mu / ku / su

Plural Direct Objects

Level 3

Mu = us; ku = you plural; su = them.

How It Works

Plural direct objects use mu, ku and su, without a masculine–feminine distinction. They follow the verb's pronoun-object form. For example, variable-vowel taimake ku has final -e.

In Su kama mu!, They should catch us!, initial su is a subjunctive subject and final mu a direct object. The direct-object set also follows presentative ga and existential akwai.

Pronoun tone normally opposes the preceding syllable. Regular -a/-e verbs of three syllables and regular -a/-e imperatives instead have High tone on both the final verb syllable and object. Ordinary spelling leaves these tones unmarked. Non-wa verbal nouns use possessive object morphology. Dative mana, muku, musu assign recipient or other affected roles in a separate construction.

Examples (3)

  1. Malam ya gaishe mu.

    The teacher greeted us.

    Mu includes the speaker in the object group.

  2. Aisha za ta taimake ku.

    Aisha will help you. (a group)

    Ku follows the pronoun-object form taimake.

  3. Aisha ta raba su.

    Aisha separated them.

    Su identifies a plural direct object.

How It Connects

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mu / ku / suLevel 3Plural Direct Objects

Learn This First

Recognize singular short direct objects and subjunctive subjects before using plural direct-object pronouns and distinguishing them from homographic instruction subjects.

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Words in This Pattern

kumusu