a- (Plural)
Plurals with a-
ɔ- or ɛ- → a-: ɔhene → ahene (chiefs), ɔdan → adan (buildings), ɛboɔ → aboɔ (stones).
How It Works
People
- ɔhene → ahene (chiefs)
- ɔsɔfoɔ → asɔfoɔ (priests)
- ɔkyerɛkyerɛfoɔ → akyerɛkyerɛfoɔ (teachers)
Most people nouns ending in -foɔ follow this pattern.
Things
- ɔdan → adan (buildings, rooms)
- ɔkwan → akwan (roads, ways)
- ɛboɔ → aboɔ (stones)
Watch for exceptions
Not every ɔ- noun takes a-. Some very common person nouns take the nasal plural instead: onipa → nnipa (people), ɔbaa → mmaa (women), ɔbarima → mmarima (men). See ɔ- nouns with N- plural. Family words often add -nom. Learn each noun together with its plural.
With numbers and adjectives
Use the plural after numbers above one: adan mmienu (two buildings). Many adjectives also take a plural prefix: adan akɛseɛ (big buildings). See adjective plural agreement.
Examples (6)
- Ahene no aba.
The chiefs have come.
Word by Word: chiefs the have-come
Ɔhene (chief) becomes ahene. As a noun subject, ahene no takes no prefix on the verb.
- Adan mmienu wɔ ha.
There are two buildings here.
Word by Word: buildings two are-at here
- Asɔfoɔ no rebɔ mpaeɛ.
The priests are praying.
Word by Word: priests the are-striking prayer
- Akwan no nyinaa kɔ Kumase.
All the roads go to Kumasi.
Word by Word: roads the all go Kumasi
- Akyerɛkyerɛfoɔ no wɔ sukuu.
The teachers are at school.
Word by Word: teachers the are-at school
Ɔkyerɛkyerɛfoɔ (teacher) keeps -foɔ and only swaps ɔ- for a-.
- Aboɔ wɔ kwan no so.
There are stones on the road.
Word by Word: stones are-at road the top
Ɛboɔ (stone) shows the ɛ- to a- change.
Common Mistakes
Keeping the singular prefix after a number.
Ɔdan mmienu wɔ ha.Adan mmienu wɔ ha.After a number above one, the noun takes its plural form: ɔdan becomes adan.
Giving a- to a noun that takes the nasal plural.
Anipa pii baeɛ.Nnipa pii baeɛ.Onipa (person) is one of the person nouns with a nasal plural: onipa → nnipa. Check each noun's plural.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The a- plural follows the idea of a plural prefix.
Related Patterns
- Person Nouns With a Nasal Plural
Lists the common ɔ- person nouns that take the nasal instead of a-.
Level 2 - -foɔPeople Who Do: -foɔ
People nouns in -foɔ usually have ɔ- in the singular and a- in the plural.
Level 2 - -nom (Plural)Plural Suffix -nom
Family and title words often use -nom for the plural.
Level 3 - Vowel Harmony
Explains why the singular prefix is sometimes spelled o or e.
Level 1 - Plural Adjectives
Adjectives after these plurals can take a- too: adan akɛseɛ.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice a- (Plural) in Bubblegum
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