The suffix -cho is added to
the singular adjectives to specify the noun. -cho is optionally
preceded by ba.
There is no semantic difference between -ba and -bacho and both
can occur with any kind of noun. |
Prefix a- is added to the
noun in an adjectival construction if the noun is psecified or after
plural demonstrative adjective. |
Interrogative Pronouns |
ko- is the interrogative
prefix that is used to form interrogative pronons in Karbi. The interrogative pronouns are listed
below: |
(ko)pi,
(ko)pí
lo, (ko)píma |
‘what’ |
pílo, píchi
|
‘why’ |
konat, (ko) natchi |
‘where’ |
(ko) mantu (lo), (ko)
mantu (po),mantuchi |
‘when’ |
(ko) mat (lo), (ko) matchi |
‘who’ |
kolo |
‘which’ |
kochon |
‘how’ |
koan |
‘how many’ |
|
‘how much’ |
(ko) mat |
‘whose’ |
|
|
It may be noted that from the
above that pí ‘what, mat
‘who’ and mantu ‘when’ can express interrogation without the
interrogative marker ko. The tense markers -lo and -po
and the specific marker -chi can be added to
many of these pronouns. All the above pronouns except kolo have a base (pí,
nat, mat, etc.) to which the affixes are added. |
The interrogative adjectives are
formally same as the pronouns but the adjectival prefix a- is added
to the following noun.
|
pí akitap
|
‘what book’ |
kolo aro |
‘which village’ |
|
Few sentences are given below to
illustrate the use of interrogative pronouns, adjectives and adverbs.
|
nali men
kopí |
‘what is your name?’ |
pí
akitap (lo) lahuy
|
‘what books are these?’ |
|
|