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11. Object Pronoun Prefixes

The object pronoun prefixes are as follows:


             
Person  Singular  Dual  Distributive  
shi-  nahi-  daanahi-  
ni- 
bi-  góbi daabi-, daagóbi
yi-  góyi daayi-, daagóyi
3a  go-  go-  daago-  
Indef.  'i-  'i-  daa'i-  


The reflexive pronoun is 'á- or 'ád-, the former preceding a consonant, the latter a vowel. The reciprocal prefix is 'ił-.

The two third person prefixes are distinguished as follows. The third person object is ordinarily indicated by zero when the subject is other than third person, and by yi- when the subject is also third person. Some verbs, however, require the third person to be expressed in all forms; in these, the prefix bi- is employed when the subject is other than third person.

When any of the prefixes are followed by a vocalic suffix, they lose their vowels. The 3a prefix, under such circumstances, becomes k-.