Actions Used as Nouns
Learn qorid/qoris ‘writing’, akhrin/akhris ‘reading’, and barasho ‘learning’ with their articles.
How It Works
Verbal nouns name actions and can take articles, function as objects, or head subject phrases. Formation depends partly on conjugation; alternatives and specialized meanings remain lexical facts.
| Class | Common formations | Examples with articles |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feminine -id or -is | qoridda, qorista — writing |
| 2 | Feminine -n or masculine -s | akhrinta, akhriska — reading |
| 3 | Feminine -sho or masculine -d | barashada, baradka — learning |
The noun’s gender determines its article and agreement, not the performer’s gender. Contrast akhriska, a definite noun naming reading, with akhrin karaa, ‘can read’, where an infinitive precedes an auxiliary. English ‘reading’ and ‘to read’ can both correspond to a Somali verbal noun.
An action noun can be followed by a noun identifying its object. When that whole phrase is an unfocused subject, its last word carries subject marking. Some formations specialize: furitaan can denote an opening ceremony, while furid denotes opening generally.
Examples (3)
- Waxaan jeclahay akhriska.
I like reading.
Akhriska is a definite masculine action noun used as an object.
- Barashadu waa muhiim.
Learning is important.
Barashadu is the subject form of barashada.
- Qoridda warqaddu waxay qaadataa waqti.
Writing the letter takes time.
The action noun heads the subject phrase; final warqaddu carries subject marking.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Recognize infinitive formation and nominal phrases, including their inherited gender-conditioned articles, before learning attested verbal nouns.
- Building an Infinitive
Recognize infinitive formation and nominal phrases, including their inherited gender-conditioned articles, before learning attested verbal nouns.
Level 2 - One Noun Describing Another
Recognize infinitive formation and nominal phrases, including their inherited gender-conditioned articles, before learning attested verbal nouns.
Level 4
Related Patterns
Practice Actions Used as Nouns in Bubblegum
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