-ci / -ta

Building Abstract Nouns

Level 5

Abstract endings are selected lexically; alternatives can share or distinguish meanings.

How It Works

Abstract nouns use several endings, including -ci, -ta, -taka. Compare jahili, ‘an ignorant person’, with jahilci, ‘ignorance’, and gurgu, ‘a lame person’, with gurgunta, ‘lameness’.

The ending attaches to a stem, often after removal of the final vowel; some derivatives contain a connecting vowel and nasal. Suffix choice is lexical. Mutunci means decency or dignity, whereas mutuntaka means human nature. Their endings cannot be exchanged while preserving that contrast.

Some bases allow synonymous alternatives with dialectal or individual preferences. Others produce different meanings. Abstract nouns occupy ordinary noun positions and have lexical gender; their endings do not agree with the person described. The abstract -ci and -taka formations have regular tone melodies, while -ta tones are lexical. Ordinary Boko does not show these pronunciation patterns. Learn the derivative's complete form, rather than treating the endings as interchangeable suffixes.

Examples (3)

  1. Muna magana game da jahilci.

    We are talking about ignorance.

    Jahilci names an abstract condition.

  2. Likita ya yi magana game da gurgunta.

    The doctor talked about lameness.

    Gurgunta is an established abstract associated with gurgu.

  3. Ina son mutum mai mutunci.

    I like a person with integrity.

    Mai relates a person to the quality mutunci.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

-ci / -taLevel 5Building Abstract Nouns

Learn This First

Recognize quality descriptions and linked continuative verbal-noun predicates before lexically selected abstract-noun families in -ci/-ta. Derivational pronunciation is retained through the verbal-noun foundation.