Noun – 1st Declension -α, -ας

ObjectivesLearning objectives

• Greek’s three noun declensions
• The morphology of 1st Declension nouns ending with -α, -ας

VocabularyVocabulary

Table 54 (continued)

NoteGeneral Greek: Noun declensions

We have talked about nouns in Greek as if they were only masculine, feminine, or neuter, and we have associated certain endings on the nouns with those genders. This has been an oversimplification, but in doing so, we have been able to connect the gender of nouns with the gender of the definite article. In actuality, Greek noun endings are dependent upon their declension, not the gender. A noun declension is a group of nouns that have similar case and number endings. There are three declensions in Greek, and you have learned two so far: the 1st and 2nd declension. Most 1st declension nouns have feminine gender and end in η or α, e.g. ἀδελφή is 1st declension. Second declension nouns are normally masculine or neuter and end in ο or ω, e.g. ἀδελφός and τέκνον are 2nd declension. All feminine nouns you have learned so far have been 1st declension, and all masculine and neuter nouns you have learned have been 2nd declension. Third declension is introduced in later lessons.

MorphologyMorphology: Noun – 1st Declension -α, -ας

• 1st declension nouns that have ε, ι, or ρ immediately preceding the case/number ending cause the ending to change from η to α in the singular (e.g. θύρα, not θύρη).
• The gen sg and acc pl forms end up being identical, since the gen sg ending becomes -ας after the change from η to α (context normally makes clear which case is being intended).