|سەگ{{tag|n}}+ئەمانە{{tag|det}}{{tag|dem}}{{tag|dst}}{{tag|pl}}|ئەو سەگە}}
 
[[Category: sp21_GrammarDocumentation]] [[Category: Central Kurdish]]
 
[[Category: sp21_GrammarDocumentation]] [[Category: Central Kurdish]]

Latest revision as of 17:15, 20 March 2021

This page is a brief documentation of Sorani Kurdish grammar. It includes a part of speech classification and ten important morphological grammar points. W. M. Thackston's Sorani Kurdish: A Reference Grammar was the main source used and most examples come directly from there; other sources are listed here.

Parts of Speech

Nouns

Sorani nouns <n> come with markers to indicate plurality <sg> <pl> and/or definiteness <ind> <def>. A noun's lemma without any suffixes gives its generic meaning (e.g. "coffee is dark", "tourists are friendly"). Sorani does not have grammatical gender or animacy; Apertium tags corresponding to these features will not be used.

  • پیاو<n> ↔ پیاو (man)
  • سه‌گ<n> ↔ سه‌گ (dog)
  • رۆژ<n> ↔ رۆژ (day)
  • نامە<n> ↔ نامە (letter)
  • دەرگا<n> ↔ دەرگا (door)

Verbs

Sorani verbs can be transitive <tv> and intransitive <iv>. All verbs have an infinitive form ending in 'ن'. As opposed to most languages, Kurdish has only 3 tenses: past <past> and non-past <non-past>. There are also imperative verbs <imp> for the 2nd person singular and plural.

  • هاتن<v><iv><inf> ↔ هاتن (to come)
  • چوون<v><iv><inf> ↔ چوون (to go)
  • خواردن<v><tv><inf> ↔ خواردن (to eat)
  • هێنان<v><tv><inf> ↔ هێنان (to bring)

Adjectives

Sorani adjectives <adj> come in many shapes and forms. Different forms of functional morphology can be used for comparatives and superlatives, just like in English.

  • گەورە<adj> ↔ گەورە (large)
  • گەرم<adj> ↔ گەرم (warm)
  • چاک<adj> ↔ چاک (good)

Pronouns

Sorani Kurdish uses the same pronouns for the subject and object cases:

  • من<prn><pers><p1><sg> ↔ من
  • ئێمە<prn><pers><p1><pl> ↔ ئێمە
  • تۆ<prn><pers><p2><sg> ↔ تۆ
  • ئێوە<prn><pers><p2><pl> ↔ ئێوە
  • ئەو<prn><pers><p3><sg> ↔ ئەو
  • ئەوان<prn><pers><p3><pl> ↔ ئەوان

There are two other "sets" of pronouns in Sorani that are attached to the end of verbs and objects for iv/tv verbs (respectively). This will be discussed in detail in the outline of verb tenses.

Adverbs

  • هەندێک جار<adv> ↔ هەندێک جار (sometimes)
  • سبەینێ<adv> ↔ سبەینێ (tomorrow)

Prepositions

  • بە<pr> ↔ بە (with)
  • لە<pr> ↔ لە (of/in)
  • بۆ<pr> ↔ بۆ (to/for)

The izafa 'ی' is covered as a grammar point.

Conjunctions

  • و<conjcoo> ↔ و (and)
  • یان<conjcoo> ↔ یان (or)
  • بەڵام<conjcoo> ↔ بەڵام (but)

Definiteness

Thackston defines Sorani nouns as having one of three states: absolute, indefinite, and definite. The absolute state of a noun is its lemma form and has a generic meaning, e.g. coffee is dark; Americans are patriotic. The indefinite state is achieved by adding the "ێك" suffix to the noun's lemma. For nouns ending with a vowel sound, the "یه‌ك" ending is used instead. The definite state is achieved using the "ه‌كه‌" suffix, and for nouns ending in 'ە' or 'ا', only کە is added to avoid double vowel occurrences.

Indefinite

  • پیاو<n><ind><sg> ↔ پیاوێک (a man)
  • سه‌گ<n><ind><sg> ↔ سه‌گێک (a dog)
  • لاپه‌ڕه‌<n><ind><sg> ↔ لاپه‌ڕه‌یه‌ك (a page)
  • نامە<n><ind><sg> ↔ نامەیەک (a letter)

Definite

  • پیاو<n><def><sg> ↔ پیاوه‌كه‌ (the man)
  • سه‌گ<n><def><sg> ↔ سه‌گه‌كه‌ (the dog)
  • لاپه‌ڕه‌<n><def><sg> ↔ لاپەڕەکە (the page)
  • نامە<n><def><sg> ↔ نامەکە (the letter)

Plural Nouns

Sorani nouns are pluralized using the "ان" suffix. Nouns with 'ا' endings get "یان" instead, while nouns with 'ە' endings omit the 'ە' and add "ان". It is also possible to make definite nouns plural this way, by changing the "ەکە" to "ەکان" (and similarly omitting the 'ە' as necessary for vowel endings).

