Plural Noun Phrases

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Overview

Judean: Plural endings depend on gender - suffix attaches to noun.

English: Plural nouns end in -s, -es, or irregular forms.

READING GOAL:
To recognize plural noun endings in Judean.

The Rule

English: Add -s or -es to make plural (dog → dogs)

Judean: Add suffix based on gender:

Masculine: add ים
Feminine: ה → ות or ת → ות

These rules don't apply to irregular nouns that exist in both languages.

Plural Suffix Chart

Type	Rule	Example
Masculine	add ים	כלב → כלבים
Feminine (ה ending)	ה → ות	תורה → תורות
Feminine (ת ending)	ת → ות	שבת → שבתות

Examples

EXAMPLE 1

dogs

כלבים

plural ים · dog כלב

EXAMPLE 2

kings

מלכים

plural ים · king מלך

EXAMPLE 3

words

דברים

plural ים · word דבר

EXAMPLE 4

laws

תורות

plural ות · law תורה

EXAMPLE 5

the dogs

הכלבים

plural ים · dog כלב · the ה

EXAMPLE 6

queens

מלכות

plural ות · queen מלכה

Common Irregular Nouns: Masculine

These masculine nouns take feminine plural endings (ות) instead of ים:

English	Singular	Plural
father	אב	אבות
name	שם	שמות
place	מקום	מקומות
generation	דור	דורות
voice	קול	קולות

Common Irregular Nouns: Feminine

These feminine nouns take masculine plural endings (ים) instead of ות:

English	Singular	Plural
woman	אשה	נשים
city	עיר	ערים
year	שנה	שנים
word	מלה	מלים
egg	ביצה	ביצים

Key Points

Masculine plural: add ים suffix
Feminine plural: change ending to ות
Suffix attaches directly to the noun
Some nouns take the opposite gender's plural ending
Irregular nouns must be memorized

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Practice This Rule

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*Rule discovered and documented through direct textual analysis by Itharey Daughter of the Diaspora and it is implemented into the Judean Translator.

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