a

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word a. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word a, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say a in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word a you have here. The definition of the word a will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofa, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
See also: A, ᴀ, and Appendix:Variations of "a"

a U+0061, a
LATIN SMALL LETTER A
← `
 		Basic Latin b →
ᵃ U+1D43, ᵃ
MODIFIER LETTER SMALL A
← ᵂ
 		Phonetic Extensions ᵄ →
ａ U+FF41, ａ
FULLWIDTH LATIN SMALL LETTER A
← ｀
 		Halfwidth and Fullwidth Forms ｂ →

Translingual

Etymology 1

Approximate form of Greek upper case Α (a, “alpha”) that was the source for both common variants of a Modification of capital A.

Pronunciation

  • (letter, most languages): IPA(key): /ɑː/, /a/ Big Nambas
  • IPA(file)

Letter

a (upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the basic modern Latin alphabet.
    (superscript) See ª.

Symbol

a

  1. (IPA, phonetics) an open front or central unrounded vowel.
  2. (IPA, superscript ⟨ᵃ⟩) -coloring or a weak, fleeting, epenthetic or echo .
  3. (international standards) transliterates Indic अ (or equivalent).

See also

Further reading

Etymology 2

Abbreviation of atto-, from Danish atten (“eighteen”).

Symbol

a

  1. atto-, prefix for 10-18 in the International System of Units.

Etymology 3

From Latin annum or annus.

Symbol

a

  1. Year as a unit of time, specifically a Julian year or 365.25 days.

Etymology 4

Abbreviation of are, from French are.

Symbol

a

  1. An are, a unit of area one hundredth of a hectare; ares.

Etymology 5

Abbreviation of English acceleration.

Symbol

a

  1. (physics) acceleration

Etymology 6

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “from annuity?”)

Symbol

a

  1. (actuarial notation) Annuity; (specifically) annuity-immediate.
    ax:n̅| ― n-year annuity-immediate to a person currently age x
    ax ― life annuity-immediate to a person currently age x
The template Template:Letter does not use the parameter(s): 
Character=A1
Please see Module:checkparams for help with this warning.

Other representations of A:

Gallery

  • Letter styles
  • Uppercase and lowercase versions of A, in normal and italic type
    Uppercase and lowercase versions of A, in normal and italic type
  • Uppercase and lowercase A in Fraktur
    Uppercase and lowercase A in Fraktur
  • Approximate form of Greek uppercase Α (a, “alpha”), the source of both common variants of a A in uncial script
    Approximate form of Greek uppercase Α (a, “alpha”), the source of both common variants of a A in uncial script

English

Etymology 1

Runic letter ᚫ (a, “ansuz”), source for Anglo-Saxon Futhorc letters replaced by a
Runic letter ᚫ (a, “ansuz”), source for Anglo-Saxon Futhorc letters replaced by a

From Middle English and Old English lower case letter a and split of Middle English and Old English lower case letter æ.

  • Anglo-Saxon Futhorc letter ᚪ (a, “āc”) Old English lower case letter a from 7th century replacement by Latin lower case letter a of the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc letter ᚪ (a, “āc”), derived from Runic letter ᚫ (a, “Ansuz”).
  • Anglo-Saxon Futhorc letter æsc (æ) Old English lower case letter æ from 7th century replacement by Latin lower case ligature æ of the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc letter ᚫ (æ, “æsc”), also derived from Runic letter ᚫ (a, “Ansuz”).

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Letter

a (lowercase, uppercase A, plural as or a's)

  1. The first letter of the English alphabet, written in the Latin script.
Usage notes
Derived terms
See also

Numeral

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The ordinal number first, derived from this letter of the English alphabet, called a and written in the Latin script.

Noun

a (plural aes)

  1. The name of the Latin script letter A / a.
Alternative forms
Derived terms
Translations
See a/translations § Noun.
See also

Etymology 2

From Middle English a, an, from Old English ān (“one; a; lone; sole”). More at one. The "n" was gradually lost before consonants in almost all dialects by the 15th century. Cognate with Alemannic German a (“a, an”), East Franconian a (“a, an”).

Pronunciation

Article

a (indefinite)

  1. One; any indefinite example of.
    There was a man here looking for you yesterday.
    • 1992, Rudolf M Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, New York, N.Y.: Columbia University Press, →ISBN, page vii:
      With fresh material, taxonomic conclusions are leavened by recognition that the material examined reflects the site it occupied; a herbarium packet gives one only a small fraction of the data desirable for sound conclusions. Herbarium material does not, indeed, allow one to extrapolate safely: what you see is what you get […]
    • 2005, Emily Kingsley (lyricist), Kevin Clash (voice actor), “A Cookie is a Sometime Food”, Sesame Street, season 36, Sesame Workshop:
      Hoots the Owl: Yes a, fruit, is a , any, time, food!
    • 2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)
      Anna, do you have a pen? — Yes. I have a pen in my bag. I have a (stressed) …
      Audio (US)(file)
  2. One; used before score, dozen, hundred, thousand, million, etc.
    I've seen it happen a hundred times.
  3. Used in some phrases denoting quantity, such as a few, a good many, a couple, a little (for an uncountable noun), etc.
    They asked me a few questions.
  4. Used in some adverbial phrases denoting degree or extent, such as a little, a bit, a lot, etc.
    The door was opened a little.
  5. The same; one and the same. Used in phrases such as of a kind, birds of a feather, etc.
    We are of a mind on matters of morals.
    They're two of a kind.
  6. Any; every; used before a noun which has become modified to limit its scope.
    A man who dies intestate leaves his children troubles and difficulties.
  7. Any; used with a negative to indicate not a single one.
    It was so dark that we couldn't see a thing.
    He fell all that way, and hasn't a bump on his head?
  8. Used before an adjective that modifies a noun (singular or plural) delimited by a numeral.
    a staggering three million dollars
    The holidays are a mere one week away.
  9. One; someone named; used before a person's name, suggesting that the speaker knows little about the person other than the name.
    We've received an interesting letter from a Mrs. Miggins of London.
  10. Used before an adjective modifying a person's name.
    • 2018, “Rwandan court drops all charges against opposition figure”, in Associated Press:
      "I will continue my campaign to fight for the rights of all Rwandans," a surprised but happy Rwigara told reporters after celebrating.
  11. Someone or something like; similar to; Used before a proper noun to create an example out of it.
    The center of the village was becoming a Times Square.
    The man is a regular Romeo.
Usage notes
Main appendix: English articles#Indefinite articles
  • In standard English, the article a is used before consonant sounds, while an is used before vowel sounds; for more, see the usage notes about an.
Derived terms
Translations
See an/translations § Article.
See also

Etymology 3

Pronunciation

Preposition

a

  1. To do with separation; In, into.
    Torn a pieces.
  2. To do with time; Each, per, in, on, by. Often occurs between two nouns, where the first noun occurs at the end of a verbal phrase.
    I brush my teeth twice a day.
  3. To do with status; In.
  4. (archaic) To do with position or direction; In, on, at, by, towards, onto.
    Stand a tiptoe.
  5. (archaic) To do with process, with a passive verb; In the course of, experiencing.
  6. (archaic) To do with an action, an active verb; Engaged in.
  7. (archaic) To do with an action/movement; To, into.
  8. (obsolete) To do with method; In, with.
  9. (obsolete) To do with role or capacity; In.
    A God’s name.
Usage notes
  • (position, direction): Can also be attached without a hyphen, as aback, ahorse, afoot. See a-
  • (separation): Can also be attached without hyphen, as asunder. See a-
  • (status): Can also be attached without hyphen, as afloat, awake. See a-.
  • (process): Can also be attached with or without hyphen, as a-changing
See also

Etymology 4

From Middle English a, ha contraction of have, or haven.

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Verb

a

  2. (archaic or slang) Have.
    I'd a come, if you'd a asked.
    • 1884, Robert Holland, M.R.A.C., A Glossary of Words Used in the County of Chester, volume Part I--A to F., London: English Dialect Society, page 1:
      Oi'd a gen im a clout, if oi'd been theer.
    • c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies  (First Folio), London: Isaac Iaggard, and Ed Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
      So would I a done by yonder ſunne
      ?And thou hadſt not come to my bed.
Usage notes
  • Now often attached to preceding auxiliary verb. See -a.
Derived terms

Etymology 5

From Middle English a, a reduced form of he (“he”)/ha (“he”), heo (“she”)/ha (“she”), ha (“it”), and hie, hie (“they”).

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Pronoun

a

  1. (obsolete outside England and Scotland dialects) He, she, they: the third-person singular or plural nominative.
    • 1855, Kingsley, W. Ho!, page 120 (edition of 1889):
      He've a got a great venture on hand, but what a be he tell'th no man.
    • 1864, Tennyson, N. Farmer, Old Style, st. 2:
      Doctors, they knaws nowt, fur a says what's nawways true.
    1. (obsolete outside England and Scotland dialects) He, the third-person singular nominative.
      • 1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies  (First Folio), London: Isaac Iaggard, and Ed Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, :
        a’ brushes his hat o’ mornings.
      • 1795, Peter Pindar, The Royal Visit to Exeter, a Political Epistle: by John Ploughshare ... published by Peter Pindar, Esq, page 5:
        Well! in a come [in he came]—KING GEORGE to town, / With doust and zweat az netmeg brown, / The hosses all in smoke;
      • 1860, Kite, Sng. Sol., ii, 16:
        A do veed amang th' lilies.
      • 1864, Tennyson, N. Farmer, Old Style, st. 7, version of 1917, Raymond Macdonald Alden, Alfred Tennyson, how to Know Him, page 226:
        "The amoighty's a taakin' o' you to 'issén, my friend," a said,
    2. (obsolete outside England and Scotland dialects) She, the third-person singular nominative.
      • 1790, Grose, MS. add. (M.):
        A wanted me to go with her.
      • 1876, Bound, Prov.:
        Did a do it!
      • 1883, Hardy, Tover, page 124 (edition of 1895):
        A's getting wambling on her pins .

Etymology 6

From Middle English of, with apocope of the final f and vowel reduction.

Alternative forms

  • o', o (preposition)

Pronunciation

Preposition

a

  2. (archaic or slang) Of.
    The name of John a Gaunt.
Usage notes
  • Often attached without a hyphen to preceding word.

Etymology 7

From Northern Middle English aw, alteration of all.

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Adverb

a (not comparable)

  1. (chiefly Scotland) All.

Adjective

a (not comparable)

  1. (chiefly Scotland) All.

Etymology 8

Symbols

Symbol

a

  1. Distance from leading edge to aerodynamic center.
  2. specific absorption coefficient
  3. specific rotation
  4. allele (recessive)

Etymology 9

Adverb

a

  1. (crosswords) across
    Do you have the answer for 23a?
  2. (chiefly US) Alternative spelling of a.m. (“ante meridiem”) or am

Etymology 10

Particle

a

  1. Alternative form of -a (“empty syllable added to songs, poetry, verse and other speech”)
    • 2001, Louis F. Newcomb, Car Salesman: A Legacy, iUniverse (→ISBN), page 91:
      “I show a you right a here I can fuck a you.” “Is she crazy?” I asked Wyman.

Etymology 11

Borrowed from Russian а (a).

Noun

a

  1. The name of the Cyrillic script letter А / а.

Translations

See a/translations § Cyrillic.

Etymology 12

Interjection

a

  1. ah; er (sound of hesitation)
    • 1847 January – 1848 July, William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair , London: Bradbury and Evans , published 1848, →OCLC:
      "We will resume yesterday's discourse, young ladies," said he, "and you shall each read a page by turns; so that Miss a—Miss Short may have an opportunity of hearing you"; and the poor girls began to spell a long dismal sermon delivered at Bethesda Chapel, Liverpool, on behalf of the mission for the Chickasaw Indians.

Etymology 13

Abbreviations.

  1. (stenoscript) a word-initial letter ⟨a⟩.
  2. (stenoscript) the long vowel /eɪ/ at the end of a word, or before a final consonant that is not /dʒ, v, z/. (Note: the final consonant is not written; counts as /eɪr/.)
    Thus the word a, plus its inflection an.
  3. (stenoscript) the word a.m.
  4. (stenoscript) the prefix ad-.

Quotations

Additional quotations for any terms on this page may be found at Citations:a.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gove, Philip Babcock, (1976)
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 Brown, Lesley, (2003)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lindberg, Christine A. (2007)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Oxford University Press, (2023)

Further reading

Abau

Pronunciation

IPA(key): /a/

Noun

a

  1. house

Afar

Pronunciation

Determiner

á

  1. this, these (masculine)

Derived terms

See also

See Template:aa-demonstrative determiners.

References

  • E. M. Parker, R. J. Hayward (1985) “a”, in An Afar-English-French dictionary (with Grammatical Notes in English), University of London, →ISBN
  • Mohamed Hassan Kamil (2015) L’afar: description grammaticale d’une langue couchitique (Djibouti, Erythrée et Ethiopie)‎, Paris: Université Sorbonne Paris Cité (doctoral thesis)

Albanian

Etymology 1

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Conjunction

a

  1. or
  2. there

Etymology 2

From Proto-Albanian *(h)an, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂en (“there”). Cognate with Latin an (“yes, perhaps”). Interrogative particle, usually used proclitically in simple sentences.

Pronunciation

Particle

a

  1. probably, perhaps
  2. whether

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Standard Albanian Latin-script alphabet.

See also

References

  1. ^ Orel, Vladimir E. (1998) “a part. ('whether'), conj. ('or')”, in Albanian Etymological Dictionary, Leiden, Boston, Köln: Brill, →ISBN, page 1
  2. ^ Mann, S. E. (1948) “a”, in An Historical Albanian–English Dictionary, London: Longmans, Green & Co., page 1

Further reading

  • “a”, in FGJSSH: Fjalor i gjuhës së sotme shqipe [Dictionary of the modern Albanian language]‎ (in Albanian), 1980
  • “a”, in FGJSH: Fjalor i gjuhës shqipe [Dictionary of the Albanian language] (in Albanian), 2006

Ama

Pronunciation

Noun

a

  1. tree

Anguthimri

Verb

a

  1. (transitive, Mpakwithi) to pull

References

  • Terry Crowley, The Mpakwithi dialect of Anguthimri (1981), page 184

Aragonese

Etymology

From Latin illa.

Article

a f sg

  1. the
    a luenga aragonesa ― the Aragonese language

Asturian

Etymology

From Latin ad.

Pronunciation

Preposition

a

  1. to, towards

Derived terms

Noun

a f

  1. a (the name of the letter A, a)

Azerbaijani

Pronunciation

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Azerbaijani alphabet, written in the Latin script.

See also

Bambara

Article

a

  1. the (definite article).

Interjection

a

  1. ah (expression of surprise)
  2. eh (expression of reluctance)

Pronoun

a

  1. they, them (plural)
  2. he, she, they (singular)

Synonyms

  • (they): u

Basque

Pronunciation

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Basque alphabet, written in the Latin script.

See also

Noun

a (indeclinable)

  1. The name of the Latin-script letter A.

See also

Bavarian

Etymology 1

Cognate with German ein, eine, Yiddish אַ (a), אַן (an).