Lemma Plurals

  • پیاو<n><pl> ↔ پیاوان (men)
  • سه‌گ<n><pl> ↔ سەگان (dogs)
  • لاپه‌ڕه‌<n><pl> ↔ لاپەڕەیان (pages)
  • نامە<n><pl> ↔ نامەیان (letters)

Definite Plurals

  • پیاو<n><def><pl> ↔ پیاوەکان (the men)
  • سه‌گ<n><def><pl> ↔ سەگەکان (the dogs)
  • لاپەڕە<n><def><pl> ↔ لاپەڕەکان (the pages)
  • نامە<n><def><pl> ↔ نامەکان (the letters)

Simple Past (Intransitive)

The simple past form of an intransitive verb is obtained by removing the 'ن' suffix from its infinitive and adding unstressed personal suffixes to the end of the verb itself (this is an important point). The suffixes from "Set 3" identified in Pronouns is used for this tense. Note that because there is no "Set 3" personal suffix for 3rd person singular, the 3rd person singular conjugation is just the infinitive without its final letter.

To Come

  • هاتن<v><iv><past><p1><sg> ↔ هاتم (I came)
  • هاتن<v><iv><past><p1><pl> ↔ هاتین (we came)
  • هاتن<v><iv><past><p2><sg> ↔ هاتیت (you came)
  • هاتن<v><iv><past><p2><pl> ↔ هاتن (you(pl.) came)
  • هاتن<v><iv><past><p3><sg> ↔ هات (he/she/it came)
  • هاتن<v><iv><past><p3><pl> ↔ هاتن (they came)

To Go

  • چوون<v><iv><past><p1><sg> ↔ چووم (I came)
  • چوون<v><iv><past><p1><pl> ↔ چووین (we came)
  • چوون<v><iv><past><p2><sg> ↔ چوویت (you came)
  • چوون<v><iv><past><p2><pl> ↔ چوون (you(pl.) came)
  • چوون<v><iv><past><p3><sg> ↔ چوو (he/she/it came)
  • چوون<v><iv><past><p3><pl> ↔ چوون (they came)

Simple Past (Transitive)

The simple past form of a transitive verb is obtained by removing the 'ن' suffix from its infinitive and adding unstressed personal suffixes to the end of the verb itself (this is an important point). The pronouns from "Set 3" identified in Pronouns is used for this tense.

(Water)

  • ئاو<n><obj>+من<prn><pers><p1><sg> ↔ ئاوم
  • ئاو<n><obj>+ئێمە<prn><pers><p1><pl> ↔ ئاومان
  • ئاو<n><obj>+تۆ<prn><pers><p2><sg> ↔ ئاوت
  • ئاو<n><obj>+ئێوە<prn><pers><p2><pl> ↔ ئاوتان
  • ئاو<n><obj>+ئەو<prn><pers><p3><sg> ↔ ئاوی
  • ئاو<n><obj>+ئەوان<prn><pers><p3><pl> ↔ ئاویان

(Food)

  • نان<n><obj>+من<prn><pers><p1><sg> ↔ نانم
  • نان<n><obj>+ئێمە<prn><pers><p1><pl> ↔ نانمان
  • نان<n><obj>+تۆ<prn><pers><p2><sg> ↔ نانت
  • {{morphTest|نان<n><obj>+ئێوە<prn><pers><p2><pl>|نانتان}
  • نان<n><obj>+ئەو<prn><pers><p3><sg> ↔ نانی
  • نان<n><obj>+ئەوان<prn><pers><p3><pl> ↔ نانیان

(if I use '+' between the two it flips the RTL script for some odd markup reason)

Present & Future

Sorani verbs in the non-past tense are obtained by adding the root of the verb (usually the first one or two letters) to the "set 2" personal suffixes for both the transitive and intransitive case. They also go onto the end of the verb in both cases, unlike the past tense case.

To Go

  • چوون<v><iv><npast><p1><sg> ↔ دەچم (I am going)
  • چوون<v><iv><npast><p1><pl> ↔ دەچین (we are going)
  • چوون<v><iv><npast><p2><sg> ↔ دەچیت (you are going)
  • چوون<v><iv><npast><p2><pl> ↔ دەچن (you(pl.) are going)
  • چوون<v><iv><npast><p3><sg> ↔ دەچێت (he/she/it is going)
  • چوون<v><iv><npast><p3><pl> ↔ دەچن (they are going)

Imperative

The imperative form is derived by taking the present stem of the verb and prefixing with 'ب'. For the second person plural, there should also be 'ن'.

