annaga / innaga / idinka / iyaga

Independent Plural Pronouns

Level 1

MeaningIndependentUnfocused subject
we excluding youannagaannagu
we including youinnagainnagu
you pluralidinkaidinku
theyiyagaiyagu

How It Works

The inclusive/exclusive distinction is especially maintained in higher-register standard usage. Many conversational speakers generalize one form; this is attested variation. Annagu identifies a group excluding the listener, while innagu includes the listener.

Independent pronouns receive final u as unfocused subjects. Affirmative focused subjects retain a and use reduced agreement without an ordinary short subject pronoun. First- and second-person full objects retain their required short object forms.

Ordinary verbal statements also use short subjects: aannu can specify exclusive we, aynu inclusive we, aydin plural you, and ay they. Verb agreement remains necessary. Heestaan addresses several listeners; heesaan describes a third-person group. The full and short forms therefore contribute separate information and should be read together.

Examples (4)

  1. Annagu waa aannu shaqaynaa.

    We work, excluding you.

    Explicit exclusive group.

  2. Innagu waa aynu shaqaynaa.

    We work, including you.

    Explicit inclusive group.

  3. Idinku waa aydin heestaan.

    You all sing.

    Plural second-person agreement.

  4. Iyagu way heesaan.

    They sing.

    Verb agreement identifies plural ay.

How It Connects

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

annaga / innaga / idinka / iyagaLevel 1Independent Plural Pronouns

Learn This First

Extend singular reference to groups and distinguish inclusive from exclusive first-person plural.

Words in This Pattern

annaga