-nom (Plural)
Plural Suffix -nom
Add -nom to family and title words for the plural: nana → nananom (grandparents, elders), agya → agyanom (fathers).
How It Works
1. Just -nom
Many family words simply add -nom to the whole word:
- nana → nananom (grandparents; also elders, chiefs, ancestors)
- agya → agyanom (fathers; yɛn agyanom also means our forefathers)
- ɛna → ɛnanom (mothers)
- yere → yerenom (wives)
2. Prefix and -nom together
Some nouns change their prefix as well:
- onua → anuanom (siblings, brothers and sisters)
- asew → nsewnom (in-laws)
Keep the plural prefix. Some speakers drop -nom and just say nsew, but the prefix cannot be dropped.
3. Respectful address
Nananom is how you address chiefs and elders as a group: Nananom, yɛma mo akwaaba (Elders, we welcome you). See respectful address.
4. Which nouns?
-nom belongs to kinship and title words. Ordinary nouns keep their prefix plurals: kraman → nkraman (dogs). People named by a place or activity use -foɔ: asuafoɔ (students). The same -nom is also in ebinom (some people).
Examples (5)
- Me nananom te Kumase.
My grandparents live in Kumasi.
Word by Word: my grandparents live Kumasi
- Mewɔ anuanom baasa.
I have three siblings.
Word by Word: I-have siblings three
Anuanom are people, so the count uses baasa.
- Me nsewnom bɛba ɔkyena.
My in-laws will come tomorrow.
Word by Word: my in-laws will-come tomorrow
- Nananom, yɛma mo akwaaba.
Elders, we welcome you.
Word by Word: elders, we-give you welcome
- Yɛn agyanom kaa saa.
Our forefathers said so.
Word by Word: our fathers said so
Common Mistakes
Dropping the plural prefix on a noun that needs both.
Me sewnom bɛba ɔkyena.Me nsewnom bɛba ɔkyena.Asew takes the prefix n- as well as -nom. Without the prefix, sewnom is not a word.
Adding -nom to an ordinary noun.
Mewɔ kramannom mmienu.Mewɔ nkraman mmienu.-nom is for family and title words. Kraman (dog) makes its plural with the N- prefix.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The -nom plural adds to the prefix plurals.
Related Patterns
- a- (Plural)Plurals with a-
Another prefix plural; onua → anuanom combines it with -nom.
Level 1 - -foɔPeople Who Do: -foɔ
The plural ending for people named by place or activity.
Level 2 - ebi / ebinomSome: Ebi and Ebinom
Ebinom (some people) carries the same -nom.
Level 4 - Addressing People Respectfully
Nananom is the respectful way to address elders.
Level 4 - baa- (Counting People)Counting People: Baanu, Baasa
People plurals like anuanom are counted with baa- forms.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice -nom (Plural) in Bubblegum
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