Zhuang: Part 11: Structure of Words (1)

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Nouns
Nouns in the Zhuang language have a function to change into subject, object, complement and others including quantifiers.
It does not have inflection of masculinity/feminity, status, number that Indian/European languages have.

１．Nouns that indicate people:
vunz = people　　daegnuengx = (younger) brother　　lwgnyez = child　　lauxsae = teacher < 老師　　canghvaz < Zhang Hua (person’s name), etc.

２．Nouns that indicate objects:
vaiz = water buffulo　　bya = fish　　roeg = bird　　ci = car　　ruz = boat　　feihgih = airplane < 飛機
feiz = fire　　rumz = wind　　bya = mountains（魚と同音異義語 a homonym of fish）　　swhsiengj < 思想, thought/idea　　dauhlei < 道理, reason/sense
dauhdwz < 道徳, morals　  etc.

３．Nouns that indicate time:
bi = year　　ndwen = month　　ngoenz = day　　seizneix = present/now　　gyanghaet = morning　　ngoenzcog = tomorrow
seizcin = Spring　　doengbaez = old times/the past　  etc.

４．Nouns that indicate place:
Baekging < 北京 Beijing　　Namzningz < 南寧 Nanning　　Gvangjsih < 広西 Guangxi　　gizgyae = far away　  etc.

５．Nouns that indicate direction:
gwnz = up　　laj = down　　naj = before　　laeng = after　　doeng < 東 East　　sae < 西 West　　namz < 南 South　　baek < 北 North
swix = left　　gvaz = right　　ndaw = 〜center　　rog = 〜outside/outter　　  etc.

Tags: lessons, structure of words