Gender and Number Expressions
Numerals 2–8 are feminine; the listed higher numerals are masculine. Hal and eber are masculine; kow is feminine.
How It Works
Cardinal numerals function as nouns and head their number phrases. Definite, possessive and demonstrative suffixes attach to the numeral. Numerals 2–8 are feminine; the reference classifies higher numbers as masculine. Eber and hal are masculine, while kow is feminine. This entry illustrates simple numeral heads rather than deriving a compound-number agreement paradigm.
Compare feminine saddexda buug with masculine tobanka bilood: the article follows the numeral's gender. After numbers greater than one, feminine nouns with ordinary plurals in -o take counting -ood; other counting forms match the singular. No further suffix follows -ood.
Use hal before a noun for one item, and kow in counting and complex numbers. Laba/labo and toddoba/toddobo are standard variants. Ordinary spelling leaves tone unmarked.
Examples (3)
- saddexda buug
the three books
Noun-phrase fragment: feminine saddex takes -da before masculine buug.
- afartaas bisadood
those four cats
Noun-phrase fragment: the demonstrative attaches to afar; bisadood is the counting form.
- tobanka bilood
the ten months
Noun-phrase fragment: masculine toban takes -ka despite feminine bil.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Recognize counting forms and both definite article series before selecting numeral suffixes according to the numeral's own lexical gender.
- Nouns After Numbers
Recognize counting forms and both definite article series before selecting numeral suffixes according to the numeral's own lexical gender.
Level 2 - -ka / -ga / -ha / -aMasculine Definite Articles
Recognize counting forms and both definite article series before selecting numeral suffixes according to the numeral's own lexical gender.
Level 1 - -ta / -da / -shaFeminine Definite Articles
Recognize counting forms and both definite article series before selecting numeral suffixes according to the numeral's own lexical gender.
Level 1
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice Gender and Number Expressions in Bubblegum
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