Translingual

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Prefix

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n-

  1. (SI prefix) Abbreviation of English nano-

English

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Etymology 1

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    Abbreviation of number. Borrowed from German n-.

    Pronunciation

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    Prefix

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    n-

    1. (mathematics, sciences, logic) Indicating an arbitrary number of elements.
    Usage notes
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    Derived terms
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    Category English terms prefixed with n- (number) not found

    Etymology 2

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      Abbreviation of normal.

      Pronunciation

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      Prefix

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      n-

      1. (organic chemistry) The normal-form of a functional group (or molecule), being the long-chain form (the unbranched chain).
        Coordinate terms: (secondary form) s-, (tertiary form) t-
      Usage notes
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      • Italicised in formal use.
      Derived terms
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      Translations
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      See also

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      Abenaki

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      Alternative forms

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      Etymology

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      Related to nia (I, me).

      Prefix

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      n-

      1. (prefixed to nouns, used before consonants) my
      2. (prefixed to verbs, used before consonants) I
      3. (prefixed to verbs, used before consonants) I (exclusive we)

      Coordinate terms

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      • nd- (used before vowels)

      Ahtna

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      Etymology 1

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      Compare nen (you), from Proto-Athabaskan *ŋʸən.

      Prefix

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      n-

      1. marks a second person singular possessor; you
        n- + ‎-taʼ (father) → ‎ntaʼ (your father)
      2. marks a second person singular object of a postposition
        n- + ‎-kʼe (on) → ‎nkʼe (on you)
      See also
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      Ahtna possessive/prepositional object prefixes
      singular plural
      1st person s- ne-
      2nd person ne- nhw-
      3rd person b-, y- ku-, hw-
      Reflexive de- hde-
      Indefinite cʼe-
      Areal (postpositional only) ko-
      Reciprocal nił-

      References

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      • Kari, James (1990), Ahtna Athabaskan Dictionary, Fairbanks, Alaska: Alaska Native Language Center, →ISBN, page 35

      Etymology 2

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      Cognate with Lower Tanana n-, Babine-Witsuwit'en n-, Koyukon ne-, Navajo ni- (round object).

      Prefix

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      n-

      1. A qualifier suffix with a number of meanings:
        1. Marks the n-gender containing roundish or rope-like objects and liquids
        2. Appears in compound nouns that are rounded or rope-like
        3. assume a position
        4. flying
        5. following
        6. Appears in many verbs with no clear function
      Usage notes
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      • When used as a gender prefix, appears on verbs to mark agreement with n-gender nouns.
      • Appears as ne- before a consonant
      Derived terms
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      See also

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      References

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      • Kari, James (1990), Ahtna Athabaskan Dictionary, Fairbanks, Alaska: Alaska Native Language Center, →ISBN, pages 285-86

      Etymology 3

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      Cognate with Lower Tanana n-; compare also Navajo na- (continuative prefix)

      Prefix

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      n-

      1. A distributive prefix referring to action at separate places or intervals and to reduplication of an action
      2. Marks continuative verbs; to keep on doing something
      Derived terms
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      References

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      • Kari, James (1990), Ahtna Athabaskan Dictionary, Fairbanks, Alaska: Alaska Native Language Center, →ISBN, page 285

      Etymology 4

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      Prefix

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      n-

      1. A prefix appearing in the imperfective and perfective modes of certain active verbs and in the imperfective of certain stative verbs
      Derived terms
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      References

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      • Kari, James (1990), Ahtna Athabaskan Dictionary, Fairbanks, Alaska: Alaska Native Language Center, →ISBN, page 286

      Etymology 5

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      From Proto-Athabaskan. Related to the -n ending of many perfective verbal stems.