Pronunciation

Article

a

  1. a
See also
Bavarian articles
m n f pl
stressed unstressed stressed unstressed stressed unstressed stressed unstressed
definite nominative der, da — das, es, des 's de d' de d'
accusative en, den 'n
dative em, dem 'm em, dem 'm der, da —
genitive1 des des der, da der, da
indefinite nominative a — a — a —
accusative an 'n
dative am 'm am 'm a, ana 'na
1) higher, formal register
  • oa (“one”, determiner)

Etymology 2

Unstressed form of ea

Pronunciation

Pronoun

a

  1. he
See also
Bavarian personal pronouns
nominative accusative dative
stressed unstressed stressed unstressed stressed unstressed
1st person singular i — mi — mia (mir) ma
2nd person singular
(informal) 		du — di — dia (dir) da
2nd person singular
(formal) 		Sie — Eahna — Eahna —
3rd person singular m er a eahm 'n eahm 'n
n es, des 's des 's
f se, de 's se 's ihr —
1st person plural mia (mir) ma uns — uns —
2nd person plural eß, ihr — enk, eich — enk, eich —
3rd person plural se 's eahna — eahna —

Etymology 3

Cognate with German auch.

Adverb

a

  1. Alternative form of aa: also, too, as well

Belizean Creole

Preposition

a

  1. of

References

  • Crosbie, Paul, ed. (2007), Kriol-Inglish Dikshineri: English-Kriol Dictionary. Belize City: Belize Kriol Project, p. 19.

Big Nambas

Pronunciation

Preposition

a

  1. in

References

Breton

Etymology 1

From Proto-Brythonic *o, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂pó.

Pronunciation

Preposition

a (triggers soft mutation)

  1. from (expresses origin)
    tud a Vrest ― people from Brest
  2. of (indicates an amount)
    un tamm brav a gig ― a nice piece of meat
  3. of (expresses a quality)
    ur plac’h a enor ― a girl of honour
  4. after certain adjectives or adverbs expressing quantity
    ur voutailh leun a sistr ― a bottle full of cider
  5. after ordinal numbers with a plural noun
    tri a vugale ― three children
  6. used in negative sentences with the grammatical object
    nʼem eus ket ken a vutun ― I donʼt have any more tobacco
  7. before the infinitive after certain verbs like paouez, mirout, diwall, c'hwitañ
    paouezet eo ar glav a gouezhañ ― it has stopped raining
  8. after substantivized adjectives used as nouns
    ur vrav a blacʼh ― a pretty girl
  9. combined with a personal pronoun
    gwelet em boa acʼhanout ― I saw you
    an den a gomzan anezhañ ― the man Iʼm talking about
Inflection
  Personal forms of a  
singular plural
1 ac'hanon 1 ac'hanomp
2 ac'hanout 2 ac'hanoc'h
3 m anezhañ 3 anezho
3 f anezhi
imp. ac'hanor

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

Particle

a (triggers soft mutation)

  1. preverbal particle used when
    1. the subject precedes the verb
      ar mor a zo glas ― the sea is blue
    2. the object precedes the verb
      an den-se a glevan ― I hear that man

Pronoun

a (triggers soft mutation)

  1. (relative) that, which, who (used in 'direct' relative clauses, i.e. where the pronoun refers to the subject or the direct object of an inflected verb)
    an hini a garan ― the one whom I love

Cameroon Pidgin

Pronoun

a

  1. Alternative spelling of I (“1st person singular subject personal pronoun”)

Catalan

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Catalan alphabet, written in the Latin script.
Derived terms
See also

Etymology 2

From Latin ad.

Pronunciation

Preposition

a

  1. in, at; indicating a particular time or place
    Sóc a Barcelona.
    I am in Barcelona.
  2. to; indicating movement towards a particular place
    Vaig a Barcelona.
    I'm going to Barcelona.
  3. to; indicating a target or indirect object
    Escric una carta a la meva àvia.
    I'm writing my grandmother a letter.
  4. per
  5. by
    dia a dia.
    day by day.
Usage notes
  • When the preposition a is followed by a masculine definite article, el or els, it is contracted with it to the forms al and als respectively. If el would be elided to the form l’ because it is before a word beginning with a vowel, the elision to a l’ takes precedence over contracting to al.

The same occurs with the salat article es, to form as except where es would be elided to s’.

Derived terms

Chayuco Mixtec

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Conjunction

a

  1. or

References

  • Pensinger, Brenda J. (1974) Diccionario mixteco-español, español-mixteco (Serie de vocabularios y diccionarios indígenas “Mariano Silva y Aceves”; 18)‎ (in Spanish), México, D.F.: El Instituto Lingüístico de Verano en coordinación con la Secretaría de Educación Pública a través de la Dirección General de Educación Extraescolar en el Medio Indígena, pages 3, 110

Chibcha

Pronunciation

Noun

a

  1. open mouth
  2. smell, taste

References

  • Gómez Aldana D. F., Análisis morfológico del Vocabulario 158 de la Biblioteca Nacional de Colombia. Grupo de Investigación Muysccubun. 2013.

Choctaw

Conjunction

a

  1. yes

Chuukese

Pronunciation

Pronoun

a

  1. he
  2. she
  3. it

Adjective

a

  1. he is
  2. she is
  3. it is

Related terms

Present and past tense Negative tense Future Negative future Distant future Negative determinate
Singular First person ua use upwe usap upwap ute
Second person ka, ke kose, kese kopwe, kepwe kosap, kesap kopwap, kepwap kote, kete
Third person a ese epwe esap epwap ete
Plural First person aua (exclusive)
sia (inclusive)		 ause (exclusive)
sise (inclusive)		 aupwe (exclusive)
sipwe (inclusive)		 ausap (exclusive)
sisap (inclusive)		 aupwap (exclusive)
sipwap (inclusive)		 aute (exclusive)
site (inclusive)
Second person oua ouse oupwe ousap oupwap oute
Third person ra, re rese repwe resap repwap rete


Cimbrian

Alternative forms

  • an (Sette Comuni)

Etymology

From Middle High German ein, from Old High German ein, from Proto-West Germanic *ain.

Article

a (oblique masculine an)

  1. (Luserna) a, an
    Maria iz a lavròunaren. ― Maria is a Lavaronese.

References

Coatepec Nahuatl

Noun

a

  1. water

Cora

Particle

a

  1. outside
  2. out of view (from the speaker)
  3. entering a shallow domain; entering a domain in a shallow or restricted manner
    atyásuuna káasu hece
    The water is pouring into the (shallow) pan.

Antonyms

  • u (“inside; within view”)

References

  • Eugene Casad, Ronald Langacker (1985) “'Inside' and 'outside' in Cora grammar”, in International Journal of American Linguistics

Cornish

Etymology 1

Onomatopoeic

Pronunciation

Interjection

a

  1. ah

Etymology 2

Compare Welsh a

Pronunciation

Particle

a (triggers soft mutation)

  1. Inserted before the verb when a subject or direct object precedes the verb

Etymology 3

From Proto-Brythonic *o, from Proto-Celtic *ɸo, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂pó.

Pronunciation

Preposition

a (triggers soft mutation)

  1. of (expressing separation, origin, composition/substance or a quality)
  2. of (between a preceding large number and a following plural noun to express quantity)
  3. from (indicating provenance)

Inflection

  Standard Cornish
Singular Plural
First person ahanaf ahanan
Second person ahanas ahanowgh
Third person anodho (m)
anedhy (f)		 anodhans, anedha

Corsican

Etymology

From the earlier la.

Pronunciation

Article

a f (masculine u, masculine plural i, feminine plural e)

  1. the (feminine)

Usage notes

  • Before a vowel, a turns into l'

Pronoun

a f

  1. her, it (direct object)

Usage notes

  • Before a vowel, a turns into l'

See also

Corsican personal pronouns
Nominative Dative Accusative Disjunctive
Singular 1st person eiu mi mè
2nd person tù ti tè
3rd person m ellu li u, l' ellu
3rd person f ella a, l' ella
Plural 1st person noi ci noi
2nd person voi vi voi
3rd person m elli li i, l' elli
3rd person f elle e, l' elle

References

  • “a” in INFCOR: Banca di dati di a lingua corsa

Czech

Etymology

Inherited from Old Czech a, from Proto-Slavic *a, from Proto-Balto-Slavic *ō.

Pronunciation

Conjunction

a

  1. and

Further reading

  • a in Příruční slovník jazyka českého, 1935–1957
  • a in Slovník spisovného jazyka českého, 1960–1971, 1989

Dakota

Pronunciation

IPA(key): /a/

Letter

a (uppercase A)

  1. This term needs a translation to English. Please help out and add a translation, then remove the text {{rfdef}}.

See also

Dalmatian

Etymology

From Latin ad.

Preposition

a

  1. to
  2. at

Danish

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Danish alphabet, written in the Latin script.
See also

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

Noun

a n (singular definite a'et, plural indefinite a'er)

  1. The name of the letter A or a.
Inflection
Declension of a

gender 		Singular Plural
indefinite definite indefinite definite
nominative a a'et a'er a'erne
genitive a's a'ets a'ers a'ernes

Etymology 3

Alternative forms

  • à (unofficial but common)

Pronunciation

Preposition

a

  1. of, of...each, each containing
  2. at
  3. to, or

Etymology 4

Pronunciation

Verb

a

  1. imperative of ae

Dutch

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Dutch alphabet, written in the Latin script.
See also

Etymology 2

From Middle Dutch â, from Old Dutch ā, from Proto-Germanic *ahwō.

Alternative forms

  • aa (especially in names)
  • ie

Noun

a f (plural a's, diminutive aatje)

  2. (archaic) a stream or water
Related terms

Further reading

Etymology 3

From Middle Dutch jou, from Old Dutch *jū, a northern (Frisian?) variant of *iu, from Proto-Germanic *iwwiz, a West Germanic variant of *izwiz. Doublet of u.

Pronoun

a

  1. (Brabant) you
Synonyms

Egyptian

Romanization

a

  1. Manuel de Codage transliteration of ꜥ.

Emilian

Etymology

From Latin ego (“I”).

Pronunciation

Pronoun

a (personal, nominative case)

  1. I
  2. we
  3. you (plural)

Alternative forms

  • Becomes aj- before a vowel (proclitic).
  • Becomes -ja when acting as an enclitic.

Related terms

Emilian personal pronouns (strong forms)
Number Person Gender Disjunctive
(tonic) 		Nominative
(subject) 		Accusative
(direct complement) 		Dative
(indirect complement) 		Reflexive
(-self) 		Comitative
(with)
Singular First — mè a me mêg
Second — tè et te têg
Third Masculine ló al ge se sêg
Feminine lê la
Plural First Masculine nuēter a se nōsk
Feminine nuētri
Second Masculine vuēter a ve vōsk
Feminine vuētri
Third Masculine lôr i ge se sêg
Feminine el li

Esperanto

Pronunciation

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Esperanto alphabet, written in the Latin script.

See also

Noun

a (accusative singular a-on, plural a-oj, accusative plural a-ojn)

  1. The name of the Latin script letter A/a.

See also

Estonian

Etymology 1

 a on Estonian Wikipedia

Pronunciation

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Estonian alphabet, called aa and written in the Latin script.
See also

Noun

a (genitive a or a', partitive a-d or a'd)

  1. The letter a (the first letter of the Estonian alphabet)
  2. (music) A (note)
    Synonym: la
Declension
Declension of a (ÕS type 26i/idee, no gradation)
singular plural
nominative a- a-d
accusative nom.
gen. a-
genitive a-de
partitive a-d a-id
a-sid
illative a-sse a-desse
a-isse
inessive a-s a-des
a-is
elative a-st a-dest
a-ist
allative a-le a-dele
a-ile
adessive a-l a-del
a-il
ablative a-lt a-delt
a-ilt
translative a-ks a-deks
a-iks
terminative a-ni a-deni
essive a-na a-dena
abessive a-ta a-deta
comitative a-ga a-dega

(music):

Declension of a (ÕS type 26i/idee, no gradation)
singular plural
nominative a' a'd
accusative nom.
gen. a'
genitive a'de
partitive a'd a'id
a'sid
illative a'sse a'desse
a'isse
inessive a's a'des
a'is
elative a'st a'dest
a'ist
allative a'le a'dele
a'ile
adessive a'l a'del
a'il
ablative a'lt a'delt
a'ilt
translative a'ks a'deks
a'iks
terminative a'ni a'deni
essive a'na a'dena
abessive a'ta a'deta
comitative a'ga a'dega

Etymology 2

Clipping of aga. Probably influenced by Russian а (a).

Conjunction

a

  1. (colloquial, in fast speech) but

Etymology 3

Noun

a

  1. Abbreviation of aasta.
  2. Abbreviation of aar.

References

  • a in Sõnaveeb (Eesti Keele Instituut)
  • “a”, in Eesti keele seletav sõnaraamat [Descriptive Dictionary of the Estonian Language] (in Estonian) (online version), Tallinn: Eesti Keele Sihtasutus (Estonian Language Foundation), 2009

Fala

Etymology 1

From Old Galician-Portuguese á, from Latin illa (“that”).

Article

a f sg (plural as, masculine u or o, masculine plural us or os)

  1. Feminine singular definite article; the
    • 2000, Domingo Frades Gaspar, Vamus a falal: Notas pâ coñocel y platical en nosa fala, Editora regional da Extremadura, Chapter 1: Lengua Española:
      A grandeda da lengua española é indiscotibli, i sei estudio, utilización defensa debin sel algo consostancial a nos, […]
      The greatness of the Spanish language is unquestionable, and its study, use and defense must be something consubstantial to us,

Pronoun

a

  1. Third person singular feminine accusative pronoun; her
See also
Fala personal pronouns
nominative dative accusative disjunctive
first person singular ei me, -mi mi
plural common nos musL
nusLV
nos, -nusM 		nos
masculine noshotrusM noshotrusM
feminine noshotrasM noshotrasM
second person singular tú te, -ti ti
plural common vos vusLV
vos, -vusM 		vos
masculine voshotrusM voshotrusM
feminine voshotrasM voshotrasM
third person singular masculine el le, -li uLV, oM el
feminine ela a ela
plural masculine elis usLV, osM elis
feminine elas as elas
reflexive — se, -si sí

Etymology 2

From Old Galician-Portuguese a, from Latin ad (“to”).

Preposition

a

  1. to
    • 2000, Domingo Frades Gaspar, Vamus a falal: Notas pâ coñocel y platical en nosa fala, Editora regional da Extremadura, Chapter 1: Lengua Española:
      A grandeda da lengua española é indiscotibli, i sei estudio, utilización defensa debin sel algo consostancial a nos, […]
      The greatness of the Spanish language is unquestionable, and its study, use and defense must be something consubstantial to us,

References

  • Valeš, Miroslav (2021) Diccionariu de A Fala: lagarteiru, mañegu, valverdeñu (web)‎, 2nd edition, Minde, Portugal: CIDLeS, published 2022, →ISBN

Faroese

Etymology

From Latin a.

Pronunciation

Letter

a (upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Faroese alphabet, written in the Latin script.

See also

Finnish

Etymology 1

The Finnish orthography using the Latin script was based on those of Swedish, German and Latin, and was first used in the mid-16th century. No earlier script is known. See the Wikipedia article on Finnish for more information, and a for information on the development of the glyph itself.

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Finnish alphabet, written in the Latin script.
See also

Etymology 2

German musical notation.

Noun

a

  1. (music) A (note)
Usage notes

Capitalized for the great octave or any octave below that, or in names of major keys; not capitalized for the small octave or any octave above that, or in names of minor keys.

Declension
Declension of a (type maa)
singular plural
nominative a a:t
genitive a:n a:iden
a:itten
partitive a:ta a:ita
accusative a
a:n 		a:t
inessive a:ssa a:issa
elative a:sta a:ista
illative a:han a:ihin
adessive a:lla a:illa
ablative a:lta a:ilta
allative a:lle a:ille
essive a:na a:ina
translative a:ksi a:iksi
abessive a:tta a:itta
instructive – a:in
comitative – a:ineen
Derived terms
compounds

Franco-Provençal

Etymology

From Latin ad.

