-kan / -tan
This with Different Nouns
Masculine -kan and feminine -tan include surface forms such as -gan and -dan.
How It Works
Attach masculine -kan or feminine -tan directly to the noun, with the initial consonant changes found in its definite article. Thus -ga corresponds to -gan, and feminine final d produces dd. The demonstrative replaces the ordinary article ending rather than following a complete definite form.
Plural stems take the same attached series with their own linking pattern. Independent kan and tan stand without an expressed singular noun; the independent plural is kuwan. Compare object gurigan with unfocused subject gurigani: a phrase-final demonstrative receives subject -i.
Somali proximal reference covers very close objects and objects a short distance away, so English may sometimes translate it as “that.” Southern forms ending in -aan are documented regional variants. The examples use the neutral written forms without pronunciation tone marks.
Examples (3)
- Geedkan waan beeray.
I planted this tree.
Geed takes the masculine -kan ending.
- Warqaddan waan akhriyay.
I read this letter.
The feminine link assimilates after final d.
- Gurigani waa weyn yahay.
This house is big.
Guri takes -gan, followed by subject -i.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Recognize noun gender and ordinary article endings before selecting the near demonstrative.
Related Patterns
- -kaas / -taasThat with Different Nouns
Provides the distal counterpart.
Level 2 - -kan / -kaasThis and That
Compares nearby and distant reference.
Level 2 - Noun Gender
Explains the gender controlling the link.
Level 1 - Subject -u / -iDefinite Nouns as Subjects
Explains demonstrative subjects ending in i.
Level 2 - Gender in the Plural
Explains why some plurals use a different gender pattern.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice -kan / -tan in Bubblegum
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