      Prefix

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      n-

      1. A prefix appearing in the imperfective and perfective modes of certain neuter verbs and in the perfective mode of certain active verbs,
      Derived terms
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      References

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      • Kari, James (1990), Ahtna Athabaskan Dictionary, Fairbanks, Alaska: Alaska Native Language Center, →ISBN, page 286

      Albanian

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      Alternative forms

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      • ën-Buzuku
      • m-before labials

      Etymology

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      From Proto-Indo-European *h₁én (in).[1][2]

      Prefix

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      n-

      1. intensive prefix. on, to, at

      Derived terms

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      References

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      1. ^ Schumacher, Stefan; Matzinger, Joachim (2013), Die Verben des Altalbanischen: Belegwörterbuch, Vorgeschichte und Etymologie (Albanische Forschungen; 33) (in German), Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz, →ISBN
      2. ^ Orel, Vladimir (2000), A concise historical grammar of the Albanian language: reconstruction of Proto-Albanian[1], Leiden, Boston, Köln: Brill, →ISBN, page 168

      Aromanian

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      Prefix

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      n-

      1. alternative form of ãn-

      Bemba

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      Etymology

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      Inherited from Proto-Bantu *ǹ- (Class 9 & 10 noun prefix).

      Prefix

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      n-

      1. Class 9 noun prefix.
      2. Class 10 noun prefix.

      References

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      • Reverend E. Hoch (1998), Bemba - English/English - Bemba[2], Hippocrene Books, pages 212-213

      Bende

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      Etymology

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      Inherited from Proto-Bantu *ǹ-

      Prefix

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      n-

      1. Class 9 noun prefix.
      2. Class 10 noun prefix.

      References

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      • Yuko Abe (2006), A Bende Vocabulary[3], Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa, page v

      Big Nambas

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      Alternative forms

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      Etymology

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      From Proto-Oceanic *na.

      Article

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      n-

      1. The noun article. Added to nouns and verb stems to affirm nominal use. Has an element of definiteness. Also used in derivation.

      Usage notes

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      This form used before vowels. Before consonants, the form na- is used.

      References

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      Chichewa

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      Etymology

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      Inherited from Proto-Bantu *ǹ-

      Prefix

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      n-

      1. Class 9 noun prefix.
      2. Class 10 noun prefix.

      Classical Nahuatl

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      Variant of ni- before vowels

      Dena'ina

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      Alternative forms

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      Etymology

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      Compare Ahtna ne-, Navajo ni-.

      Pronunciation

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      Prefix

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      n-

      1. Marks a second person singular verbal subject; you
        n- + ‎chegh (to cry) → ‎nchegh (you are crying)

      Usage notes

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      • Used word-initially or immediately after a disjunct prefix with the shape CV. i- is used otherwise.

      See also

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      Dena'ina verbal subject prefixes
      singular plural
      1st person esh- chʼe-
      2nd person n-, i- eh-
      3rd person ∅- qe-
      Non-human ye-
      Indefinite human qe-
      Indefinite non-human kʼe-
      Unknown chʼe-
      Areal/temporal/abstract qe-

      References

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      • Tenenbaum, Joan Marsha (1978), Morphology and Semantics of the Tanaina Verb, Columbia University, page 60

      Digo

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      Etymology

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        Inherited from Proto-Sabaki *n-, from Proto-Bantu *ǹ- (Class 9 & 10 noun prefix)

        In Sabaki, cognate with Swahili n- and Ngazidja Comorian n-. Other Bantu cognates include Rwanda-Rundi n- and Zulu n-.

        Prefix

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        n-

        1. Class 9 noun prefix.
        2. Class 10 noun prefix.

        References

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        Dutch

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        Etymology

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        From Middle Dutch ne, en, from Old Dutch ne, from Proto-Germanic *ne.

        Prefix

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        n-

        1. Used to negate the pronoun or adverb which follows it, yielding the same part of speech

        Derived terms

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        Egyptian

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        Prefix

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        n
        1. forms intransitive or reflexive verbs from existing verbs

        Derived terms

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        Prefix

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        n
        1. alternative form of m- (noun-forming prefix) before labial consonants

        References

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        • Satzinger, Helmut (2017) “A Lexicon of Egyptian Lexical Roots (Project)” in Quaderni di Vicino Oriente, volume 12, pages 213–223

        Emilian

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        Pronunciation

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        Pronoun

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        n- (adverbial)

        1. (before a vowel) alternative form of in
          A-g n-ò dimándi.I have a lot (of them).

        French

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        Etymology

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        Abbreviation of normale.

        Pronunciation

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        Prefix

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        n-

        1. (organic chemistry) n-; (normal-form)

        Derived terms

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        Kamba

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        Alternative forms

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        Prefix

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        n-

        1. I (used for conjugating verbs to the subjective or nominative case of the personal pronoun)

        Lower Tanana

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        Pronunciation

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        Etymology 1

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        From Proto-Athabaskan *ŋ-, *nʸ-. Cognate with Navajo ni-, Ahtna n-.