Pronunciation

Pronoun

a

  1. to
  2. at

French

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the French alphabet, written in the Latin script.

Noun

a m or f (plural as)

  1. a, the name of the Latin-script letter A

Derived terms

Etymology 2

Quebec eye-dialect spelling of elle.

Pronunciation

Pronoun

a f

  1. (Quebec, colloquial) alternative form of elle (“she”)
    C’te fille-là, a’a l’air cute.
    That girl, she looks cute.

Etymology 3

From Old French a, at from Vulgar Latin *at, from Latin habet.

Pronunciation

Verb

a

  1. third-person singular present indicative of avoir
    Elle a un chat.
    She has a cat.

See also

Further reading

Fula

Etymology 1

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Fula alphabet, written in the Latin script.
Usage notes
See also

Etymology 2

Pronoun

a

  1. you (second person singular subject pronoun; short form)
Usage notes
  • Common to all varieties of Fula (Fulfulde / Pulaar / Pular).
  • Used in all conjugations except the affirmative non-accomplished, where the long form is used instead.
See also
  • aɗa (second person singular subject pronoun; long form), hiɗa (variant used in the Pular dialect of Futa Jalon)
  • aan (emphatic form) (Maasina)
  • an (emphatic form) (Pular)
  • maaɗa (second person singular possessive pronoun (Adamawa))
  • -maa (second person singular dependent pronoun (Adamawa))

Galician

Etymology 1

From Latin ad (“to, toward”).

Pronunciation

IPA(key): /a̝/

Preposition

a

  1. to, toward; indicating direction of motion
  2. introducing an indirect object
  3. used to indicate the time of an action
  4. (with de) to, until; used to indicate the end of a range
    de cinco a oito ― from five to eight
  5. by, on, by means of; expresses a mode of action
    a pé ― on foot
  6. for; indicates price or cost
Usage notes

The preposition a regularly forms contractions when it precedes the definite article o, a, os, and as. For example, a o ("to the") contracts to ao or ó, and a a ("to the") contracts to á.

Derived terms
at/to + the table
- Singular Plural
Masculine ao (ó) aos (ós)
Feminine á ás

Etymology 2

From Old Galician-Portuguese a, from Latin illa, feminine of ille (“that”).

Pronunciation

IPA(key): /a̝/

Article

a f (masculine singular o, feminine plural as, masculine plural os)

  1. (definite) the
Usage notes

The definite article o (in all its forms) regularly forms contractions when it follows the prepositions a (“to”), con (“with”), de (“of, from”), and en (“in”). For example, con a (“with the”) contracts to coa, and en a (“in the”) contracts to na.

Also, the definite article presents a second form that could be represented as <-lo/-la/-los/-las>, or either lack any specific representation. Its origin is in the assimilation of the last consonant of words ended in -s or -r, due to sandhi, with the /l/ present in the article in pre-Galician-Portuguese period. So Vou comer o caldo or Vou come-lo caldo are representations of /ˈβowˈkomelo̝ˈkaldo̝/ ("I'm going to have my soup"). This phenomenon, rare in Portuguese, is already documented in 13th century Medieval Galician texts, as the Cantigas de Santa Maria.

Derived terms

Etymology 3

Pronunciation

IPA(key): /ˈa/

Noun

a m (plural as)

  1. a (name of the letter A, a)

Etymology 4

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Pronoun

a

  1. accusative of ela
Usage notes

Due to sandhi, the accusative form o (in all its forms) regularly changes to -lo after verbal forms ended in ⟨r⟩ or ⟨s⟩, and to -no after verbal forms ended in a semivowel:

  • Eu apagueina 'I quenched it' < apaguei‿a
  • Ti apagáchela 'You quenched it' < apagaches‿a
  • El apagouna 'He quenched it' < apagou‿a
  • Nós apagámola 'We quenched it' < apagamos‿a
  • Temos de apagala 'We must quench it' < apagar‿a

References

  1. ^ Vaz Leão, Ângela (2000) “Questões de linguagem nas Cantigas de Santa Maria, de Afonso X”, in Scripta‎, volume 4, number 7, →DOI, retrieved 16 November 2017, pages 11-24

German

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the German alphabet, written in the Latin script.

Noun

a n (strong, genitive a or as, plural a or as)

  1. Alternative form of A

Etymology 2

Noun

a

  1. Abbreviation of a-Moll.
  2. Abbreviation of Ar.

Gilbertese

Etymology

From Proto-Oceanic *pat, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *əpat, from Proto-Austronesian *Səpat.

Pronunciation

Numeral

a

  1. four

Gothic

Romanization

a

  1. Romanization of 𐌰

Grass Koiari

Pronoun

a

  1. you (singular)

References

  • 2010, Terry Crowley & Claire Bowern, An Introduction to Historical Linguistics, fourth edition, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 142.

Gun

Etymology

Cognates include Fon à.

Pronunciation

Pronoun

à

  1. you (second-person singular subject pronoun)

See also

Gungbe personal pronouns
Number Person Emphatic Pronoun Subject Pronoun Object Pronoun Possessive Determiner
Singular First nyɛ́, yẹ́n ùn, n mi cé, ṣié
Second jɛ̀, jẹ̀, yẹ̀, hiẹ̀ à wè tòwè
Third éɔ̀, úɔ̀, éwọ̀ é è étɔ̀n, étọ̀n
Plural First mílɛ́, mílẹ́ mí mítɔ̀n, mítọ̀n
Second mìlɛ́, mìlẹ́ mì mìtɔ̀n, mìtọ̀n
Third yélɛ́, yélẹ́ yé yétɔ̀n, yétọ̀n

Haitian Creole

Pronunciation

IPA(key): /a/

Article

a

  1. the, definite article

Usage notes

This term only follows words that end with an oral (non-nasal) consonant and an oral vowel in that order, and can only modify singular nouns.

See also

Hawaiian

Pronunciation

Conjunction

a

  1. and (used between sentences)
  2. until, up to

Preposition

a

  1. of, belonging to

Usage notes

  • Used for acquired possessions, while o is used for possessions that are inherited, out of personal control, and for things that can be got into (houses, clothes, cars).

Hokkien

For pronunciation and definitions of a – see 阿.
(This term is the pe̍h-ōe-jī form of 阿).

Hungarian

Etymology 1

See az.

Pronunciation

Article

a (definite)

  1. the
    a hölgy ― the lady
  2. (before some time phrases) this
    a héten ― (during) this week
    a télen ― (in) this winter
Usage notes

Used before words starting with a consonant.

Related terms
  • az (for words starting with a vowel sound)

Pronoun

a (demonstrative)

  1. (in reduplicated constructions formed with postpositions) that
    A mellett a ház mellett vártam rá. ― I waited for him/her next to that house.

Determiner

a (demonstrative)

  1. (rare, only in consonant-initial fixed phrases, with zero article) Alternative form of az (“that”).
    Foglalja össze, miről szóltak az a heti beszédek és leckék. ― Summarize what that week’s sermons and lessons were about.
    November 12-én, az a havi frissítőkedden jelenhet meg. ― It may be released on November 12th, on the Patch Tuesday of that month.
    Kérjük szíves tájékoztatásukat a tekintetben, hogy… (= abban a tekintetben, see az) ― We kindly request your information in that [= the] aspect…
    amondó vagyok, hogy… ― I am of the opinion that…, what/all I can / want to say is that… (literally, “I am that-sayer/-saying…”)

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

  • (letter or phoneme itself): IPA(key):
  • (identifier or musical note): IPA(key): (in the names of minor scales; see also A)

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  2. The first letter of the Hungarian alphabet, written in the Latin script.
  3. (music) designation of the sixth note from C and the corresponding tone
Derived terms

See also

References

  1. ^ a heti at e-nyelv.hu
  2. ^ Siptár, Péter and Miklós Törkenczy. The Phonology of Hungarian. The Phonology of the World’s Languages. Oxford University Press, 2007. →ISBN, p. 280

Further reading

Icelandic

Pronunciation

Letter

a (upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Icelandic alphabet, written in the Latin script.

Noun

a ?

  1. The name of the Latin-script letter A.

See also

Ido

Pronunciation

  • (context pronunciation, letter name) IPA(key): /a/

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Ido alphabet, written in the Latin script.

See also

Noun

a (plural a-i)

  1. The name of the Latin script letter A/a.

See also

Preposition

a

  1. Apocopic form of ad

Related terms

  • e (“and”)
  • o (“or”)

Igbo

Letter

a (upper case A, lower case a)

  1. The first letter of the Igbo alphabet, written in the Latin script.

Etymology 1

Alternative forms

  • e (neutral tongue position)

Pronunciation

Pronoun

a

  1. (indefinite) somebody, one, they, people (an unspecified individual).
    A gwara ya ka ọ bịa.
    He/she was told to come.
Usage notes
  • Often gets translated into English with the passive voice.
See also
Igbo personal pronouns
dependent independent object/possesive
Singular first m, a/e- ... -m m, mụ
second ị, i ngị, gị gị
third ọ, o ya
Plural first anyị
second ụnụ
third ha, a/e- ... -ha ha
Indefinite a/e - -

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

Determiner

a

  1. this.
Related terms

Indo-Portuguese

Etymology

From Portuguese a.

Pronunciation

  • (Sri Lankan Creole) IPA(key): /a/, /ə/

Preposition

a

  1. to
    • 1883, Hugo Schuchardt, Kreolische Studien, volume 3 (overall work in German):
      […] , que da-cá su quião que ta pertencê a êll.
      , to give him his share which belongs to him.

Indonesian

Pronunciation

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Indonesian alphabet, called id and written in the Latin script.
  2. The name of the Latin-script letter A/a.

See also

Further reading

Ingrian

Etymology

Borrowed from Russian а (a).

Pronunciation

Conjunction

a

  1. and, but
    • 1936, N. A. Iljin and V. I. Junus, Bukvari iƶoroin șkouluja vart, Leningrad: Riikin Ucebno-pedagogiceskoi Izdateljstva, page 17:
      A siä Jaakko, kuhu määt?
      And you Jaakko, where are you going?
    • 1936, L. G. Terehova, V. G. Erdeli, translated by Mihailov and P. I. Maksimov, Geografia: oppikirja iƶoroin alkușkoulun kolmatta klaassaa vart (ensimäine osa), Leningrad: Riikin Ucebno-Pedagogiceskoi Izdateljstva, page 7:
      keskipäivääl hää [päivyt] on kaikkiin ylemmääl, a siis alkaa laskiissa.
      on midday it is highest, and then it starts to descend.

References

  • Ruben E. Nirvi (1971) Inkeroismurteiden Sanakirja, Helsinki: Suomalais-Ugrilainen Seura, page 1
  • Arvo Laanest (1997) Isuri keele Hevaha murde sõnastik, Eesti Keele Instituut, page 15

Interlingua

Pronunciation

Preposition

a

  1. to, at
  2. to, for (indicating purpose)
    sala a attender ― waiting room

Derived terms

Inupiaq

Pronunciation

Interjection

a

  1. listen, hark
  2. oops (used to acknowledge an error)
  3. oh (used to express surprise)

Irish

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

From Old Irish a, from Proto-Celtic *esyo (the final vowel triggering lenition), feminine Proto-Celtic *esyās (the final -s triggering h-prothesis), plural Proto-Celtic *ēsom (the final nasal triggering eclipsis), all from the genitive forms of Proto-Indo-European *éy. Cognate with Welsh ei.

Determiner

a (triggers lenition)

  1. his, its
    a athair agus a mháthair ― his father and mother
    Chaill an t-éan a chleití.
    The bird lost its feathers.

Determiner

a (triggers h-prothesis)

  1. her, its
    a hathair agus a máthair ― her father and mother
    Bhris an mheaig a heiteog.
    The magpie broke its wing.

Determiner

a (triggers eclipsis)

  1. their
    a n-athair agus a máthair ― their father and mother
    a dtithe ― their houses
    a n-ainmneacha ― their names
  2. (Connacht) our
  3. (Connacht) your (plural)
See also
Irish personal pronouns
Number Person (and gender) Conjunctive
(emphatic) 		Disjunctive
(emphatic) 		Possessive
determiner
Singular First mé
(mise) 		mo L
m' before vowel sounds
Second tú
(tusa)1 		thú
(thusa) 		do L
d' before vowel sounds
Third masculine sé
(seisean) 		é
(eisean) 		a L
Third feminine sí
(sise) 		í
(ise) 		a H
Third neuter — ea —
Plural First muid, sinn
(muidne, muide), (sinne) 		ár E
Second sibh
(sibhse)1 		bhur E
Third siad
(siadsan) 		iad
(iadsan) 		a E

L Triggers lenition E Triggers eclipsis H Triggers h-prothesis

1 Also used as the vocative

The reflexive is formed by adding féin to the relevant pronoun: e.g. "myself" = mé féin, "yourselves" = sibh féin.

Determiner

a (triggers lenition)

  1. how (used with an abstract noun)
    A ghéire a labhair sí!
    How sharply she spoke!
    A fheabhas atá sé!
    How good it is!

Etymology 2

A reduced form of older do (itself a reanalysis of do used in past tenses, and also present in early modern verbs like do-bheirim (“I give”), do-chím (“I see”)), or from the preverb a- in early modern verbs like a-tú (“I am”), a-deirim (“I say”) in relative clauses.

Particle

a (triggers lenition except of d’ and of past autonomous forms)

  1. introduces a direct relative clause, takes the independent form of an irregular verb
    an fear a chuireann síol ― the man who sows seed
    an síol a chuireann an fear ― the seed that the man sows
    an síol a cuireadh ― the seed that was sown
    nuair a bhí mé óg ― when I was young
    an cat a d'ól an bainne ― the cat that drank the milk

References

  • Gerald O’Nolan (1920) Studies in Modern Irish‎, volume 1, pages 89, 93–94

Etymology 3

From Old Irish a (“that, which the relative particle used after prepositions”), reanalyzed as an independent indirect relative particle from forms like ar a (“on which, on whom”), dá (“to which, to whom”), or early modern le a (“with which, with whom”), agá (“at which, at whom”) when prepositional pronouns started to be repeated in such clauses (eg. don té agá mbíon cloidheamh (…) aige, daoine agá mbíonn grádh aco do Dhia). Compare the forms used in Munster instead: go (from agá (“at which”)) and na (from i n-a (“in which”), go n-a (“with which”), ria n-a (“before which”) and later lena (“with which”), tréna (“through which”)).

Particle

a (triggers eclipsis, takes the dependent form of an irregular verb; not used in the past tense except with some irregular verbs)

  1. introduces an indirect relative clause
    an bord a raibh leabhar air ― the table on which there was a book
    an fear a bhfuil a mhac ag imeacht ― the man whose son is going away
Related terms
  • ar (used with the past tense of regular and some irregular verbs)

Pronoun

a (triggers eclipsis, takes the dependent form of an irregular verb; not used in the past tense except with some irregular verbs)

  1. all that, whatever
    Sin a bhfuil ann.
    That's all that is there.
    An bhfuair tú a raibh uait?
    Did you get all that you wanted?
    Íocfaidh mé as a gceannóidh tú.
    I will pay for whatever you buy.
Related terms
  • ar (used with the past tense of regular and some irregular verbs)

References

  • Nicholas Williams (1994) “Na Canúintí a Theacht chun Solais”, in K. McCone, D. McManus, C. Ó Háinle, N. Williams, L. Breatnach, editors, Stair na Gaeilge: in ómós do Pádraig Ó Fiannachta (in Irish), Maynooth: Roinn na Sean-Ghaeilge, Coláiste Phádraig, →ISBN, page 464: “Tháinig nós chun cinn sa 17ú haois freisin an réamhfhocal a dhúbláil: don té agá mbíonn cloidheamh..aige; daoine agá mbíonn grádh aco do Dhia (Ó Cuív, 1952b, 177), an tí ag a bhfuil a bheag do chuntabhairt aige (Williams, 1986, 155).”
  • Gerald O’Nolan (1934) The New Era Grammar of Modern Irish, The Educational Company of Ireland Ltd., page 56

Etymology 4

Particle

a (triggers lenition)

  1. introduces a vocative
    A Dhia!
    O God!
    A dhuine uasail!
    Sir!
    Tar isteach, a Sheáin.
    Come in, Seán.
    A amadáin!
    You fool!

