-kaas / -taas

That with Different Nouns

Level 2

Masculine -kaas and feminine -taas undergo the same linking changes as definite articles.

How It Works

Distal -kaas and -taas attach directly to nouns. Their links follow the definite article: -ga corresponds to -gaas, and -da to -daas. Plural stems use their own pattern, as in guryahaas “those houses,” rather than automatically preserving the singular link.

Independent kaas and taas replace singular noun phrases; kuwaas is the independent plural. Distal reference normally concerns something quite far away. Compare dukaankan “this nearby shop” and dukaankaas “that more distant shop.” English “that” also covers shorter distances where Somali can use proximal forms.

Casual distal endings without final s are documented variants. A phrase-final distal demonstrative takes subject -i when it ends an unfocused subject phrase. Previously known reference with -kii/-tii has a separate function and is not simply another distance category.

Examples (3)

  1. Buurtaas waan arkay.

    I saw that mountain.

    Buur uses the feminine -taas pattern.

  2. Dukaankaas waan booqday.

    I visited that shop.

    Dukaan takes masculine -kaas.

  3. Guryahaas waan sawiray.

    I drew those houses.

    The plural guryo uses the -haas linking pattern.

How It Connects

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

-kaas / -taasLevel 2That with Different Nouns

Learn This First

Contrast the familiar near demonstrative with the corresponding distant demonstrative.