Noun + ti / ni + Possessor

Naming the Owner

Level 1

Use noun + ti + common-noun possessor, or noun + ni + personal-name possessor.

How It Works

In ti libro ni Rosa, initial ti introduces the book phrase, while ni introduces Rosa as possessor. In ti libro ti maestra, the second ti introduces the common-noun owner. Each marker therefore has its own noun phrase.

Plural common-noun possessors use dagiti; a personal-name possessor with associates can use da. Compare ti libro ti maestra, “the teacher's book,” with ti libro dagiti maestra, “the teachers' book.” Owner number changes independently of book number. Likewise, the first and third examples below change book number while retaining Rosa as the owner.

Kinship terms can receive personal or common marking in documented contexts, so human reference alone does not determine ni versus ti. With a short pronoun possessor, omit the possessor marker: librona, “his or her book.” Possessive constructions also express personal relationships rather than only legal ownership.

Examples (3)

  1. Ti libro ni Rosa.

    Rosa's book.

    Noun-phrase fragment with a named possessor.

  2. Ti libro ti maestra.

    The teacher's book.

    Noun-phrase fragment with a common-noun possessor.

  3. Dagiti libro ni Rosa.

    Rosa's books.

    Noun-phrase fragment with plural books and one owner.

How It Connects

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Noun + ti / ni + PossessorLevel 1Naming the Owner

Learn This First

Put the owner after the noun: ti before a common noun, ni before a personal name.

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