Etymology 5

Particle

a (triggers h-prothesis)

  1. introduces a numeral
    a haon, a dó, a trí... ― one, two, three...
    Séamas a Dó ― James the Second
    bus a seacht ― bus seven

Etymology 6

Originally a reduced form of do.

Preposition

a (plus dative, triggers lenition)

  1. to (used with verbal nouns)
    síol a chur ― to sow seed
    uisce a ól ― to drink water
    an rud atá sé a scríobh ― what he is writing
    D’éirigh sé a chaint.
    He rose to speak.
    Téigh a chodladh.
    Go to sleep.

Mutation

Irish mutation
Radical Eclipsis with h-prothesis with t-prothesis
a n-a ha not applicable
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

Further reading

Istriot

Etymology

From Latin ad.

Preposition

a

  1. at
    • 1877, Antonio Ive, Canti popolari istriani: raccolti a Rovigno, volume 5, Ermanno Loescher, page 99:
      A poûpa, a prùa a xì doûto bandere,
      At the stern, at the bow everything is flags,

Particle

a

  1. emphasises a verb; mandatory with impersonal verbs
    • 1877, Antonio Ive, Canti popolari istriani: raccolti a Rovigno, volume 5, Ermanno Loescher, page 99:
      A poûpa, a prùa a xì doûto bandere,
      At the stern, at the bow everything is flags,

Italian

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

From Latin ā (the name of the letter A).

Letter

a f or m (invariable, lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Italian alphabet, called a and written in the Latin script.

Noun

a f (invariable)

  1. The name of the Latin-script letter A.; a
See also

Etymology 2

From Latin ad. In a few phrases, a stems from Latin ā, ab.

Preposition

a

  1. Indicates the indirect object. to
    Porta questo cesto alla nonna.
    Bring this basket to grandma.
    Ai gatti piacciono i pesci.
    Cats like fish.
    (literally, “Fish are pleasable to cats.”)
    E lo chiedi a me?
    You're asking that to me?
  2. Indicates the place, used in some contexts, in others in is used. in, to
    Andiamo a casa?
    Can we go home?
    (literally, “Can we go to home?”)
    Ora sto a Palermo, a Roma ci torno domani.
    I'm in Palermo now, I'll go back to Rome tomorrow.
  3. Denotes the manner. with
    appena, a nuoto, a piedi, a caso ― almost, swimming, by foot, randomly
  5. Forms adverbs meaning “in a manner related or resembling ~”.
    a cappella, a bestia, a braccio, a pennello, etc. ― (please add an English translation of this usage example)
  6. Forms goodbye formulas from the time the persons will meet again. see you...
    A domani! ― See you tomorrow!
    A dopo! ― See you later!
    Al prossimo Natale! ― See you next Christmas!
  7. Introduces the ingredients of a dish, perfume, etc. with
    pasta all'uovo ― pasta with eggs
    cornetto al cioccolato ― chocolate croissant
    shampoo al limone ― lemon shampoo
    patatine alla pizza ― pizza-flavoured crisps
  8. (central-southern Italy) Denotes the direct object, but only if it's not preceded by articles
    Chiama a Paolo.
    Call Paolo.
    E non ci avevi visto a noi?
    And you didn't see us?
    the "us" here is repeated twice for emphasis
    Ascolti a me, signó!
    Listen to me, ma'am!
  9. (followed by the definite article) Forms an interjection that gives an instruction or calls attention to something.
    Al ladro! ― Thief!
    Al fuoco! ― Fire!
    Al lupo! ― Wolf!
    All'attacco! ― Attack!
    All'arrembaggio! ― Assault! (yelled by pirates)
  10. (regional) Forms continuous tense when preceded by stare and followed by verb infinitives. -ing. The standard language for this scope uses gerunds.
    che stai a di'? ― what are you saying?
    stavo a dormi' ― I was sleeping
  11. Repeated indicates the amount by which something grows. by
    a due a due ― two by two; in pairs
    a poco a poco ― little by little
  12. Indicates the agent of a verb in some contexts. by. Sometimes interchangable with da.
    L'ho sentito dire a Livia.
    I heard Livia say it.
    (literally, “I heard it said by Livia.”)
    • c. 1909, Luigi Pirandello, chapter 2.3, in I vecchi e i giovani:
      Mi duole, creda, sinceramente, veder fare a un uomo come lei, per cui ho tanta stima, una figura... non bella, via! non bella.
      (please add an English translation of this quotation)
Usage notes
  • When followed by a word that begins with a vowel sound, the form ad is used instead.
  • When followed by the definite article, a combines with the article to produce the following combined forms:
a + article Combined form
a + il al
a + lo allo
a + l' all'
a + i ai
a + gli agli
a + la alla
a + le alle
Descendants
  • → Norwegian Bokmål: a (learned)

Etymology 3

Verb

a

  1. Misspelling of ha.

References


Further reading

Jamaican Creole

Preposition

a

  1. Indicates location: at, in, on.
    a mi yaad
    at my home
  2. of
    Yunaitid Stiet a Amoerka
    United States of America
  3. to
    Dem go a maakit. Mi a-go a skuul.
    They go to the market. I'm going to school.

Verb

a

  1. be
    1. is, it's
      Jumieka a wahn ailan konchri.
      Jamaica is an island country.
    2. are, am
      Wi a api.
      We are happy.
      Mi a di tiicha.
      I am the teacher.
    3. there is, there are
      A tuu apruoch tu Ort sayans.
      There are two approaches to Earth science.

Particle

a

  1. Habitual present tense marker.
    wan plies we dem a plie haki mach
    a place where they play hockey matches
  2. Precedes a verb to mark the -ing form.
    a laaf, a ron, a iit
    laughing, running, eating

See also

Further reading

Japanese

Romanization

a

  1. Rōmaji transcription of あ
  2. Rōmaji transcription of ア

Jersey Dutch

Pronunciation

  • (phoneme): IPA(key): /ʊ/, /ɑ/

Letter

a

  1. A letter of the Jersey Dutch alphabet, written in the Latin script.

K'iche'

Pronunciation

Adjective

a

  1. masculine youth indicator

Adverb

a

  1. (interrogatory) indicator of a question

Pronoun

a

  1. your

References

Kabuverdianu

Letter

a (uppercase A)

  1. The first letter of the Kabuverdianu alphabet, written in the Latin script.

Kabyle

Alternative forms

Determiner

a

  1. this
    a rgaz a
    this man

Kalasha

Etymology

From Sanskrit अहम् (ahám).

Pronoun

a (Arabic آ)

  1. I (1st-person personal pronoun)

See also

Kalasha personal pronouns
singular plural
1st person a / آ ábi / آبی
2nd person tu / تُو ábi / آبی
3rd person (near) ía / اِیا émi / ایمی
3rd person (far) ása / آسا éḷi / ایࣇی
3rd person (absent) se / سے te / تے

Kapampangan

Ligature

a

  1. connects adjectives to nouns
    Romantiku a bengi.
    A romantic night.
    Pinakapalsintan a tau.
    The person I love the most.
    Mayap a abak.
    Good morning.
    Mayap a bengi.
    Good night.
    Dakal a salamat.
    Thank you very much.

See also

Kari'na

Pronunciation

Interjection

a

  1. ah, aah

References

  • Courtz, Hendrik (2008) A Carib grammar and dictionary‎, Toronto: Magoria Books, →ISBN, page 213
  • Yamada, Racquel-María (2010) “a”, in Speech community-based documentation, description, and revitalization: Kari’nja in Konomerume‎, University of Oregon, page 707

Kashubian

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈa/
  • Syllabification: a

Etymology 1

The Kashubian orthography is based on the Latin alphabet. No earlier script is known. See the Kashubian alphabet article on Wikipedia for more, and a for development of the glyph itself.

Letter

a (lowercase, uppercase A)

  1. The first letter of the Kashubian alphabet, called a and written in the Latin script.

See also

Etymology 2

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *a.

Conjunction

a

  1. and (used to continue a previous statement or to add to it)

Noun

a n (indeclinable)

  1. (music) a (note)

Etymology 3

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *a.

Interjection

a

  1. interjection that expresses various emotions; ah!

Further reading

  • Stefan Ramułt (1893) “a”, in Słownik języka pomorskiego czyli kaszubskiego‎ (in Kashubian), page 1
  • Bernard Sychta (1967-1973) “a, a!”, in Słownik gwar kaszubskich, volume 1, page 1
  • Eùgeniusz Gòłąbk (2011) “a”, in Słownik Polsko-Kaszubski / Słowôrz Pòlskò-Kaszëbsczi‎, volume 1, page 9
  • “A, a”, in Internetowi Słowôrz Kaszëbsczégò Jãzëka [Internet Dictionary of the Kashubian Language], Fundacja Kaszuby, 2022
  • “a!”, in Internetowi Słowôrz Kaszëbsczégò Jãzëka [Internet Dictionary of the Kashubian Language], Fundacja Kaszuby, 2022

Kayan

Letter

a

  1. a the first letter of Kayan alphabet.

Pronoun

a

  1. used for he, she, third person.

Koitabu

Pronoun

a

  1. you (singular)

References

  • Terry Crowley, Claire Bowern, An Introduction to Historical Linguistics

Krisa

Pronunciation

IPA(key): /a/

Noun

a m

  1. pig
    Nana a doma.
    I shot your pig.

References

  • Donohue, Mark and San Roque, Lila. I'saka: a sketch grammar of a language of north-central New Guinea. (Pacific Linguistics, 554.) (2004).

Ladin

Etymology

From Latin a.

Pronunciation

Preposition

a

  1. in
  2. at
  3. to

Derived terms

Lashi

Pronunciation

Adverb

a

  1. not

References

  • Hkaw Luk (2017) A grammatical sketch of Lacid‎, Chiang Mai: Payap University (master thesis)

Latgalian

Etymology

Ultimately from Proto-Balto-Slavic *ō. The source is not clear:

  • Probably borrowed from a Slavic language (compare Russian а (a) and Belarusian а (a)).
  • Alternatively, irregularly shortened from *ā, inherited from *ō.

Compare Lithuanian o.

Pronunciation

Conjunction

a f

  1. and, but

References

  • A. Andronov, L. Leikuma (2008) Latgalīšu-Latvīšu-Krīvu sarunu vuordineica, Lvava, →ISBN

Latin

Etymology 1

From Ancient Greek Α (A, “alpha”), likely through Etruscan.

Pronunciation

(letter name):

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. (sometimes with littera) the first letter of the Latin alphabet.
    littera a ― the letter a

Etymology 2

From Etruscan.

Pronunciation

Noun

ā f (indeclinable)

  1. The name of the letter A.
Coordinate terms

Etymology 3

Alternative form of ab by apocope (not used before a vowel or h).

Alternative forms

  • à (earlier in New Latin)
  • ab

Pronunciation

Preposition

ā (+ ablative)

  1. (indicating ablation) from, away from, out of
    • c. 52 BCE, Julius Caesar, Commentarii de Bello Gallico 1.1:
      Gallōs ab Aquītānīs Garumna flūmen, ā Belgīs Matrona et Sēquana dīvidit.
      The river Garonne separates the Gauls from the Aquitani; the Marne and the Seine (separate them) from the Belgae.
  2. (indicating ablation) down from
  3. (indicating agency: source of action or event) by, by means of
    • 45 BCE, Cicero, De finibus bonorum et malorum 1.2:
      Quamquam philosophiae quidem vituperātōribus satis respōnsum est eō librō, quō ā nōbīs philosophia dēfēnsa et collaudāta est, cum esset accūsāta et vituperāta ab Hortēnsiō.
      Although indeed to the vituperators of philosophy an adequate response is in that book, in which philosophy has been defended and highly praised by us , when it had been accused and vituperated by Hortensius.
  4. (indicating instrumentality: source of action or event) by, by means of, with
  5. (indicating association) to, with
  6. (indicating location) at, on, in
  7. (time) after, since
Usage notes

Used in conjunction with passive verbs to mark the agent.

  • Liber ā discipulō aperītur.
    The book is opened by the student.
Derived terms
Descendants
  • Italian: a
  • → Norwegian Bokmål: a (learned)
  • → Norwegian Bokmål: a (learned)

Etymology 4

Expressive.

Pronunciation

Interjection

ā

  1. ah

Further reading

  • “a”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  • “a”, in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
  • a in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré latin-français, Hachette.
  • a - ΛΟΓΕΙΟΝ (since 2011) Dictionaries for Ancient Greek and Latin (in English, French, Spanish, German, Dutch) University of Chicago.

Latvian

Etymology

Proposed in 1908 as part of the new Latvian spelling by the scientific commission headed by K. Mīlenbahs, which was accepted and began to be taught in schools in 1909. Prior to that, Latvian had been written in German Fraktur, and sporadically in Cyrillic.

Pronunciation

Letter

A

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Latvian alphabet, written in the Latin script.

See also

Noun

a m (invariable)

  1. The name of the Latin script letter A/a.

See also

Further reading

Laz

Determiner

a

  1. Latin spelling of ა (a)

Letter

a

  1. The first letter of the Laz alphabet, written in the Latin script.

See also

Numeral

a

  1. Latin spelling of ა (a)

Ligurian

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

Ligurian Definite Articles
singular plural
masculine o i
feminine  a e

Article

a f sg (plural e)

  1. the

Etymology 2

From Latin ad.

Preposition

a

  1. in
  2. at
  3. to
    Vàddo a câza. ― I'm going home. (literally, “I go to home.”)
  4. indicates the direct object, mainly to avoid confusion when it, the subject, or both are displaced, or for emphasis
    A mæ seu ghe fa mâ 'n bràsso. ― My sister's arm hurts. (literally, “To my sister an arm hurts.”)
a + article Combined form
a + o a-o
a + a a-a
a + i a-i
a + e a-e

Livonian

Pronunciation

Letter

a (upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Livonian alphabet, written in the Latin script.


Louisiana Creole

Etymology

From French avoir (“to have”).

Verb

a

  1. to have

Lower Sorbian

Pronunciation

Letter

a (upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Lower Sorbian alphabet, called a and written in the Latin script.
  2. The name of the Latin-script letter a.

Conjunction

a

  1. and

See also

Further reading

  • Muka, Arnošt (1921, 1928) “a”, in Słownik dolnoserbskeje rěcy a jeje narěcow (in German), St. Petersburg, Prague: ОРЯС РАН, ČAVU; Reprinted Bautzen: Domowina-Verlag, 2008
  • Starosta, Manfred (1999) “a”, in Dolnoserbsko-nimski słownik / Niedersorbisch-deutsches Wörterbuch (in German), Bautzen: Domowina-Verlag

Lushootseed

Letter

a

  1. The second letter of the Lushootseed alphabet, pronounced as an open back unrounded vowel.

Malay

Pronunciation

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Malay alphabet, written in the Latin script.

