The genitive (possessive) case 1: indefinite
An tuiseal ginideach iolra 1: neo-chinnteach
In A2 we met an tuiseal ginideach , the genitive (possessive) case. We use this case to indicate ownership. However we can also use it to show association.
We learnt about:
- ainmearan singilte (singular nouns) in Cuspair 5 (Aig an Taigh) and Cuspair 8 (Cur‑seachadan); and we also learned about:
- ainmearan iolra (plural nouns) in A2 Cuspair 4 (Daoine is Dàimhean).
The first rule to remember is that indefinite genitive (possessive) plurals all lenite , where possible.
| bliadhna | bliadhnaichean | tòrr bh liadhnaichean | a lot of years |
| bràthair | bràithrean | dithis bh ràithrean | two brothers (a twosome of brothers) |
| briosgaid | briosgaidean | pacaid bh riosgaidean | a packet of biscuits |
| clas | clasaichean | barrachd ch lasaichean | more classes (an additional number of classes) |
| cùrsa | cùrsaichean | tuilleadh ch ùrsaichean | more courses (an additional number of courses) |
| duine | daoine | mòran dh aoine | many people (a great number of people) |
| oidhche | oidhcheannan | grunn oidhcheannan | a good number of nights |
The second rule is that plural genitives should have broad endings, where possible. In some cases, this means that the genitive plural is the same as the nominative singular .
| balach | balaich | còignear bh alach | five boys (‘a fivesome of boys’) |
| òran | òrain | grunn òrain | a good deal of songs |
| cat | cait | tòrr ch at | lots of cats |
| cù | coin | mòran ch on | many dogs (‘a lot of dogs’) |
| oileanach | oileanaich | mòran oileanach | many students (‘a lot of students’) |
| buidheann | buidhnean | tuilleadh bhuidhnean | more groups (‘an extra number of groups’) |
A good dictionary should detail these variations in each entry. You can also find these online in the LearnGaelic faclair (dictionary).