        Prefix

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        n-

        1. Marks the perfective mode.
          ghinghonh'you make them (gh-n-ne-∅-ghon')
          niyohe/she arrived
        2. Marks neuter verbs
          inlanhyou are
          nezrunhit is good, beautiful
        Derived terms
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        Etymology 2

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        From Proto-Athabaskan *nə-, *n-.

        Prefix

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        n-

        1. Marks the imperfective and perfective modes in the n-imperfective and n-perfective paradigms.
          nes'oyhI am bringing it
          niko'ikayhhe is landing ashore
          niniyohe/she stopped

        Etymology 3

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        From Proto-Athabaskan *nə-, *n-.

        Prefix

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        n-

        1. The n-qualifier, a prefix with a variety of uses on verbs and nouns:
          1. Serves as a "connective" prefix on several nouns, many of them associated with the face
            -entsiyhnose
            -entogetforehad
            ch'enluhail
          2. Marks the n-gender on verbs, referring to rope-like and roundish objects, such as berries and the face
            tl'uɬ nadh'onha coiled rope is there
            yoyega' nadl'onhshe kept her face down
          3. Appears thematicized in several verbs, from its earlier use as a gender marker
            neljethe/she is afraid
          4. Appears in verbs related to flight
            not'wxit is flying
            nodeɬthey are flying
          5. Appears in verbs with a meaning of "following"
            yenoyoɬhe is following him/her
          6. Appears in verbs relating to assuming a position
            nadhtanhhe/she laid down, went to bed
          7. (With the de-classifier) To do accidentally, by mistake
          8. (With dh-) Marks bisective verbs, with a meaning of "cut in half;" found only in three verb themes
        Derived terms
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        Etymology 4

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        From Proto-Athabaskan *n-.

        Prefix

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        n-

        1. A distributive prefix: at separate intervals, or places
          tonyedh'onh'he/she put them in the water (in separate places)
        2. Marks the continuative aspect, indicating repeated action
          gwx uko ntr'olzrakwe drive hunted for rabbits
        3. Appears in verbs relating to the sensing of spirits
        4. Appears in verbs relating to standing
          ne'esdhetI am standing
        5. (With dh-) forms a continuative construction describing a round trip
          neyo'he is walking down and back
          dink'a nedhestonhI brought a gun with me
        6. wearing
          ts'ex nedal'onhshe is wearing a hat
        Derived terms
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        Etymology 5

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        Prefix

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        n-

        1. Appears in several wh-question words as part of the interrogative prefix nda-.

        Etymology 6

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        Prefix

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        n-

        1. alternative form of ne- (second person singular prefix)

        References

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        • Kari, James et al. (2024), Kari, James, editor, Lower Tanana Dene Dictionary, Fairbanks, Alaska: Alaska Native Language Center, →ISBN

        Maltese

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        Etymology 1

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        From Arabic نَ (na, first-person plural imperfect prefix). The use also for the first-person singular is found in Maghrebi Arabic dialects.

        Alternative forms

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        Prefix

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        n-

        1. First-person prefix in the imperfect conjugation
          n- + ‎kiteb (he wrote) → ‎nikteb (I write)

        Etymology 2

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        Article

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        n-

        1. alternative form of il-
        Usage notes
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        • Used after a vowel and before the letter n. For details on usage, see the main lemma.

        Mbukushu

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        Etymology

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        Inherited from Proto-Bantu *ǹ- (Class 9 & 10 noun prefix).

        Prefix

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        n-

        1. Class 9 noun prefix
        2. Class 10 noun prefix

        References

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        • R.C.Wynne (1980), English-Mbukushu Dictionary[4], Avebury Publishing Company Limited, page xviii
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        Prefix

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        n-

        1. marks a second person singular direct object.

        See also

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        • ni- (second person singular subject)

        Neapolitan

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        Alternative forms

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        • m-, l- (from assimilation to following consonants)

        Etymology

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        Inherited from Latin in-.