See also

Interjection

a (Jawi spelling ا)

  1. Used to show excitement or to show agreement.
    A, macam itulah sepatutnya kaujawab!
    Yes, that's how you should answer!
  2. Used to show that you have forgotten or are attempting to remember something.
    Dia ni, a, salah seorang Perdana Menteri Britain dulu.
    This guy is, uh, one of Britain's Prime Ministers in the past.

Further reading

Maltese

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /a/ (short phoneme)
  • IPA(key): /aː/ (long phoneme)

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Maltese alphabet, written in the Latin script.

See also

Mandarin

Romanization

a (a5／a0, Zhuyin ˙ㄚ)

  1. Hanyu Pinyin reading of 呵
  2. Hanyu Pinyin reading of 啊
  3. Hanyu Pinyin reading of 阿

a

  1. Nonstandard spelling of ā.
  2. Nonstandard spelling of á.
  3. Nonstandard spelling of ǎ.
  4. Nonstandard spelling of à.

Usage notes

  • Transcriptions of Mandarin into the Latin script often do not distinguish between the critical tonal differences employed in the Mandarin language, using words such as this one without indication of tone.

Mandinka

Pronoun

a

  1. he, him (personal pronoun)
    A m busa ― He/she struck me.
    Y a busa ― They struck him/her.
  2. she, her (personal pronoun)
  3. it (personal pronoun)

See also

Mandinka personal pronouns
singular plural
1st person nte, n, m ntolu, ntelu, n
2nd person ite, i altolu, altelu, al
3rd person ate, a itolu, itelu, y

Maori

Particle

a

  1. of
  2. (determinative particle for names)
  3. (particle for pronouns when succeeding ki, i, kei, and hei)

Usage notes

  • When used in the sense of of, suggests that the possessor has control of the relationship (alienable possession).

Masurian

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

Inherited from Old Polish a.

Conjunction

a

  1. (contrastive) and, but, whereas
  2. (coordinating) and; at that

Particle

a

  1. sometimes neutral or emphatic, used to start a sentence or question

Etymology 2

Inherited from Old Polish a, from Proto-Slavic *a.

Interjection

a

  1. ah! used when the speaker has remembered or noticed something

Further reading

  • Zofia Stamirowska (1987-2021) “a”, in Anna Basara, editor, Słownik gwar Ostródzkiego, Warmii i Mazur‎, volume 1, Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich Wydawnictwo Polskiej Akademii Nauk, →ISBN, pages 107-109

Mezquital Otomi

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

Interjection

a

  1. expresses satisfaction, pity, fright, or admiration

Etymology 2

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Verb

a

  1. (transitive) wake, awaken

Etymology 3

From Proto-Otomi *ʔɔ, from Proto-Otomian *ʔɔ.

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Noun

a

  1. flea
Derived terms

References

  • Andrews, Enriqueta (1950) Vocabulario otomí de Tasquillo, Hidalgo‎ (in Spanish), México, D.F.: Instituto Lingüístico de Verano, page 1
  • Hernández Cruz, Luis, Victoria Torquemada, Moisés (2010) Diccionario del hñähñu (otomí) del Valle del Mezquital, estado de Hidalgo (Serie de vocabularios y diccionarios indígenas “Mariano Silva y Aceves”; 45)‎ (in Spanish), second edition, Instituto Lingüístico de Verano, A.C., page 3

Middle Dutch

Etymology

From Old Dutch ā, from Proto-Germanic *ahwō.

Noun

â f

  1. (rare) river, stream, water

Inflection

This noun needs an inflection-table template.

Descendants

Further reading

  • “a (II)”, in Vroegmiddelnederlands Woordenboek, 2000

Middle English

Etymology 1

Pronoun

a

  1. Alternative form of an (mainly preconsonantal)

Etymology 2

Pronoun

a

  1. (Late Middle English) Alternative form of I (“I”)

Etymology 3

Pronoun

a

  1. Alternative form of heo (“she”)

Etymology 4

Pronoun

a

  1. Alternative form of he (“he”)

Etymology 5

Pronoun

a

  1. Alternative form of he (“they”)

Etymology 6

Numeral

a

  1. (Northern, Early Middle English) Alternative form of oo (“one”)

Middle French

Etymology 1

From Old French a, from Latin ad.

Alternative forms

  • à (after 1550)

Preposition

a

  1. to; towards

Etymology 2

From Old French, from Latin habet.

Verb

a

  1. third-person singular present indicative of avoir

Middle Welsh

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

Particle

a (triggers lenition)

  1. O (vocative particle)

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

Pronoun

a (triggers lenition)

  1. who, which, that

Particle

a (triggers lenition)

  1. inserted before the verb when the subject of direct object precedes it

Etymology 3

Pronunciation

Particle

a (triggers lenition)

  1. used to introduce a direct question
  2. whether, used to introduce an indirect question

Etymology 4

Reduction of o (“from”).

Pronunciation

Preposition

a

  1. used between a focused adjective and the noun it modifies

Etymology 5

From Old Welsh ha.

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Conjunction

a (triggers aspiration)

  1. and

Etymology 6

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Preposition

a (triggers aspiration)

  1. with

Etymology 7

From Proto-Celtic *ageti, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eǵ-.

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Verb

a

  1. third-person singular present indicative of mynet

Mutation

Middle Welsh mutation
Radical Soft Nasal H-prothesis
a unchanged unchanged ha
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every
possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

Mòcheno

Etymology

From Middle High German ein, from Old High German ein, from Proto-West Germanic *ain, from Proto-Germanic *ainaz (“one, a”).

Article

a (oblique masculine an)

  1. a, an

References

Mopan Maya

Article

a

  1. the

References

  • Hofling, Charles Andrew (2011). Mopan Maya–Spanish–English Dictionary, University of Utah Press.

Mountain Koiari

Pronoun

a

  1. you (singular)

References

  • Terry Crowley, Claire Bowern, An Introduction to Historical Linguistics

Murui Huitoto

Adverb

a

  1. Superseded spelling of aa.

References

  • Shirley Burtch (1983) Diccionario Huitoto Murui (Tomo I) (Linguistica Peruana No. 20)‎ (in Spanish), Yarinacocha, Peru: Instituto Lingüístico de Verano, page 19

Nauruan

Pronunciation

Pronoun

a

  1. I (first person singular pronoun)
    • 2000, Lisa M Johnson, Firstness of Secondness in Nauruan Morphology (overall work in English):
      a pudun
      1sing fall+Vn
      I fell
      a nuwawen
      1pers.sing. go+Vn
      I did go. (I left.)
      a kaiotien aem

      I hear what you said.
      a nan imoren
      1pers.sing. FUT health+Vn
      I shall be cured (get better).

Navajo

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Navajo alphabet, written in the Latin script.
    a = /a˨/
    ą = /ã˨/
    á = /a˥/
    ą́ = /ã˥/
    aa = /aː˨˨/
    ąą = /ãː˨˨/
    áa = /aː˥˨/
    ą́ą = /ãː˥˨/
    aá = /aː˨˥/
    ąą́ = /ãː˨˥/
    áá = /aː˥˥/
    ą́ą́ = /ãː˥˥/

See also

Neapolitan

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

From Latin de ab.

Preposition

a

  1. from (referring to a place)
  2. by (introducing the actor in the passive voice)
  3. to (implying necessity)

Etymology 2

From Latin ad.

Preposition

a

  1. in (locative: staying in a place of relative width)
  2. to (locative: moving towards a place of relative width)
  3. to (dative)

Nias

Etymology

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kaən, from Proto-Austronesian *kaən.

Verb

a (imperfective manga)

  1. (transitive) to eat

References

  • Sundermann, Heinrich. 1905. Niassisch-deutsches Wörterbuch. Moers: Bataviaasch Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen, p. 15.

Norman

Verb

a

  1. (Guernsey) third-person singular present indicative of aver

Norwegian Bokmål

The letter a from the Norwegian alphabet.

Etymology 1

From Latin a, from Ancient Greek Α (A, “alpha”), likely through the Etruscan language, from Phoenician 𐤀 (ʾ), from Proto-Canaanite , from Proto-Sinaitic , from Egyptian 𓃾, representing the head of an ox.

Pronunciation

Letter

a (uppercase A)

  1. The first letter of the Norwegian Bokmål alphabet, written in the Latin script.
See also

Noun

a m (definite singular a-en, indefinite plural a-er, definite plural a-ene)

  1. the letter a, the first letter of the Norwegian alphabet
    fra A til B ― from A to B
    fra A til Å ― from A to Z
    har man sagt a, må man si b ― if you have said A, you should say B
    • 1999, Lars Roar Langslet, I kamp for norsk kultur, page 234:
      bruken av a i bestemt form i hunkjønnsord
      the use of a in the definite form of feminine words
  2. indicates the first or best entry of a list, order or rank
    Synonyms: A-, a-
    oppgang A ― apartment entrance A
    blodgruppe A ― blood group A
    førerkort i klasse A ― (motorcycle) driver's license in class A
    øl i klasse A ― beer in class A (with 0,0-0,7 volume percent alcohol)
    A post ― A post / priority mail
    A-aksje ― class A-share
    hepatitt A ― hepatitis A
    • 1919, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, Samlede digter-verker I [Collected poetic works 1], page 454:
      [bokstavene begynte] at gaa sammen, to og to: a stod og hvilte under et træ, som hedte b
      to go together, two by two: a stood and rested under a tree called b
    • 1920, Jonas Lie, Samlede Digterverker V, page 389:
      begynde paa Ø istedet for A
      start with Ø instead of A
    • 1886, Arne Garborg, Mogning og manndom I, page 172:
      jeg traf sammen med et par generalbanditter, gamle gutter, storartede ranglefanter, 1ste klasse 1 A med stjerne, deilige herremænd
      I met a couple of general bandits, old boys, great revelers, 1st class 1 A with a star, lovely gentlemen
    • 1939, Knut Hamsun, Artikler, page 99:
      historie er hvad A mener til forskel fra B, og hvad C igen mener til forskel baade fra A og B om den samme sag
      story is what A thinks differently from B and what C again thinks differently from both A and B about the same case
  3. the highest grade in a school or university using the A-F scale
    få A til eksamen
    receive an A on an exam
    • 2019, Helene Uri, Stillheten etterpå, page 14:
      jeg har gode karakterer. Bare A-er og B-er
      I have good grades. Only A's and B's
  4. (music) designation of the sixth note from C and the corresponding tone
    A-dur
    A major
    A-moll
    A minor
    • 1944, Børre Qvamme, Musikk, page 10:
      synge en riktig A uten hjelp av et instrument eller stemmegaffel
      sing a correct A without the aid of an instrument or tuning fork
    • 1973, Finn Havrevold, Avreisen, page 127:
      han slår énstrøken a på klaveret
      he strikes one stroke A on the piano
    • 1997, Tove Nilsen, G for Georg, page 42:
      så gal at man virkelig tror at svaler er g-nøkler og bass-nøkler og a’er og c’er som svever rundt hverandre og lager konsert i himmelen
      so crazy that you really think swallows are g-keys and bass-keys and a's and c's floating around each other and making a concert in the sky
  5. (physics) symbol for ampere
  6. (physics) symbol for nucleon number
  7. (horology) symbol for avance
  8. symbol for anno
  9. short form of atom-
    Synonym: a-
    a-bombe
    atom bomb (a-bomb)

Derived terms

Etymology 2

Abbreviation of atto- (“atto-”).

Symbol

a

  1. atto-, prefix for 10-18 in the International System of Units.

Etymology 3

Abbreviation of ar (“are”).

Symbol

a

  1. an are, a unit of area one hundredth of a hectare; ares
    Synonym: ar

Etymology 4

From French à (“to, on, in”).

Preposition

a

  1. Alternative spelling of à
Alternative forms

Etymology 5

From Latin ā (“from, away from, out of”), alternative form of ab (“from, away from, out of, down from”).

Preposition

a

  1. (used in Latin expressions, before a consonant) from, of
    a posteriori, a prima vista, a priori, a tempo, a verbo, a viso, a vista
Alternative forms

Etymology 6

From Italian a (“in, at, to”).

Preposition

a

  1. (used in Italian expressions, before a consonant) from, of, with
    a battuta, a cappella, a due, a dato, a konto
  2. weak form of av (of)

Etymology 7

From Old Norse hana (“her”), accusative form of hón (“she”), from Proto-Norse (*hān-), from a prefixed form of Proto-Germanic *ainaz (“one; some”), from Proto-Indo-European *óynos (“one; single”).

Pronoun

a

  1. (dialectal, used enclitically after a conjunction or subjunction) she
    • 1948, Helge Krog, Skuespill I, page 43:
      jagu slår a ja. Og det så det kjens. Forleden dag ga hun meg en knallende ørefik
      she can certainly punch. And so you feel it. The other day she gave me a popping slap to the ear
    • 1989, Bergljot Hobæk Haff, Den guddommelige tragedie:
      hu kunne ikke henge på seg så mye som et enrada perlebånd, uten at a måtte skotte opp i skyene for å høre hva den aller høyeste mente
      she could not put on as much as a single string of pearls, without having to shoot up into the clouds to hear what the very highest one meant
  2. (dialectal, about grammatically feminine animals or objects) it, she
    • 1899, Sfinx, Vi og Voreses, page 45:
      hos Hansens laa dem te klokka var ni, og 10 var a mange ganger ogsaa
      at Hansen's they laid until nine o'clock, and 10 she was many times too
    • 1954, Agnar Mykle, Lasso rundt fru Luna, page 476:
      hvor ligger a [duskeluen] henne?
      where is the hat?
    hvor er a katta di?
    where is your cat?
    Synonym: hun
  3. (dialectal, used enclitically) her; object form of hun (=she)
    hva gjorde du med a?
    what did you do to her?
    • 1847–1868, Halfdan Kjerulf, Av hans efterladte papirer, page 245:
      jeg [skrev] klaverstykker … en lille scherzo med nordisk motiv … «gjenta» og «Jørgen Matros», som gjør kur til ’a og «Ola Spelman» som hun foretrækker
      I piano pieces… a small scherzo with a Nordic motif… «gjenta» and «Jørgen Matros», which makes cure for her and «Ola Spelman» which she prefers
    • 1875, Alexander Erbe, Fra skjærgaarden, page 23:
      [klokkeren] skulle da koste paa a amen
      would then cost her amen
    • 1921, Sigrid Undset, Samlede romaner og fortællinger fra nutiden I, page 6:
      jeg kan da gjerne skjære litt mat til a
      I could happily cut some food for her
    • 1931, Aksel Sandemose, En sjømann går i land, page 19:
      han stakk henne med kniven, riktig kylt’n midt i magan på a
      he stabbed her with the knife, really threw in the middle of her stomach
    • 2010, Helene Guåker, Kjør!:
      flere enn deg i hvert fall, di lørje, svarte jeg og så a midt i aua
      more than you at least, you skank, I answered and looked her in the eye
  4. (dialectal, about grammatically feminine animals or objects) it, her
    hvis katta stikker av, må du fange a!
    if the cat runs away, you need to catch her!
    • 1895, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, Over Ævne II, page 136:
      naar kjærka ikke kan holde arbejderne i ave [age], aa faen skal vi saa me’a
      when the church can not keep the workers in duty, what the hell do we do with her then
    Synonym: henne
  5. (dialectal, used proclitically with a woman's name or female relation) she, her
    • 1921, Sigrid Undset, Samlede romaner og fortællinger fra nutiden V, page 96:
      ta a Guldborg
      consider Guldborg
    • 1921, Sigrid Undset, Samlede romaner og fortællinger fra nutiden V, page 64:
      har du glemt a mamma
      did you forget about mom
    • 2015, Rudolf Nilsen, Samlede dikt, page 88:
      a Paula kom plystrende hjem
      Paula came home whistling
    • 2015 March 12, Gerd Nyland, “Fire år uten radio”, in Oppland Arbeiderblad‎, archived from the original on 2023-01-28:
      a tante Karen, mor hennes Reidun, hadde ordne med sengeplasser i stua, Booken på en divan og a Rita på flatseng på golvet
      aunt Karen, her mother Reidun, had arranged beds in the living room, Booken on a daybed and Rita on a flat bed on the floor

Etymology 8

From Danish ah (“oh”), likely from German ach (“oh”), from Middle High German ach, from Old High German ah. Also see ah and akk.

