Genitive Formation

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Genitive Articles

The genitive is used to indicate an object that is a possessor.

The masculine singular genitive pattern is identical to the feminine common case pattern, and dative case forms.

Singular Masculine Genitive
Before form Example
labial and velar stops (b, p, g, c) and m a'L a' bhòrd
f anL an fhuachd
s followed by vowels, l, n, r an t- (i.e. anT) an tsluaigh
all other sounds an an taighe
(table based on Fisher (2004)


The feminine genitive is identical to common case plural

Feminine Singular Genitive
Before form Example
consonants na na muc
Vowels na h- (i.e. anH) na h-adhairce
(table based on Fisher (2004)

The plural of genitive uses some variety of Nan/Nam:

Plural Genitive of both Genders
Before form Example
labial consonants nam nam bocsaichean
All other sounds nan nan taighean
(table based on Fisher (2004)


Forming the Genitive of Nouns

Varies depending upon declension class and gender

singular

Declension Class A: The Genitive and the Common class are identical=

  • an duine --> peann an duine


  • am posta --> peann a' phosta
  • an t-Sàbaid --> latha na Sàbaid
  • an t-òrd --> ceann an ùird
  • an t-each --> ceann an eich
  • an t-allt --> taobh an uillt
  • an rathad --> taobh an rathaid
  • am balach --> leabhar a' bhalaich
  • an cù --> biadh a' choin
  • an sabhal -> dorus an t-sabhail

Word Order in Possessive Genitive Constructions

Possessed + Genitive Article + possessor (genitive case)

Forming the Genitive of Adjectives

beag --> bhig (m),

See Also