Plural Adjectives

Level 2

Plural noun, plural adjective: abofra ketewa → mmofra nketewa (small children), ɔdan kɛseɛ → adan akɛseɛ (big buildings).

How It Works

1. Adjectives with a plural form
After a plural noun, these adjectives use their plural form:

  • kɛseɛ (big) → akɛseɛ: aboa kɛseɛ, mmoa akɛseɛ (big animals)
  • ketewa (small) → nketewa: akonnwa ketewa, nkonnwa nketewa (small chairs)
  • tenten (tall, long) → atenten: dua tenten, nnua atenten (tall trees)
  • tuntum (black, dark) → atuntum: abirekyie tuntum, mmirekyie atuntum (black goats)
  • tiatia (short) → ntiantia: onipa tiatia, nnipa ntiantia (short people)

2. The prefix belongs to the adjective
The adjective does not copy the noun's prefix. Mmoa starts with mm-, but big is still akɛseɛ: mmoa akɛseɛ. Mmarima starts with mm-, but tall is still atenten: mmarima atenten. Learn each plural adjective as its own word.

3. Adjectives that stay the same
Some adjectives never change. Pa (good) and bɔne (bad) are the most common: nnipa pa (good people), nkwadaa bɔne (badly behaved children).

4. Another plural for small
You will also hear nketenkete as a plural of ketewa: mmofra nketenkete (little children).

5. The noun changes too
Both words show the plural: abofra ketewa becomes mmofra nketewa. For the nouns, see Plurals With a Nasal Prefix and Plurals With a-.

6. In a longer phrase
The plural adjective keeps its place right after the noun: mmofra nketewa baanu no (the two small children). See Order in the Noun Phrase.

Examples (6)

  1. Mmofra nketewa no reda.

    The small children are sleeping.

    Ketewa becomes nketewa after the plural mmofra.

  2. Hwɛ nnua atenten no!

    Look at the tall trees!

    Tenten becomes atenten after the plural nnua.

  3. Mewɔ mmirekyie atuntum mmienu.

    I have two black goats.

    Word by Word: I-have goats black two

    The plural adjective comes before the number.

  4. Mmoa akɛseɛ wɔ kwaeɛ no mu.

    There are big animals in the forest.

    The noun starts with mm-, but the adjective's own plural is akɛseɛ.

  5. Mmarima atenten no yɛ me nuanom.

    The tall men are my brothers.

    Tall takes a- here too, even though mmarima takes a nasal.

  6. Wɔyɛ nnipa pa.

    They are good people.

    Pa (good) does not change for the plural.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the singular adjective after a plural noun.

    Mmofra ketewa no reda.
    Mmofra nketewa no reda.

    Ketewa has a plural form. When the noun is plural, use nketewa.

  • Copying the noun's prefix onto the adjective.

    Mmoa nkɛseɛ wɔ kwaeɛ no mu.
    Mmoa akɛseɛ wɔ kwaeɛ no mu.

    The plural of kɛseɛ is always akɛseɛ, whatever the noun starts with.

  • Adding a plural prefix to an adjective that never changes.

    Wɔyɛ nnipa apa.
    Wɔyɛ nnipa pa.

    Pa (good) stays the same with singular and plural nouns.

How It Connects

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

Plural AdjectivesLevel 2

Learn This First

Plural adjectives take their own a- or nasal prefix.