Interjection

a

  1. expression of surprise or horror
    a, for noe tøv!
    oh, such nonsense!
    • 1888, Herman Colditz, Kjærka, et Atélierinteriør:
      a, det er bare noe drit til han terracottaen
      oh, that is just some crap for that terracotta guy
  2. expression of admiration or happiness
    a, det gjorde godt!
    oh, that felt good!
    • 1897, Fridtjof Nansen, Fram over Polhavet I, page 345:
      a, kunde vi bare gi «Fram» slige vinger
      oh, if only we could give "Fram" wings like that
  3. used with the words yes and no to give a sense of impatience or rejection
    a jo, men hold nå fred!
    oh yes, but keep quiet now
    • 1874, Henrik Ibsen, Fru Inger til Østråt, page 99:
      a nej, det kan være det samme
      oh no, it does not matter
    • 1874-1878, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, Brytnings-år I, page 25:
      a ja, lad Schirmer tegne staburet
      oh yes, let Schirmer draw the storehouse
    • 1988, Arild Nyquist, Giacomettis forunderlige reise:
      verden er vakker, bestemor. Selv når det regner og blåser. A ja da.
      the world is beautiful, grandma. Even when it's raining and windy. Oh yes.

Etymology 9

Mostly likely from Norwegian ad (“against, on”), from Danish ad (“by, at”), from Old Danish at, from Old Norse at (“at, to”), from Proto-Germanic *at (“at, toward, to”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd (“to, at”).

Interjection

a

  1. expression of anger or sorrow, especially with a personal pronoun
    uff a meg!
    oh, my!
    huff a meg!
    oh, no!
Alternative forms

References

  • “a” in The Bokmål Dictionary.
  • “a” in Det Norske Akademis ordbok (NAOB).
  • “a” in Store norske leksikon
  • a on the Norwegian Bokmål Wikipedia.Wikipedia nb

Anagrams

Norwegian Nynorsk

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

Letter

a (lowercase, uppercase A)

  1. The first letter of the Norwegian Nynorsk alphabet, written in the Latin script.
See also

Noun

a m (definite singular a-en, indefinite plural a-ar, definite plural a-ane)

  1. the letter a

Etymology 2

Interjection

a

  1. ah!
    Synonyms: ah, å

Etymology 3

From Old Norse af, from Proto-Germanic *ab, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂epó.

Preposition

a

  1. (dialect) alternative form of av
    • c. 1700, Sigurd Kolsrud, quoting Jacob Rasch, “Eldste nynorske bibeltekst: Jacob Rasch c. 1700”, in Syn og Segn, volume 56, published 1950, page 110:
      fre a Gud okka far aa Jesu Christo den herræ.
      peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

References

Nupe

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

  • (phoneme): IPA(key): /a/, (after /n/ or /m/) /ã/

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Nupe alphabet, written in the Latin script.
See also

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

Particle

à

  1. not (placed at the end of a clause to negate it)
    Mi de eshìgi à, mi ma de dàǹgi à. ― I don't have a dog, and I don't have a cat.

Etymology 3

Clipping of lá

Pronunciation

Particle

á

  1. Marks the perfective aspect, for actions that are completed
Usage notes

á, which is derived from the verb lá (“to take”), functions like a verb so that the word order in the present perfect tense is that of a serial verb construction.

  • Musa shi dùkùn ― Musa bought a pot
  • Musa á dùkùn shi. ― Musa has bought a pot. (literally, “Musa took a pot to buy”)

Etymology 4

Clipping of gà

Pronunciation

Particle

à

  1. Used to express the future tense (placed before verbs)
    A à lá èbi be nakàn ― They will use a knife to cut the meat

Occitan

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

From Latin ad.

Preposition

a

  1. to
  2. at
Derived terms

Etymology 2

Noun

a f (plural as)

  1. a (the letter a)

Etymology 3

Verb

a

  1. third-person singular present indicative of aver

Old Czech

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *a, from Proto-Balto-Slavic *ō.

Interjection

a

  1. ah!
Descendants
  • Czech: a

Etymology 2

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *a, from Proto-Balto-Slavic *ō.

Particle

a

  1. Connective, contrasitve particle; and
  2. then, as, if
  3. yes, of course

Conjunction

a

  1. and (used to continue a previous statement or to add to it)
  2. and, but, whereas (used contrastively)
Descendants
  • Czech: a

References

Old Danish

Alternative forms

  • aa (Jutlandic)

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

From Old Norse á, from Proto-Germanic *ahwō.

Noun

ā (genitive ār, plural ār)

  1. (Scania) stream, river
Descendants
  • Danish: å

Etymology 2

From Old Norse á, from Proto-Germanic *ana.

Preposition

ā

  1. (Scania) on, in, at
Descendants

Etymology 3

Verb

ā

  1. first/third-person singular present indicative of ēgha

Old Dutch

Etymology

From Proto-West Germanic *ahu.

Noun

ā f

  1. river, stream, water

Inflection

This noun needs an inflection-table template.

Alternative forms

Descendants

  • Middle Dutch: â

Further reading

  • “ā, ē”, in Oudnederlands Woordenboek, 2012

Old English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Proto-West Germanic *aiw, from Proto-Germanic *aiwaz (“eternity, age”).

Pronunciation

Adverb

ā

  1. ever, always

References

Etymology 2

Noun

ā f

  1. Alternative form of ǣ: law

References

Etymology 3

Pronunciation

Preposition

a

  1. Alternative form of on: to, in

References

Old French

Etymology 1

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Old French alphabet, written in the Latin script.

Etymology 2

From Latin ad.

Alternative forms

  • ad
  • à (not in manuscripts; occasionally used by scholars to differentiate between the preposition and the verb form)

Preposition

a

  1. to
  2. towards
  3. belonging to
    fil a putain ― son of a whore
Derived terms
Descendants
  • French: à
    • → Danish: à
    • → Dutch: à
    • → German: à
    • → Hungarian: à
    • → Norwegian Bokmål: à, a
    • → Swedish: à

Etymology 3

Alternative forms

Verb

a

  1. third-person singular present indicative of avoir

Etymology 4

From Latin ab.

Adverb

a

  1. by, by means of

Old Galician-Portuguese

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

Inherited from Latin ad (“toward, to”).

Preposition

a

  1. to; towards

Descendants

  • Fala: a
  • Galician: a
  • Portuguese: a
    • Indo-Portuguese: a

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Article

a f

  1. Alternative spelling of á

Old Irish

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

From Proto-Celtic *sosim (“this”).

Alternative forms

  • (relative pronoun): an

Article

a

  1. nominative/accusative singular neuter of in

For quotations using this term, see Citations:a.

Pronoun

a (triggers eclipsis, takes a leniting relative clause using a deuterotonic or absolute verb form)

  2. that which, what

For quotations using this term, see Citations:a.

Descendants
  • Irish: a
  • Scottish Gaelic: a

Further reading

Etymology 2

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Conjunction

a (triggers eclipsis, takes a nasalizing relative clause)

  1. when

For quotations using this term, see Citations:a.

Etymology 3

From Proto-Celtic *esyo (m and n), *esyās (f), and *ēsom (pl), from Proto-Indo-European *ésyo, genitive singular of *ís and *íd; compare Welsh ei (“his, her, its”), eu (“their”); Old High German iro (“their”); and Sanskrit अस्य (asyá, “his, its”), अस्यास् (asyā́s, “her”), and एषाम् (eṣā́m, “their”).

Alternative forms

Determiner

a (predicative aí or áe) (triggers lenition in the masculine and neuter singular, an unwritten prothetic /h/ before a vowel in the feminine singular, and eclipsis in the plural)

  1. his, its
  2. her, its
  3. their

For quotations using this term, see Citations:a.

Descendants
  • Irish: a (“his, her, its, their”)
  • Scottish Gaelic: a (“his, her, its”); an (“their”)

Further reading

Etymology 4

From Proto-Celtic *ā (compare Welsh a), from Proto-Indo-European *ō (compare Ancient Greek ὦ (ô), Latin ō).

Alternative forms

Particle

a (triggers lenition)

  1. O (vocative particle)

For quotations using this term, see Citations:a.

Descendants
  • Irish: a
  • Scottish Gaelic: a

Further reading

Etymology 5

Particle

a (triggers an unwritten prothetic /h/ before a vowel)

  1. introduces a numeral
    a deich ― ten
Descendants
  • Irish: a
  • Scottish Gaelic: a

Further reading

Etymology 6

From Proto-Celtic *exs, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁eǵʰs.

Preposition

a (combined with plural article asnaib, combined with 1st singular possessive determiner asmo, combined with 3rd person possessive determiner assa)

  1. out of

For quotations using this term, see Citations:a.

Inflection
Inflection of a
Person Normal Emphatic
1st person sing. asum
2d person sing. essiut
3d sing. masc./neut., dative as(s), es
3d sing. masc./neut., accusative
3d sing. fem., dative e(i)ssi, esse essisi
3d sing. fem., accusative
1st person pl.
2d person pl.
3d person pl., dative es(s)ib, eissib
3d person pl., accusative
Related terms
Descendants
  • Irish: as
  • Manx: ass
  • Scottish Gaelic: à

Further reading

Old Polish

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *a. First attested in the first half of 14th century.

Interjection

a

  1. ah! (used when the speaker has remembered or noticed something)
Descendants
  • Masurian: a
  • Polish: a
  • Silesian: a

Etymology 2

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *a, from Proto-Balto-Slavic *ō. First attested in the first half of 14th century.

Conjunction

a

  1. and (used to continue a previous statement or to add to it)
  2. and, but, whereas (used contrastively)
  3. and then (used to say an event will occur if some requirement is fulfilled)
  4. emphasizes a question
  5. introduces a new sentences
Related terms
Descendants
  • Masurian: a
  • Polish: a
  • Silesian: a

References

Old Swedish

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Old Norse á, from Proto-Germanic *ahwō.

Pronunciation

Noun

ā f

  1. creek, river

Declension

Declension of ā (ō-stem)
singular plural
indefinite definite indefinite definite
nominative ā āin ā(r) āna(r)
accusative ā āna ā(r) āna(r)
dative ā ānni ām āmin, -men
genitive ā(r) ārinnar ā ānna

Descendants

  • Swedish: å

References

Omaha-Ponca

Noun

a

  1. arm

References

Ometepec Nahuatl

Noun

a

  1. water

Oromo

Noun

a (plural aa)

  1. The first letter of the Oromo alphabet, written in the Latin script.

Palauan

Etymology 1

From Pre-Palauan *a, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *a.

Article

a

  1. a, the

Etymology 2

From Pre-Palauan *a, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *a, from Proto-Austronesian *a.

Conjunction

a

  1. linking particle

Papiamentu

Etymology 1

Letter

a (lower case upper case, A)

  1. The first letter of the Papiamentu alphabet, written in the Latin script.

Etymology 2

Particle

a

  1. Indicates the past tense.
    Mi a papia kuné. ― I talked to him.

Etymology 3

From Portuguese a.

Preposition

a

  1. to
  2. by
  3. at
Usage notes
  • Only used in set expressions from Spanish.

Polish

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

The Polish orthography is based on the Latin alphabet. No earlier script is known. See the history of Polish orthography article on Wikipedia for more, and a for development of the glyph itself.

Letter

a (lowercase, uppercase A)

  1. The first letter of the Polish alphabet, written in the Latin script.
    małe a ― a minuscule/small/little a
    duże a ― a capital/big/large a
See also

Etymology 2

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.) First attested in the the year 1551.

Noun

a n (indeclinable)

  1. a, near-open central vowel
    samogłoska a ― the vowel a
    powiedzieć a ― to say a
  2. (music) a (note)
    zagrać a ― to play an a
    zaśpiewać a ― to sing an a

Related terms

Etymology 3

Abbreviation of ar.

Noun

a m inan

  1. (metrology) Abbreviation of ar.

Etymology 4

Inherited from Old Polish a.

Conjunction

a

  1. and, but, whereas (used contrastively)
    A ty? ― And you?
    Wolisz tabletki, a ja wolę zastrzyki. ― You prefer pills whereas I prefer injections.
  2. and (used to continue a previous statement or to add to it)
    walka między dobrem a złem ― battle between good and evil
  3. and then (used to say an event will occur if some requirement is fulfilled)
    Poszukasz, a znajdziesz. ― If you seek it, then you shall find it.
  4. and (used after a verb to indicate it will last a long time)
    pracować a pracować ― to work and work (for a long time)
  5. such and such (used when the speaker does not want to be more specific, when repeating an element)
  6. is (used to show some connection between two objects which are very different from each other)
  7. what about
    Ja jestem gotowy, a ty? ― I'm ready, what about you?
Derived terms
Related terms

Etymology 5

Inherited from Old Polish a.

Interjection

a

  1. ah! (used when the speaker has remembered or noticed something)

Trivia

According to Słownik frekwencyjny polszczyzny współczesnej (1990), a is one of the most used words in Polish, appearing 555 times in scientific texts, 307 times in news, 507 times in essays, 703 times in fiction, and 1175 times in plays, each out of a corpus of 100,000 words, totaling 3226 times, making it the 13th most common word in a corpus of 500,000 words.

References

  1. ^ Maria Renata Mayenowa, Stanisław Rospond, Witold Taszycki, Stefan Hrabec, Władysław Kuraszkiewicz (2010-2023) “a”, in Słownik Polszczyzny XVI Wieku [A Dictionary of 16th Century Polish]
  2. ^ Ida Kurcz (1990) “a”, in Słownik frekwencyjny polszczyzny współczesnej [Frequency dictionary of the Polish language]‎ (in Polish), volume 1, Kraków, Warszawa: Polska Akademia Nauk. Instytut Języka Polskiego, page 1

Further reading

  • a in Wielki słownik języka polskiego, Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN
  • a in Polish dictionaries at PWN
  • Maria Renata Mayenowa, Stanisław Rospond, Witold Taszycki, Stefan Hrabec, Władysław Kuraszkiewicz (2010-2023) “a”, in Słownik Polszczyzny XVI Wieku [A Dictionary of 16th Century Polish]
  • Maria Renata Mayenowa, Stanisław Rospond, Witold Taszycki, Stefan Hrabec, Władysław Kuraszkiewicz (2010-2023) “a”, in Słownik Polszczyzny XVI Wieku [A Dictionary of 16th Century Polish]
  • “A”, in Elektroniczny Słownik Języka Polskiego XVII i XVIII Wieku [Electronic Dictionary of the Polish Language of the XVII and XVIII Century], 2022 May 31
  • Samuel Bogumił Linde (1807–1814) “a”, in Słownik języka polskiego‎
  • Aleksander Zdanowicz (1861) “a”, in Słownik języka polskiego, Wilno 1861‎
  • J. Karłowicz, A. Kryński, W. Niedźwiedzki, editors (1900), “a”, in Słownik języka polskiego‎ (in Polish), volume 1, Warsaw, page 1

Portuguese

Pronunciation

letter
article, pronoun

Etymology 1

From Latin a, form of A, from Etruscan 𐌀 (a), from Ancient Greek Α (A, “alpha”), from Phoenician 𐤀 (ʾ, “aleph”), from Egyptian 𓃾.

