Grammar
Grammar
Umbundu orthography, noun classes, verbs and syntax, organised by topic.
Noun Classes
Noun Classes
Umbundu groups nouns into classes, each with its own singular and plural prefix.
| Class | Singular | Plural | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | omu- / u- | oma- / a- | Class 1 — Animate beings (full form) |
| 2 | omu- / u- | omi- / ovi- | Class 2 — Inanimates, plants (full form) |
| 3 | e- / i- | a- / ova- | Class 3a — Large objects, body parts, abstract terms (reduced form) |
| 4 | ochi- | ovi- | Class 4 — Instruments, utensils, causes, functions, augmentatives, some loanwords |
| 5 | o- | olo- | Class 5 — Animals, words derived from verbs, loanwords |
| 6 | olu- | olo- | Class 6 — Extension, length, pairs |
| 7 | oka- | otu- | Class 7 — Diminutives and small objects |
| 8 | ou- | au- | Class 8 — Abstract nouns, mostly without plural |
| 9 | oku- | ova- | Class 9 — Body parts and verbal expressions (infinitives) |
Orthography
7 topics
Syntax
5 topics
Etymology
13 topics
- Inflection of Nouns — General Remarks and Preformatives
- Inflection of Nouns — Gender, Number, Derivative Prefixes
- Inflection of Nouns — Basis of Classification and Demonstrative o
- Table of Noun Preformatives and Pronominal Prefixes
- Inflection of Adjectives — Pronominal Prefixes
- Comparison of Adjectives
- Derivation of Nouns
- Numerals
- Pronouns — Personal and Possessive
- Pronouns — Demonstrative, Indefinite, Interrogative
- Inflection of Verbs — Introduction and Stems
- Conjugation — Tenses and Moods
- Negative Forms and Verb Particles