The Definite Article (just the basics)

In English, the definite article is the word "the". In Somali, this is

expressed by a suffix which begins with "K" for masculine nouns and "T"

for feminine nouns.

If the noun is referred to for the first time or if the noun is not known to the

speaker, we use the suffix "KA" or "TA".

Dukaan (a shop) Dukaanka (the shop)

Naag (a woman) Naagta (the woman)

If the noun has already been referred to or is already known then the

definite article suffix becomes "Kii" or "Tii"

Dukaankii (the already known shop)

Naagtii (the already known woman)

However, the definite article suffix (KA or TA) will change depending on the ending of the noun.  The following posts illustrate the rules for these changes.