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Chapter 12: Articles (a, an, the) / Boqonnaa 12: Dursa Maqaa (a, an, the)

This chapter explains how to use articles correctly before nouns. / Boqonnaan kun akkamitti dursa maqaalee sirriitti akka fayyadamnu ibsa.

Indefinite Articles: A and AN / Dursa Maqaa Murtaa'oo Hin Taane: A fi AN

"A" and "an" are used with singular, countable nouns when the listener/reader does not know which specific one we are talking about. The choice between "a" and "an" depends on the sound that begins the next word.
"A" fi "an" maqaalee lakkaa'amuu danda'an kanneen qeenxee ta'an waliin fayyadamu, yeroo dhaggeeffataan/dubbisaan isa kam akka ta'e hin beekne. "A" fi "an" gidduutti filachuun sagalee jecha itti aanuu irratti hundaa'a.

Rule 1: Use "a" before words starting with a consonant sound. / Seera 1: "a" jechoota sagalee dubbifamaa dhabduutiin jalqabaman dura fayyadami.

(a) a book

(b) a car

(c) a university (starts with a "y" sound)

Rule 2: Use "an" before words starting with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u). / Seera 2: "an" jechoota sagalee dubbachiiftuutiin (a, e, i, o, u) jalqabaman dura fayyadami.

(d) an apple

(e) an elephant

(f) an hour (the "h" is silent)

Definite Article: THE / Dursa Maqaa Murtaa'aa: THE

"The" is used to refer to specific or particular nouns that are understood by both the speaker and the listener.
"The" maqaalee adda ta'an ykn kan beekaman kan dubbataa fi dhaggeeffataan lamaanuu beekan agarsiisuuf fayyada.

Use "the" when: / "The" fayyadami yeroo:

  • A noun has already been mentioned. / Maqaan tokko dura dhaamsa keessatti ibsameera yoo ta’e.

    I saw a cat. The cat was black. / Adurree arge. Adurreen sun gurraacha turte.

  • It is clear which noun you are talking about. / Maqaa kam akka dubbachaa jirtu ifa yoo ta'e.

    Could you pass me the salt? (There is only one salt shaker on the table) / Asooboo naaf kennitaa?

  • The noun is unique (there is only one). / Maqichi adda yoo ta'e (tokko qofa kan jiru).

    The sun is shining. The sky is blue. / Aduun ifaa jirti. Samiin cuquliisa.

When Not to Use Articles / Yoom Dursa Maqaa Fayyadamuu Hin Qabnu

Do not use an article with: / Dursa maqaa hin fayyadamin yeroo:

  • Names of languages or nationalities. / Maqaalee afaanii ykn sabaa.

    I speak English. (NOT: I speak the English.) / Afaan Ingiliffaa nan dubbadha.

  • Names of sports. / Maqaalee ispoortii.

    I like to play soccer. / Kubbaa miilaa taphachuu nan jaaladha.

  • Names of academic subjects. / Maqaalee barnoota akadamiikii.

    He is studying mathematics. / Herrega barachaa jira.

  • General, uncountable nouns. / Maqaalee waliigalaa, kan hin lakkaa'amne.

    I drink coffee every morning. (But: The coffee I drank this morning was cold.)

    Ganama hunda buna nan dhuga. (Garuu: Bunni ganama dhuge qorra ture.)