        Prefix

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        n-

        1. in

        Derived terms

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        Ojibwe

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        Prefix

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        n-

        1. alternative form of ni-

        Usage notes

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        n- appears before stems that begin with the vowels oo and ii.

        See also

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        Ojibwe personal prefixes
        stem begins with... 1st person 2nd person 3rd person
        consonants p t k h ch m n s sh w y ni- gi- o-
        d g ' j z zh nin-
        b nim-
        vowels o nindo- gido- odo-
        a aa e i nind- gid- od-
        oo n- g-
        ii w-

        Old Irish

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        Prefix

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        n- (class A infixed pronoun)

        1. us

        Derived terms

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        See also

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        Old Irish affixed pronouns
        See Appendix:Old Irish affixed pronouns for details on how these forms are used.
        Note that the so-called “infixed” pronouns are technically prefixes, but they are never the first prefix in a verbal complex.
        person infixed suffixed
        class A class B class C
        1 sg m-L dom-L, dam-L -um
        2 sg t-L dot-L, dat-L, dut-L, dit-L -ut
        3 sg m a-N, e-N d-N id-N, did-N, d-N -i, -it
        3 sg f s-(N) da- -us
        3 sg n a-L, e-L d-L id-L, did-L, d-L -i, -it
        1 pl n- don-, dun-, dan- -unn
        2 pl b- dob-, dub-, dab- -uib
        3 pl s-(N) da- -us

        L means this form triggers lenition.
        N means this form triggers nasalization (eclipsis)
        (N) means this form triggers nasalization in some texts but not in others.

        Prefix

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        n- (class B & C infixed pronoun)

        1. alternative form of d-

        Senhaja de Srair

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        Prefix

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        n- (Tifinagh spelling ⵏ-)

        1. alternative form of nn-

        Sundanese

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        Etymology

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        Ultimately from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *maN-. Compare Javanese nge-.

        Prefix

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        n-

        1. active verb-forming prefix
          n- + ‎aji (scripture) → ‎ngaji (to read the Quran)
          n- + ‎bor (drill) → ‎ngebor (to drill)
          n- + ‎carita (story) → ‎nyarita (to tell a story)
          n- + ‎dangu (to hear) → ‎ngadangu (to hear)
          n- + ‎galeuh (liver; heart; to buy) → ‎ngagaleuh (to buy)
          n- + ‎haleuang (melody) → ‎ngahaleuang (to sing in a loud manner)
          n- + ‎inum (to drink) → ‎nginum (to drink)
          n- + ‎jungjung (to carry on the head) → ‎ngajungjung (to carry on the head; to hold high regards)
          n- + ‎kidul (south) → ‎ngidul (to go southward)
          n- + ‎layung (afterglow) → ‎ngalayung (to go out/do activities in the afternoon)
          n- + ‎mumulé (to nurse; take care) → ‎ngamumulé (to nurse; to take care)
          n- + ‎nuhun (thanks) → ‎nganuhunkeun (to give thanks)
          n- + ‎peunteun (grade, mark) → ‎meunteun (to grade)
          n- + ‎sangu (rice) → ‎nyangu (to cook rice)
          n- + ‎ubar (medicine) → ‎ngubaran (to cure)
        2. adjective-forming prefix
          n- + ‎kedul (lazy) → ‎ngedul (lazy)
          n- + ‎perenah (related; place) → ‎merenah (appropriate)

        Usage notes

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        N- behaves differently depending upon the initial phoneme of the root it is applied to.

        • initial consonants p (in some cases b) turns it into m-
        • initial consonants t turns it into n-
        • initial consonants k, w, and vowel-initial roots turns it into ng-
        • initial consonants b, d, g, h, j, l, m, n, w, y turns it into nga-
        • initial consonants c, s turns it into ny-
        • one syllable word turns it into nge-

        References

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        Swahili

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        Etymology 1

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          Inherited from Proto-Sabaki *n-, from Proto-Bantu *ǹ- (class 9/10 noun prefix).

          In Sabaki, cognate with Ngazidja Comorian n- and Giryama n-. Other Bantu cognates include Rwanda-Rundi n- and Zulu n-.

