The Two Meanings of -ak
-ak is the plural article (umeak, the children) and also the article plus the ergative -k (umeak, the child, as the doer). The auxiliary tells them apart.
How It Works
Where the two come from. The singular article -a plus the ergative -k gives -ak. The plural article is also -ak. So mutilak, neskak and irakasleak can each be read two ways.
Three readings of a word in -ak.
- Plural subject of a nor verb: Mutilak etxera joan dira (The boys have gone home). The auxiliary is dira.
- Plural object: Mutilak ikusi ditut (I have seen the boys). The auxiliary has -it-: ditut.
- One doer of a nor-nork verb: Mutilak etxea garbitu du (The boy has cleaned the house). The auxiliary is du, so the doer is one person.
Several doers. When several people do something, the ending is -ek: Mutilek etxea garbitu dute (The boys have cleaned the house). So -ek is never ambiguous; see Plural Case Endings.
Reading tip. Find the auxiliary first, then match the -ak word to it. In speech -ak and -ek can sound alike in some areas, so the auxiliary is the safest guide.
Examples (6)
- Umeak jolasten ari dira.
The children are playing.
dira shows a plural subject, so umeak means the children.
- Umeak kristala hautsi du.
The child has broken the glass.
du with the object kristala shows one doer: the child.
- Umeek kristala hautsi dute.
The children have broken the glass.
Several doers take -ek and dute.
- Irakasleak ikusi ditut.
I have seen the teachers.
ditut shows a plural object.
- Irakasleak galdera bat egin du.
The teacher has asked a question.
- Neskak berandu iritsi dira.
The girls have arrived late.
Common Mistakes
Using -ak for several doers.
Umeak kristala hautsi dute.Umeek kristala hautsi dute.dute shows several doers, and several doers take -ek. Umeak with a transitive verb means one child and goes with du.
Adding -k to the subject of a nor verb.
Neskak etorri da.Neska etorri da.The intended meaning is The girl has come. etorri is a nor verb, so one subject stays bare: neska. Neskak with etorri means the girls and needs dira.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The two meanings of -ak need the plural and the ergative.
Related Patterns
- Who Does What: nor and nork
Explains which subjects take -k and which stay bare.
Level 1 - ditut / dituzu / dituHaving Several Things
The auxiliary that shows a plural object.
Level 1 - Plural Case Endings
Gives -ek for several doers, which is never ambiguous.
Level 2 - -aThe Definite Article -a
The singular article that combines with -k to make -ak.
Level 1
Practice The Two Meanings of -ak in Bubblegum
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