Rengdêr · Add detail and ownership
Use yê, ya and yên to expand a description.
By the end of this lessonAttach an adjective to a possessed noun and combine descriptions without changing the head noun.
The idea
To describe a possessed noun, add an ezafe extender that agrees with the thing described: kitêba min ya nû (my new book), xaniyê min yê mezin (my big house), kitêbên min yên nû (my new books). Ya is feminine singular, yê masculine singular and yên plural. The owner’s gender does not choose the extender. You can also add another adjective: kitêba nû ya sor.
See it in a sentence
Two adjectives can also be coordinated with û: kitêba nû û sor. Learn what the adjective describes, not just the nearest pronoun. Compare kitêba min ya nû (a noun phrase) with Kitêba min nû ye (a complete sentence). Gelek can strengthen a predicate: Ode gelek germ e (The room is very warm).
Build it step by step
- Identify the head noun: book, house or books.
- Finish the possession phrase, then add the matching extender.
- Choose whether you want another modifier or a full sentence with a copula.
| Head noun | Extender | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Feminine singular | ya | kitêba min ya nû |
| Masculine singular | yê | xaniyê wê yê mezin |
| Plural | yên | kitêbên min yên nû |
| Two adjectives | ya | kitêba nû ya sor |
| Coordinated adjectives | û | kitêba nû û sor |
Take a sentence apart
books: plural ezafe
my: the owner
new: describes the plural books
English combines “my new books” without a linking word; Kurmanji uses both -ên and yên here.
A common trap
Incorrect: kitêbên min ya nû
Correct: kitêbên min yên nû
Use plural yên to match the books.
Grammar reference: Thackston, § 5 · Extending adjective and possession phrases