-kan / -kaas

This and That

Level 2

Keep the noun constant: -an marks nearby reference and -aas marks more distant reference.

How It Works

With a masculine noun using the -ka article, compare -kan “this/that nearby” and -kaas “that farther away.” Feminine counterparts are -tan and -taas. Both series share the noun’s usual linking changes, including -gan/-gaas and -dan/-daas.

Somali proximal forms cover both very close objects and objects a short distance away. English “that” can therefore translate a Somali proximal form. Use the intended referent and context rather than assigning one English word mechanically. Compare the concrete phrase fragments kursigan “this nearby chair” and kursigaas “that more distant chair.”

Attached endings keep the noun explicit; independent demonstratives replace it. The attached series also occurs on plural stems, following their linking patterns. Previously known reference with -kii/-tii is a separate distinction. Regional proximal -aan and casual distal -aa variants should not be treated as grammatical errors.

Examples (3)

  1. qoyskan / qoyskaas

    this nearby family / that more distant family

    Paired noun-phrase fragments with masculine k links.

  2. sariirtan / sariirtaas

    this nearby bed / that more distant bed

    Paired noun-phrase fragments with feminine t links.

  3. kursigan / kursigaas

    this nearby chair / that more distant chair

    Paired noun-phrase fragments with the masculine g link after i.

How It Connects

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

-kan / -kaasLevel 2This and That

Learn This First

Choose between established near and distant forms according to the referent's context.