Page:A Concise Grammar of the Malagasy Language.djvu/50

 2. It is used generically, with reference to the whole of a class; as, nỳ vòrona, 'birds' (or, the birds). This is the only sense in which nỳ can be used with proper names; as, nỳ Màlagàsy, 'Malagasy' (as a nation).

3. It is used in general comparisons after words implying likeness (as tòy, tàhaka, &c.); as, tòy nỳ vòrona, 'like birds'.

4. It is used before a noun when made definite by a suffixed pronoun; as, nỳ sàtroko, 'the hat of me', i.e. my hat.

5. It is used with abstract nouns; as, nỳ màrina, 'truth'.

6. With the words anànkirày (certain), sasàny (some), rèhetra (all), and màro (many), the Malagasy often use the article where the English dispense with it; as,


 * nỳ lèhilàhy anànkirày, 'a certain man'.
 * nỳ òlona sasàny, 'some people'.
 * nỳ òlona rehètra, 'all people' (or, all the people).
 * nỳ òlona màro, 'many people'.

b (when omitted):—

1. Before nouns in apposition; as, Heròdra mpanjàka, 'Herod the king', (or, King Herod).

2. Before nouns in the vocative case; as, Rainày izày àny an-dànitra, 'Our father who (art) in heaven'!

3. Before predicates; as, sàtroko ìo, 'that is my hat'.

4. Before accusatives when they are adverbial, instrumental, or limiting.

5. After nò in some idiomatic phrases, where nò seems equivalent to nỳ or izày; as, hòy nò navàliny àzy, or hòy nỳ navàliny àzy.