Singular Imperative

  • خواردن<v><tv><imp><p2><sg> ↔ بخۆ (eat)
  • چوون<v><iv><imp><p2><sg> ↔ بچۆ (go)
  • هاتن<v><iv><imp><p2><sg> ↔ وەرە (come) *this is an irregular form
  • هێنان<v><tv><imp><p2><sg> ↔ بهێنە (bring)

Plural Imperative

  • خواردن<v><tv><imp><p2><pl> ↔ بخۆن (eat)
  • چوون<v><iv><imp><p2><pl> ↔ بچن (go)
  • هاتن<v><iv><imp><p2><pl> ↔ وەرن (come) *this is an irregular form
  • هێنان<v><tv><imp><p2><pl> ↔ بهێنن (bring)

Negatives

The following negative forms are only for the 3rd-person singular conjugation, but the rules for past/present tense conjugation apply the same here, so other forms can also be inferred.

Past Verbs

To negate an past tense verb, simply prefix with "نە".

  • خواردن<v><tv><past><neg><sg><p3> ↔ نەکرد (did not eat)
  • چوون<v><iv><past><neg><sg><p3> ↔ نەچوو (did not go)
  • هاتن<v><iv><past><neg><sg><p3> ↔ نەهات (did not come) *this is an irregular form
  • هێنان<v><tv><past><neg><sg><p3> ↔ نەهێنا (did not bring)

Present Verbs

For present verbs, replace the prefix "دە" with "نا".

  • خواردن<v><tv><npast><neg><sg><p3> ↔ ناخوات (is not eating)
  • چوون<v><iv><npast><neg><sg><p3> ↔ ناچێت (is not going)
  • هاتن<v><iv><npast><neg><sg><p3> ↔ نایەت (is not coming) *this is an irregular form
  • هێنان<v><tv><npast><neg><sg><p3> ↔ ناهێنێت (is not bringing)

Imperative Verbs

To negate an imperative verb, replace the prefix 'ب' with "مە". For transitive verbs, add 'ی' just before the verb stem.

  • خواردن<v><tv><imp><neg><sg><p3> ↔ مەیخۆ (don't eat it)
  • چوون<v><iv><imp><neg><sg><p3> ↔ مەچۆ (don't go)
  • هاتن<v><iv><imp><neg><sg><p3> ↔ مەیە (don't come) *this is an irregular form
  • هێنان<v><tv><imp><neg><sg><p3> ↔ مەیهێنە (don't bring it)

Comparative & Superlative

Comparative adjectives are always formed by adding the "تر" suffix. The superlative is formed by adding "ترین".

Comparative Forms

  • گەورە<adj><comp> ↔ گەورەتر (larger)
  • گەرم<adj><comp> ↔ گەرمتر (warmer)
  • چاک<adj><comp> ↔ چاکتر (better)

Superlative Forms

  • گەورە<adj><sup> ↔ گەورەترین (largest)
  • گەرم<adj><sup> ↔ گەرمترین (warmest)
  • چاک<adj><sup> ↔ چاکترین (best)

Demonstratives

The demonstrative pronouns "ئەمە، ئەوە، ئەمانە، ئەوانە" (this, that, these, those) can function as words by themselves, but they can also envelop the words they modify as circumfixes. Note that the definite marker is no longer required when using a demonstrative pronoun.

  • سەگ<n>+ئەمە<det><dem><prx><sg> ↔ ئەم سەگە
  • سەگ<n>+ئەوە<det><dem><dst><sg> ↔ ئەو سەگە
  • سەگ<n>+ئەمانە<det><dem><prx><pl> ↔ ئەم سەگانە
  • سەگ<n>+ئەوانە<det><dem><dst><pl> ↔ ئەو سەگانە

Attribution

The izafa enclitic 'ی' is a preposition <pr> and it serves to connect nouns to other nouns (examples 1-3 below), as well as to descriptor adjectives (examples 4-5 below).

  • پەڕ<n><pr>+باڵندەکان<n><def><pl> ↔ پەڕی باڵندەکان (the feathers of the birds)
  • سەر<n><pr>+مارێک<n><ind><sg> ↔ سەری مارێک (the head of a snake)
  • قاچەکان<n><def><pl><pr>+من<prn><pers><p1><sg> ↔ قاچەکانی من (my legs; literally "the legs of me")
  • سەگ<n>+ئەمانە<det><dem><dst><pl> ↔ ئەو سەگە