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RV 35 (Rh) The suffix /-(ı)n/ (/-ın/ after consonants, /-n/ after vowels) must always be used:

Note 4.6 Prepositions.

Amharic prepositions are usually inseparable from the word they precede. These 'prefix prepositions' lose their vowel when prefixed to words beginning with a vowel in accordance with the patterns listed in Note 3.3.

If, however, the prepositions are said as separate words the vowel is not lost, e.g.

/bamarıñña/ or /bə amarıñña/ 'in Amharic'.

Note 4.6.1 Preposition /b(ə)-/ 'to, by, in, at, on' and /bəst(ə)-/ 'to', 'in the direction of'.

The prefix preposition /b(ə)-/ (/bə-/ before consonants, /b-/ before vowels) is used in equivalents to English prepositions 'to, by, in, at, on' and the prefix /bəst(ə)-/ (/bestə-/ before consonants and /bəst-/ before vowels) in equivalent to English 'to' with reference to specific directions, such as 'to the right', 'to the left', 'to the north', 'to the south', etc.

Other usages of the prefix /b(ə-)/ will be taken up in later units.