          Alternative forms

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          • (before a vowel) ny-
          • (before labial consonants) m-

          Prefix

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          n- (plural n-)

          1. n class(IX/X) noun prefix and adjective agreement prefix, denoting animals and miscellaneous nouns as well as their plurals, and plurals of some u class(XI) nouns
            nguo nzuria nice piece of cloth/nice clothes
            ulimi (tongue) → ‎ndimi (tongues)
          Usage notes
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          Foreign borrowings that cannot fit other classes morphologically usually behave as n class(IX), but do not take this prefix.

          Except for nouns where the stem is of one syllable, n can only be followed by g, d, j, y, and z in Swahili. As a result of this, when the stem starts with a vowel, n- changes to ny-, when it starts with a b or v it changes to m-, and *nw-, *nl-, and *nr- becomes mb-, nd-, and nd- respectively. In front of any stems where these rules cannot be applied, it disappears.

          In many dialects, initial voiceless stops of nouns and adjectives are aspirated in n class(IX/X), which is a remnant of this disappeared prefix.

          See also
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          Etymology 2

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          Inherited from Proto-Bantu *ǹ-.

          Alternative forms

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          Prefix

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          n-

          1. (Kimvita, colloquial) alternative form of ni-
            • 1973, Mohammed S. Abdulla, Duniani kuna watu, page 5:
              "Na kwa nini n'sirejee," aliuliza mzee.
              "And why wouldn't I go back [to it]?" the old man asked.
            • 2022, Timothy Theodosy Chelula, Instagram[5]:
              Kuna siku nlikua na drive huu wimbo ukaenda hewani nkajikuta natokwa machozi 🥲na nsijue wanachoimba .
              One day I was driving, this song went on air, and I found myself in tears 🥲 and I didn't know what they were singing.
          See also
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          Swahili personal pronouns (m-wa class(I/II))
          person independent subject concord object
          concord
          combined forms possessive
          affirmative negative na ndi- si-
          singular first mimi ni- si- -ni- nami, na mimi ndimi, ndiye simi, siye -angu
          second wewe u- hu- -ku- nawe, na wewe ndiwe, ndiye siwe, siye -ako
          third yeye a-, yu- ha-, hayu- -m-, -mw-, -mu- naye, na yeye ndiye siye -ake
          plural first sisi tu- hatu- -tu- nasi, na sisi ndisi, ndio sio -etu
          second ninyi m-, mw-, mu- ham-, hamw-, hamu- -wa- nanyi, na ninyi ndinyi, ndio sinyi, sio -enu
          third wao wa- hawa- -wa- nao ndio sio -ao
          reflexive -ji-

          For a full table including other classes, see Appendix:Swahili personal pronouns.

          Tooro

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          Alternative forms

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          • (before /β/, /m/, /h/ or /p/) m-
          • (before a vowel) ny-

          Etymology

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          From Proto-Bantu *ǹ-.

          Pronunciation

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          • IPA(key): /n̩-/, (after /ɡ/ or /k/) [ŋ̩-], (after a vowel) /n-/

          Prefix

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          n-

          1. I, 1st person singular subject concord
            n- + ‎-kora (to do) → ‎nkora (I do)
          2. positive imperative form of -n- (me; 1st person singular object concord)
            n- + ‎-ha (to give) → ‎mpa (give me)

          See also

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          Tooro personal pronouns
          class person independent possessive subject
          concord
          object
          concord
          combined forms
          na ni
          class 1 first nyowe, nye -ange n- -n- nanyowe, nanye ninyowe, ninye
          second iwe -awe o- -ku- naiwe niiwe
          third uwe -e a- -mu- nawe nuwe
          class 2 first itwe -aitu tu- -tu- naitwe niitwe
          second inywe -anyu mu- -ba- nainywe niinywe
          third bo -abo ba- -ba- nabo nubo
          class 3 gwo -agwo gu- -gu- nagwo nugwo
          class 4 yo -ayo e- -gi- nayo niyo
          class 5 lyo -alyo li- -li- nalyo niryo
          class 6 go -ago ga- -ga- nago nugo
          class 7 kyo -akyo ki- -ki- nakyo nikyo
          class 8 byo -abyo bi- -bi- nabyo nibyo
          class 9 yo -ayo e- -gi- nayo niyo
          class 10 zo -azo zi- -zi- nazo nizo
          class 11 rwo -arwo ru- -ru- narwo nurwo
          class 12 ko -ako ka- -ka- nako nuko
          class 13 two -atwo tu- -tu- natwo nutwo
          class 14 bwo -abwo bu- -bu- nabwo nubwo
          class 15 kwo -akwo ku- -ku- nakwo nukwo
          class 16 ho -aho ha- -ha- naho nuho
          class 17 (kwo) N/A ha-
          (...-yo)
          -ha- N/A nukwo
          class 18 (mwo) -amwo ha-
          (...-mu)
          -ha- N/A numwo
          reflexive -enyini, -onyini -e-

