 | Greek nouns that can change their gender |
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I've been taught that a cat in greek is η γάτα (F)... However, I've heard it is also an exception where you can change its gender to male and call it γάτος. Why is this and can you give me a few more examples where I can change the noun's gender? Thank you in advance. |
| Re: Greek nouns that can change their gender |
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Just as in English, a number of Greek nouns for animate (living) things, often domesticated animals, differentiate between biological male and biological female. The noun for a male is usually grammatically masculine (ο), while the noun for a female is grammatically feminine (η). A few common examples are: ταύρος - bull, αγελάδα - cow γάτος - male cat, γάτα (L68) - female cat κόκορας - rooster, κότα (L94) - hen λαγός - male rabbit, λαγίνα - female rabbit (doe) λέωντας - male lion, λέαινα - female lion (lioness) λύκος - male wolf, λύκαινα - female wolf σκύλος (L16) - male dog, σκύλα - female dog (b-i-t-c-h) τράγος - male goat (ram), κατσίκα - female goat (doe) χοίρος - male pig (boar), γουρούνα - female pig (sow) For some animals a grammatical neuter (το) has evolved which represents the animal in general, irrespective of biological gender. However, even these generalized neuters often retain a separate word for specifically referring to a female. For example: άλογο - horse (f. φοράδα, mare) βόδι - ox, steer (f. αγελάδα) γαϊδούρι - donkey (f. γαϊδούρα) γεράκι - hawk, falcon (f. γερακίνα) γίδι - goat (f. γίδα) γουρούνι - pig (f. γουρούνα) ελάφι - deer, elk (f. ελαφίνα, doe) λιοντάρι (L102) - lion (f. λέαινα, lioness) περιστέρι - dove, pigeon (f. περιστέρα) πρόβατο - sheep (f. προβατίνα, ewe) Regards, Greg Brush [originally posted Monday, 21 March 2016, 08:01 PM] |