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  2. The first letter of the Portuguese alphabet, written in the Latin script.
See also

Noun

a m (plural as)

  2. Alternative spelling of á
Related terms

Etymology 2

From Old Galician-Portuguese a, from Latin illa (with the disappearance of an initial l; compare Spanish la).

Article

a

  2. feminine singular of o
Quotations

For quotations using this term, see Citations:o.

See also
Portuguese articles (edit)
Singular Plural
Masculine Feminine Masculine Feminine
Definite articles
(the) 		o a os as
Indefinite articles
(a, an; some) 		um uma uns umas

Pronoun

a f (third-person singular)

  2. her, it (as a direct object; as an indirect object, see lhe; after prepositions, see ela)
    Encontrei-a na rua. ― I met her/it on the street.
Usage notes
  • Becomes -la after verb forms ending in -r, -s, or -z, the pronouns nos (“us”) and vos (“plural you”), and the adverb eis (“here is; behold”); the final letter causing the change disappears.
    After ver (“to see”): Posso vê-la? — “May I see her/it?”
    After pôs (“he/she/it put”): Ele pô-la ali. — “He put her/it there.”
    After fiz (“I made; I did”): Fi-la ficar contente. — “I made her/it become happy.”
    After nos (“us”): Ela deu-no-la relutantemente. — “She gave her/it to us reluctantly.”
    After eis (“here is; behold”): Ei-la! — “Behold her/it!”
  • Becomes -na after a nasal vowel or diphthong: -ão, -am , -õe , -em, -êm .
    Detêm-na como prisioneira. — “They detain her/it as a prisoner.”
  • In informal Brazilian Portuguese, the nominative form ela (“she”) is more commonly used.
    Eu a vi. → Eu vi ela.: “I saw her/it.”
Quotations

For quotations using this term, see Citations:a.

See also

See Template:Portuguese personal pronouns for more.

Etymology 3

From Old Galician-Portuguese a, from Latin ad (“to”) and ab (“from, away, by”).

Preposition

a

  2. to, introduces the indirect object
    Synonym: para
    Dê-o a mim. ― Give it to me.
    Meu coração pertence a você. ― My heart belongs to you.
  4. to; towards, indicates destination
    Synonyms: para, até
    Vamos a Paris! ― Let’s go to Paris!
  6. away, indicates a physical distance
    A vila fica a onze milhas ― The village is eleven miles away.
    Comunicação à distância. ― Communication at a distance.
  8. with; by means of, using as an instrument or means
    Synonyms: com, por meio de
    Mataram o cão a pauladas. ― They bludgeoned the dog to death. (literally, “they killed the dog with bludgeonings”)
    A cavalo. ― On horseback.
    Livro escrito a lápis. ― A book written with a pencil.
  10. with; on, using as a medium or fuel
    Quadro pintado a óleo. ― A painting painted with oil.
    Fornalha a carvão. ― Coal furnace.
  12. by, using the specified measurement; in the specified quantity
    É mais barato comprar comida ao quilo. ― It is cheaper to by food by the kilogram.
    Os fracassos ocorrem às dezenas. ― Failures occur by the dozen.
  14. (preceded and followed by the same word) by, indicates a steady progression
    Synonym: por
    Calma lá. Resolva o problema passo a passo. ― Easy there. Solve the problem step by step.
  16. in the style or manner of; a la
    Synonym: ao modo de
    Ele puxou o temperamento ao pai. ― He inherited his temperament from his father.
    Camarão à grega. ― Greek-style shrimp.
  18. (limited use, see usage notes) at, during the specified period
    Synonyms: em, de
    Dormimos à noite. ― We sleep at night.
    O filme começa às duas horas. ― The film starts at two o’clock.
  20. (rare except in set terms) at; in, indicates a location or position
    Synonym: em
    Isto fica à frente do altar. ― This stays in front of the altar.
  22. indicates the direct object, mainly to avoid confusion when it, the subject, or both are displaced, or for emphasis
    A mim ele não engana. ― He doesn’t deceive me. (literally, “To me he doesn’t deceive.”)
  24. (followed by a verb in the infinitive form) forms the present participle
    Estou a preparar a canja. ― I am preparing the chicken soup.
  26. (followed by an infinitive or present passive) to, forms the future participle
    Synonyms: para, por
    Um trabalho a ser feito. ― A job to be done.
    Nada a fazer. ― Nothing to be done.
Usage notes

When followed by a definite article, a is combined with the article to give the following combined forms:

In the sense of to (introducing the indirect object) usage with a personal pronoun can be replaced with an indirect pronoun (me, nos, te, vos, lhe, lhes):

  • Deram um livro a ele. → Deram-lhe um livro.

In the sense of at (during the specified period) it can be used with:

Dia (“day”), manhã (“morning”), madrugada (“early morning”) use de (“of”) instead, which can optionally be used for tarde, noitinha and noite as well. Names of months, days of the month and of the week use em (“in”).

Quotations

For quotations using this term, see Citations:a.

Descendants
  • Indo-Portuguese: a
See also

Etymology 4

Alternative forms

Interjection

a

  2. oh, expression of mild surprise
    A, tudo bem então.
    Oh, all right then.
Quotations

For quotations using this term, see Citations:a.

Etymology 5

From homophone há.

Verb

a

  1. Misspelling of há.
Quotations

For quotations using this term, see Citations:a.

Etymology 6

From homophone à.

Contraction

a

  1. Misspelling of à.
Quotations

For quotations using this term, see Citations:a.

Rapa Nui

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈa/
  • Hyphenation: a

Etymology 1

From Proto-Polynesian *a. Cognates include Maori a and Tongan ʻa.

Article

a

  1. the personal article, used before proper nouns

Etymology 2

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *a. Cognates include Hawaiian ā and Maori ā.

Preposition

a

  1. along, towards

References

  • Paulus Kieviet (2017) A grammar of Rapa Nui‎, Berlin: Language Science Press, →ISBN, page 102

Rawang

Pronunciation

Suffix

a

  1. verbal suffix for marking benefactive of the V.

Pronoun

a (upper case A)

  1. proximate demonstrative pronoun
    Alòng èlámò.
    Dry this one.
    Ló webǿng nàí baqòé, ngàí abǿng bakngò lé" wa.
    Well, you carry that side, I will carry this side.
    A wedø nø bvttut mvjòǃ
    Oh, it is absolutely wrong to do (it) that way.

Romagnol

Etymology 1

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

  • (Central Romagnol): IPA(key):

Verb

a

  1. third-person singular/plural present indicative of avér (“to have”)

Etymology 2

From Latin ego.

Pronoun

a (plural a)

  1. (Ville Unite) I
  2. (Ville Unite) plural of a (“we”)
  3. (Ville Unite) plural of te (“you”)

Etymology 3

Inherited from Latin ad, a (“to, toward”).

Preposition

a

  1. to; at

Romani

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Romani alphabet, written in the Latin script.
See also

Etymology 2

Interjection

a

  1. oh, ah

References

  • Yūsuke Sumi (2018) “a”, in ニューエクスプレス　ロマ（ジプシー）語 [New Express Romani (Gypsy)] (in Japanese), Tokyo: Hakusuisha, →ISBN, page 134

Romanian

Pronunciation

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Romanian alphabet, written in the Latin script.

See also

Etymology 1

Article

a

  1. feminine singular of al (“of”, possessive article)

Etymology 2

From Latin ad, from Proto-Indo-European *ád (“near; at”).

Preposition

a

  1. (used with infinitive verbs) the infinitive marker: to
    a fi ― to be
  2. (obsolete) at (now almost completely replaced by la)
  3. (used only with a few perception verbs like suna, mirosi, arăta) like, of

Etymology 3

From Proto-Romanian, from a late Vulgar Latin *ae(t), from Latin habet.

Verb

(el/ea) a (modal auxiliary, third-person singular form of avea, used with past participles to form perfect compus tenses)

  1. modal auxiliary
    (he/she) has...
    A văzut acest film?
    Has he/she seen this film?
Usage notes

a is used instead of are to form the third-person singular perfect compus.

References

  1. ^ http://www.lingv.ro/RRL%201-2%202009%20Nevaci,%20Todi.pdf

Sardinian

Etymology 1

From Latin ac, alternative form of atque (“and, and also; as, then”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /a/ (triggers final cogemination (syntactic gemination of the initial consonant of the following word) in senses 1 and 2)

Conjunction

a

  1. (Nuorese) Only used in che a (“like, as”)
  2. (Campidanese) Only used in tottu a and a tottu
  3. used in the words for the numbers 17 and 19
    1. (Logudorese) Only used in degasette (“seventeen”)
    2. (Campidanese) Only used in dexasetti (“seventeen”) and degannoi (“nineteen”)
    3. (Nuorese) Only used in decassette (“seventeen”) and decannobe (“nineteen”)

Etymology 2

From Latin ad from Proto-Italic *ad, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd (“near, at”).

Alternative forms

  • ad (used before vowel-initial words)
  • an (Nuorese, before words starting with d-)

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): (Logudorese, Nuorese) /a/ (triggers final cogemination (syntactic gemination of the initial consonant of the following word))
  • IPA(key): (Campidanese) /a/ (often does not trigger final cogemination)

Preposition

a

  1. indicates the indirect object; to
  2. indicates the place; in, to
  3. denotes the manner; with
    a pe' (Logudorese) ― on foot

Etymology 3

From Latin aut (“or”), from Proto-Italic *auti, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ewti (“on the other hand”), derived from *h₂ew (“away from, off”). Doublet of o.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /a/ (triggers final cogemination (syntactic gemination of the initial consonant of the following word))

Conjunction

a

  1. (central Sardinia) Used to introduce a question or an exhortation
    a benis? ― are you coming?
    a nos pasamos! ― Let's rest!
Usage notes
  • Used in expressions such as a chie ... a chie ... (Logudorese, Nuorese) and a chini ... a chini ... (Campidanese)
    a chie ridet, a chie pranghet (Nuorese) ― one laughs, the other one cries (literally, “ who laughs, who cries”)
    • In these expressions, e can be used instead of a, though it's not common.
Derived terms

References

  • Wagner, Max Leopold (1960–1964) “a1”, in Dizionario etimologico sardo, Heidelberg
  • Wagner, Max Leopold (1960–1964) “a2”, in Dizionario etimologico sardo, Heidelberg
  • Wagner, Max Leopold (1960–1964) “a3”, in Dizionario etimologico sardo, Heidelberg

Sassarese

Alternative forms

  • ad (before a vowel)

Etymology

From Latin ad, from Proto-Italic *ad, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd.

