Locative Forms & PrepositionsThere are many rules of speech in this part of Anishinaabemowin. It is very challenging to learn and to teach. There is a certain way to ask a question and answer a question in singular and plural form. Then there is a certain way in the animate form, because it depends on whether the animate object has a heartbeat or not. Prepositions are words like "on" (gidji), "in" (biinji), "under" (naami), etc. Locative forms have a suffix like "ang", "ing" or "ong", but prepositions can also be locative words, with the addition of these suffixes: "gidjiing", "biinjiing", "naamiing".
Inanimate Questions and Answers |
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Singular |
Plural |
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Aanii piish (mzinigan) teg? |
Aanii piish (mziniganan) tegin? |
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Where are the (magazines/books) at? |
Where are the (magazines/books ) at? |
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( Gidji) (dopwaanhsing) te we (mzinigan). |
(Gidji) (dopwaanhsing) tenoon newe (mziniganan). |
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(On the) (small table), is the (magazine/book). |
(On the) (small table), are the (books). |
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Animate questions & answers ( animate objects) |
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Singular |
Plural |
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Aanii piish (zhibiiganaatik) bit? |
Aanii piish (zhibiiganaatikok) biwat? |
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Where is the (pen/pencil) at? |
Where are the (pens/pencils) at? |
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(Gidji) (dopwining) bi wa (zhibiiganaatik). |
(Gidji) (dopwining) biwok gewe (zhibiiganaatikok). |
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(On the) (table ) at, is the (pencil/pen ). |
(On the) (table ) at, are the (pencils/pens). |
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Animate questions & answers ( living with heartbeat) |
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Singular |
Plural |
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Aanii piish (gaazhag) yaat? |
Aanii piish (gaazhagak) yaawat? |
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Where is (cat ) at? |
Where are (cats ) at? |
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(Gidji) (pabwining) yaa wa (gaazhag). |
(Gidji) (pabwining) yaawok gewe (gaazhagak). |
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(On the) (chair) at, is (cat). |
(On the) (cahir ) at, are the (cats). |
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