          References

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          • Kaji, Shigeki (2007), A Rutooro Vocabulary[6], Tokyo: Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa (ILCAA), →ISBN, page 413

          Tumbuka

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          Etymology

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          Inherited from Proto-Bantu *ǹ-

          Prefix

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          n-

          1. Class 9 noun prefix.
          2. Class 10 noun prefix.

          Unami

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          Etymology

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          This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.
          Particularly: “Seemingly an inflected form of ni, though likely inherited.”

          Prefix

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          n-

          1. I, me, my. (Forms the first person.)
            n- (I) + ‎-t- (euphonic interfix) + ‎-àpi (be here) → ‎ntàpi (I am here)

          Wailaki

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          Etymology

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          From Proto-Athabaskan. Cognate with Navajo ni-, Ahtna ne-.

          Prefix

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          n-

          1. Marks a second person singular verbal subject.
            kʼenłit (kʼe-n-łit)
            you burn it
          edit
          Subject prefixes
          singular plural
          1st person sh-, i- di-
          2nd person n- oh-
          3rd person ∅-
          3rd person obviate yi-
          Indefinite chʼi-, ʼ-
          Areal ki-

          References

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          • Begay, Kayla Rae (2017), Wailaki Grammar, University of California, Berkeley, page 166

          Yao (Africa)

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          Etymology

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          Inherited from Proto-Bantu *ǹ- (1st person subject concord).

          Prefix

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          n-

          1. Class 1 subject concord, especially before consonants.

          References

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          • Rev. Alexander Hetherwick, M.A., F.R.G.S. (1902), A Handbook of the Yao Language[7], Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, page 32
          • Meredith Sanderson, M.R.C.S., F.R.G.S., F.R.A.I. (1922), A Yao Grammar[8], Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, page 36

          Ye'kwana

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          Etymology 1

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          Cognate to prefixes analyzed as object nominalizers, switching nominalized forms from nouns of action to nouns referring to the patient argument. The Caura River form has a rather different scope of use.

          Pronunciation

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          Prefix

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          n-

          1. Marks that (person markers on) a derivation from a transitive verb refer to the agent argument of the verb rather than the patient argument; used with verbs adverbialized with -e or nominalized with -dü or -'jüdü.
          Usage notes
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          This prefix comes between the person marker and the verb stem.

          Etymology 2

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          Alternative forms

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          • ni- (allomorph before a consonant)

          Pronunciation

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          Prefix

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          n-

          1. Marks a nonderived transitive verb as having a third-person agent/subject and patient/object.
          2. Marks a nonderived intransitive verb with agent-like or patient-like argument as having a third-person argument/subject.
          Usage notes
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          The form n- is used with stems that start with a vowel; ni- is used with those that start with a consonant, in which case the initial consonant is also palatalized.

          This person marker is used with all types of verbs when marked with originally nonderived tense/aspect/mood markers, excepting only the admonitive -'no and prohibitive -i negative command suffixes and the uncertain future marker -tai, which require the transcategorical third person marker y-, and the distant past markers, which require the distance-specific person morpheme kün-.

          Though in all other circumstances Ye'kwana third-person prefixes also cover the first person dual exclusive, this prefix is not used when the patient of a transitive verb is first-person-dual-exclusive.

          Inflection
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          References

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          • Cáceres, Natalia (2011), “n-”, in Grammaire Fonctionnelle-Typologique du Ye’kwana[9], Lyon, pages 152, 182–184, 190–191, 200, 202–203

          Zulu

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          Etymology

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          Inherited from Proto-Bantu *ǹ- (1st person subject concord).

          Prefix

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          n-

          1. Class 9 simple noun prefix.

          Usage notes

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          The variant form m- is used before stems beginning with a labial consonant (b, f, m, p, v).