Pronunciation

Preposition

a

  2. Used to indicate the target or recipient of an action; to, sometimes untranslated
    • 1866 [1770s], Antonio Martini, chapter VI, in Giovanni Spano, transl., L'ebagneliu sigundu S. Matteju [The Gospel according to St. Matthew]‎, London, translation of Il santo Vangelo di Gesù Cristo secondo Matteo (in Italian), verse 14, page 19:
      Si però no abeddi a paldunà all’ omini: nemmancu lu voltru Babbu paldunarà a voi li voltri piccaddi.
      [Si però no abeddi a pardhunà a l'omini: nemmancu lu vosthru Babbu pardhunarà a voi li vosthri piccaddi.]
      But, if you won't forgive man, neither will your Father forgive you for your sins.
    • c. 19th century, Sebastiano di Branca, “”, in Giovanni Spano, editor, Canti popolari in dialetto sassarese‎, volume 1 (overall work in Italian and Sassarese), Cagliari, published 1873, song 1, page 59:
      Divìlu a cha t’ha mandaddu
      Ch’iltoggu com’ edda sà,
      Ch’è superflu priguntà
      Com’ iltazi un dildiciaddu.
      [Dìvvilu a ca t'ha mandaddu
      Ch'isthoggu com' edda sa
      Ch'è superfluu priguntà
      Com' isthazi un disdhicciaddu.]
      Tell it to the one who sent you, that I feel exactly like she knows; for it is superfluous to ask an unfortunate how he's doing.
    • 1989, Giovanni Maria Cherchi, “Primabéra [Spring]”, in La poesia di l'althri (overall work in Sassarese and Italian), Sassari: Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, page 13:
      Lu branu a me no piazi
      I don't like spring
      (literally, “The spring to me is not pleasant”)
  4. Used to indicate destination; to
    • 1866 [1770s], Antonio Martini, chapter III, in Giovanni Spano, transl., L'ebagneliu sigundu S. Matteju [The Gospel according to St. Matthew]‎, London, translation of Il santo Vangelo di Gesù Cristo secondo Matteo (in Italian), verse 7, page 8:
      Videndi però assai di li Farisei, e di li Sadduzzei, chi viniani a lu so’ battisgimu, li dizisi: Razza di pibbari, ca vi ha ammultraddu di fuggì dall’ira, chi debi vinì?
      [Videndi però assai di li Farisei, e di li Sadduzzei, chi vinìani a lu so' battìsgimu, li dizisi: Razza di pìbbari, ca vi ha ammusthraddu di fuggì da l’ira, chi debi vinì?]
      But he, seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were coming to his baptism, told them: "You vipers! Who showed you to flee from the wrath that is to come?
    • 1956, Salvator Ruju, “Pascha d’amòri [Easter of love]”, in Agnireddu e Rusina; republished as Caterina Ruju, editor, Sassari véccia e nóba, Nuoro: Ilisso edizioni, 2001, →ISBN, page 75:
      Chi prufumi di fiòri,
      canti disìzi i lu córi!
      Giunti sò li rissignóri
      a la Pascha di l’amòri.
      Such a sweet smell of flowers; so many desires inside the heart! The nightingales have come to the Easter of love.
  6. Used to indicate purpose; to
    • 1866 [1770s], Antonio Martini, chapter II, in Giovanni Spano, transl., L'ebagneliu sigundu S. Matteju [The Gospel according to St. Matthew]‎, London, translation of Il santo Vangelo di Gesù Cristo secondo Matteo (in Italian), verse 23, page 7:
      E andesi a abità in la ziddai, chi si ciama Nazaret
      And he went to live in the city that is called Nazareth
    • 1956, Salvator Ruju, “Nò è succu nò l'amòri [No, love is not pastina]”, in Agnireddu e Rusina; republished as Caterina Ruju, editor, Sassari véccia e nóba, Nuoro: Ilisso edizioni, 2001, →ISBN, page 61:
      Sòri e luna gira gira
      zi passabani li dì.
      Trabagliaba a fà siènda.
      Sun and moon going around, the days went by. I was working to make money.
  8. Used with adverbs expressing position or proximity; to, sometimes untranslated
    • 1866 [1770s], Antonio Martini, chapter IV, in Giovanni Spano, transl., L'ebagneliu sigundu S. Matteju [The Gospel according to St. Matthew]‎, London, translation of Il santo Vangelo di Gesù Cristo secondo Matteo (in Italian), verse 17, page 11:
      Caminendi però Gesù vizinu a lu mari di Galilea, vidisi due fraddeddi, Scimoni, chi si ciama Peddru, e Andria so’ fraddeddu, chi gittabani la rezza in mari (palchì erani pilcadori)
      [Caminendi però Gesù vizinu a lu mari di Galilea, vidisi due fraddeddi, Scimoni, chi si ciama Peddru, e Andria so’ fraddeddu, chi gittàbani la rezza in mari (parchì érani pischadori)]
      But Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers: Simon, named Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a drag into the sea (for they were fishers)
      (literally, “Walking however Jesus close to the sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, who were throwing a net into the sea (because they were fishers)”)
    • 1956, Salvator Ruju, Sassari véccia e nóba; republished as Caterina Ruju, editor, Sassari véccia e nóba, Nuoro: Ilisso edizioni, 2001, →ISBN, page 77:
      Èdda è sèmpri cu la frébba
      candu noi passemu impari
      sott’a lu só balchòni.
      She always has a fever whenever we pass, together, under her balcony.
  10. Used to indicate a moment in time; at
    • 1956, Salvator Ruju, “In triatu [At the theater]”, in Agnireddu e Rusina; republished as Caterina Ruju, editor, Sassari véccia e nóba, Nuoro: Ilisso edizioni, 2001, →ISBN, page 78:
      Chi nuttada di duròri!
      Nò pudia più rassignammi
      ma se’ giunta a cunfurthammi
      a l’iscida di lu sòri.
      What a night of torment! I could no longer make peace with that, but you came to comfort me at the break of dawn.
      (literally, “What a night of pain! I couldn't anymore make peace, but you came to comfort me at the coming out of the sun.”)
    • 1989, Giovanni Maria Cherchi, “Dipididda [Departure]”, in La poesia di l'althri (overall work in Sassarese and Italian), Sassari: Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, page 15:
      Lu disthinu di l’ommu ciamba pianu,
      ma caggi a una zerth’ora […]
      The fate of man changes slowly, but it arrives at some point
  12. Used to indicate a period of time; in
    • 1956, Salvator Ruju, “Nò è succu nò l'amòri [No, love is not pastina]”, in Agnireddu e Rusina; republished as Caterina Ruju, editor, Sassari véccia e nóba, Nuoro: Ilisso edizioni, 2001, →ISBN, page 61:
      A li festhi, dugna tantu,
      i l’isthagnu e i lu riu
      cazzïendi a spassamira.
      In the festivities, every so often, hunting in the pond, or in the stream, to have fun.
  14. in, about, with regard to
    • c. 19th century, anonymous author, “”, in Giovanni Spano, editor, Canti popolari in dialetto sassarese‎, volume 1 (overall work in Italian and Sassarese), Cagliari, published 1873, song 15, page 87:
      Dunca lu megliu è
      Tu pensa a la to’ pazi, ed eju a me.
      [Dunca lu mégliu è
      Tu pensa a la to' pazi, ed éiu a' me.]
      So the best is: you think about your own peace, and I about myself.
    • 1989, Giovanni Maria Cherchi, “Un cuntaddu [A tale]”, in La poesia di l'althri (overall work in Sassarese and Italian), Sassari: Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, page 49:
      Erani amigghi cari, ma, girosi
      l’unu di l’althru, […]
      […]
      s’invintàbani umbè d’innamuraddi
      gariggendi a ca più fèmmini v'abìa.
      They were close friends, but, jealous of one another, they would make up lots of lovers, competing for having the most girls.
      (literally, “They were dear friends, but, jealous one of the other, they invented lots of lovers, competing in who had the most girls.”)
  16. Used to indicate a comparison; to
    • 1866 [1770s], Antonio Martini, chapter VI, in Giovanni Spano, transl., L'ebagneliu sigundu S. Matteju [The Gospel according to St. Matthew]‎, London, translation of Il santo Vangelo di Gesù Cristo secondo Matteo (in Italian), verse 8, page 18:
      No vògliaddi dunca assimigliavvi a eddis. Palchì lu voltru Babbu sa lu chi è nezzessariu a voi, prima chi vi lu dimàndiaddi.
      [No vógliaddi dunca assimigliavvi a eddi. Parchì lu vosthru Babbu sa lu chi è nezzessàriu a voi, prima chi vi lu dimàndiaddi.]
      So do not be similar to them, because your Father knows what you need, before you ask him.
  18. Denotes the direct object
    • 1866 [1770s], Antonio Martini, chapter I, in Giovanni Spano, transl., L'ebagneliu sigundu S. Matteju [The Gospel according to St. Matthew]‎, London, translation of Il santo Vangelo di Gesù Cristo secondo Matteo (in Italian), verse 2, page 1:
      Abramu generesi a Isaccu. Isaccu generesi a Giacobbu. Giacobbu generesi a Giuda, e a li so’ fraddeddi.
      Abraham begot Isaac, and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers
    • c. 19th century, Gavino Serra, “”, in Giovanni Spano, editor, Canti popolari in dialetto sassarese‎, volume 2 (overall work in Italian and Sassarese), Cagliari, song 42, page 129:
      Di tanti cantendi, e tanti
      Mancuna incantesi a me,
      Ma da ch’aggiu intesu a te
      Tu sei l’unica ch’incanti.
      Of so, so many singers, not one enchanted me; yet, since I've heard you, you're the only one who enchants.
    • 1956, Salvator Ruju, “Tuttu m’ammentu… [I remember everything…]”, in Agnireddu e Rusina, page 123; republished as Caterina Ruju, editor, Sassari véccia e nóba, Nuoro: Ilisso edizioni, 2001, →ISBN:
      E nò l’aggiu iparadi chissi ingordhi
      isthruidori d’abi
      pa cuntintà a tè.
      And I didn't shoot those greedy destroyers of bees, just to make you happy.
    • 1989, Giovanni Maria Cherchi, “Lu trabagliu [Work]”, in La poesia di l'althri (overall work in Italian and Sassarese), Sassari: Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, page 23:
      Abà zappu una terra asciutta e tóstha
      azzuppendi a la rocca,
      a la prunizza. […]
      Here I hoe dry, hard land, clashing against rock and thornbush.
  20. Indicates manner.
    • c. 19th century, anonymous author, “”, in Giovanni Spano, editor, Canti popolari in dialetto sassarese‎, volume 2 (overall work in Italian and Sassarese), Cagliari, song 15, page 90:
      A cori abbeltu e cun sinziriddai
      Ti diggu chi soggu omu
      [A cori abbérthu e cun sinziriddai
      Ti diggu chi soggu omu]
      With an open heart, and with honesty, I tell you that I am a man
    • 1956, Salvator Ruju, “In triatu [At the theater]”, in Agnireddu e Rusina; republished as Caterina Ruju, editor, Sassari véccia e nóba, Nuoro: Ilisso edizioni, 2001, →ISBN, page 78:
      E più bèdda éri di tanti
      chi i li palchi a mill’ischudi,
      a pittorri e a brazzi nudi,
      facci tinti e in brillanti,
      mi pariani puppì
      assintadi i la musthrina.
      And you were more beautiful than so many , who—on thousand-dollars stages, with bare breasts and arms, painted faces, and bejewelled, looked to me like dolls set in a showcase.
      (literally, “And more beautiful you were than many who on the stages for a thousand scudos, with breasts and with arms bare, faces painted and in jewels, to me seemed dolls sat in the showcase.”)
  22. Indicates shape.
    • 1956, Salvator Ruju, “Ischolta, Rimundì! [Listen, Raimondica!]”, in Agnireddu e Rusina; republished as Caterina Ruju, editor, Sassari véccia e nóba, Nuoro: Ilisso edizioni, 2001, →ISBN, page 70:
      Peggiu pa tè chi sei fea,
      nasu a boccia e musthazzuda,
      faccia di giàtta marruda,
      vèrdhi cument’e la zèa.
      Sucks to be you, being ugly, ball-shaped nose, and moustached, sharp catlike face, green like beet.
  24. Used to introduce a question.
    • 1956, Salvator Ruju, “Màggiu [May]”, in Agnireddu e Rusina; republished as Caterina Ruju, editor, Sassari véccia e nóba, Nuoro: Ilisso edizioni, 2001, →ISBN, page 81:
      A mi credi, Rusì, ch’era pinsendi
      a Giuseppinu candu sarà mannu?
      Mi pari di vidéllu a cabidannu
      in mézu a tutti l’althri vinnannendi.
      Can you believe, Rosina, that I was thinking about Giuseppino, when he's going to be grown up? I can almost see him, in September, harvesting grapes amongst all the others.
      (literally, “Do you believe me, Rosina, that I was thinking about Giuseppino, when he will be big? It seems to me to see him in September in the middle of all the others harvesting grapes.”)
    • 2020 March 25, Ignazio Sanna, “Di nomme fozzu Asdrubale [My name is Asdrubale]”, in Ignazio Sanna - Prosa e poesia in sassarese‎:
      Ma tu ca sei? Da undi n’accùdi? Ah, t’abìa invitaddu Antonio? A lu sai chi da abà ti baddarài di lu frèddu a la sóra?
      Who are you? Where are you from? Oh, so Antonio invited you? Do you know that from now on you're going to dance alone in the cold?

References

  • Rubattu, Antoninu (2006) Dizionario universale della lingua di Sardegna, 2nd edition, Sassari: Edes

Satawalese

Pronunciation

IPA(key): /a/

Pronoun

a (third-person singular)

  1. he
  2. she
  3. it

References

Kevin M. Roddy (2007), "A Sketch Grammar Of Satawalese, The Language Of Satawal Island, Yap State, Micronesia"

Scots

Etymology 1

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Scots alphabet, written in the Latin script.
See also

Etymology 2

From Middle English a, from Old English ān (“one; a; lone; sole”).

Pronunciation

Article

a

  1. a, an (indefinite article)
Usage notes
  • Unlike English, this form can be used before both consonant and vowel sounds. However, this is not often the case in written Scots, probably due to the influence of English.
Synonyms
  • (before a vowel): an

References

  1. ^ https://dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/a_indef_art

Etymology 3

Determiner

a

  1. Alternative form of a'

Adverb

a

  1. Alternative form of a'

Noun

a (uncountable)

  1. Alternative form of a'

References

Scottish Gaelic

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): (etymologies 2-8) /ə/, (etymologies 1 and 9) /a/
  • Hyphenation: a

Etymology 1

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Scottish Gaelic alphabet, written in the Latin script. It is followed by b. Its traditional name is ailm (“elm”).
See also

Etymology 2

From Old Irish a, from Proto-Celtic *ā. Cognates include Irish a and Welsh a.

Particle

a (triggers lenition)

  1. Used to mark a vocative; O
    Halò, a Ruairidh. ― Hello, (O) Roderick.

Etymology 3

From Old Irish a. Cognates include Irish a.

Determiner

a

  1. (triggers lenition) his, its
  2. (triggers H-prothesis) her, its
See also
Scottish Gaelic possessive determiners
Singular Plural
+ C + V + C + V
First person moL m' ar arN
Second person doL d' ur urN
Third person m aL — an, am1) an
Third person f a aH
L Triggers lenition; H Triggers H-prothesis; N Triggers eclipsis; 1) Used before b-, f-, m- or p-

Etymology 4

From Old Irish a. Cognates include Irish a.

Pronoun

a (governs the relative form of the verb)

  1. who, which, that
    Cuin a chluinneas tu e? ― When will you hear it? (literally, “When that you will hear it?”)

Etymology 5

From Old Irish a. Cognates include Irish a.

Particle

a (triggers H-prothesis)

  1. Used before cardinal numbers not succeded by a noun
    A bheil agad a ceithir? ― Do you have four?

Etymology 6

From Old Irish a. Cognates include Irish a.

Particle

a (triggers lenition)

  1. Used to mark the infinitive of a verb; to
    Tha mi a' dol a chadal. ― I'm going to sleep.

Etymology 7

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Preposition

a (+ dative, triggers lenition of consonants and Dh-prothesis of vowels)

  1. Reduced form of do
  2. Reduced form of de

Etymology 8

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Particle

a (triggers lenition)

  1. Form of an used before bheil
Usage notes
  • Less frequently, am may be used before bheil as well.

Etymology 9

Interjection

a!

  1. ah!
Alternative forms

References

  • MacBain, Alexander, Mackay, Eneas (1911) “a”, in An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language‎, Stirling, →ISBN
  • Colin Mark (2003) The Gaelic-English dictionary, London: Routledge, →ISBN, page 1
  • Edward Dwelly (1911) “a”, in Faclair Gàidhlig gu Beurla le Dealbhan [The Illustrated Gaelic–English Dictionary]‎, 10th edition, Edinburgh: Birlinn Limited, →ISBN

Serbo-Croatian

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

See Translingual section.

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The 1st letter of the Serbo-Croatian Latin alphabet (gajica), followed by b.

Etymology 2

From Proto-Slavic *a (“and, but”).

Conjunction

a (Cyrillic spelling а)

  1. but, and (compare ȁli)
    Učio sam c(ij)elo posl(ij)epodne, a ništa nisam naučio. ― I studied for the whole afternoon, but I didn't learn anything.
    A kako biste vi to napravili? ― And how would you do that?
  2. while (on the contrary), whereas
    Stolovi su crveni, a stolice su zelene. ― The tables are red, whereas the chairs are green.
  3. (with da ne) without (usually after negative verbs)
    Ne mogu se uključiti u raspravu, a da ne napravim nered. ― I cannot enter a discussion without making a mess.
    Odlazi, a da nije rekao ni zbogom. ― He's leaving without even saying goodbye.
  4. (a ȉpāk) and yet
    Pravi prijatelj zna sve o tebi, a ipak te voli. ― The real friend knows everything about you, and yet he loves you.
  5. (a kȁmoli) not to mention, let alone
    U moru loših v(ij)esti teško je ostati objektivan, a kamoli optimističan. ― In the sea of bad news it's hard to stay objective, let alone optimistic.
  6. (a + i + da) even if
    A i da jesam to napravio, ne bi to učinilo neku razliku. ― Even if I did it, it wouldn't have made much of a difference.
  7. (a + i) and so, and also, and too
    Sviđaju mi se plavuše, a i ja se pokojoj svidim. ― I like blondes, and some of them even like me.
    Bili su žalosni, a i ja sam. ― They were sad, and so am I.

Etymology 3

Attested since the 15th century. Probably of onomatopoeic origin. Compare Slovene a, Russian а (a), Lithuanian õ, Latin ō and Ancient Greek ὦ (ô). These could all derive from Proto-Indo-European interjection *ō (“oh, ah”), but each form in individual languages could easily be an independent, expressive formation.

Interjection

a (Cyrillic spelling а)

  1. oh, ah
    a da? ― oh really?

References

  • “a” in Hrvatski jezični portal
  • “a” in Hrvatski jezični portal
  • Skok, Petar (1971) “a”, in Etimologijski rječnik hrvatskoga ili srpskoga jezika [Etymological Dictionary of the Croatian or Serbian Language] (in Serbo-Croatian), volumes 1 (A – J), Zagreb: JAZU, page 1

Sicilian

Etymology 1

From Latin ā (the name of the letter A).

Pronunciation

Noun

a f

  1. The name of the Latin-script letter A.; a

Etymology 2

From the lenition of la, from the apheresis of Vulgar Latin *illa, from Latin illam, from illa.

Pronunciation

Article

a f sg (m u, plural i)

  1. the (feminine singular definite article)
    Synonym: la
Usage notes
  • As for other Romance languages, such as Neapolitan or Portuguese, Sicilian definite articles have undergone a consonant lenition that has led to the phonetic fall of the initial l. The use of this illiquid variant has not yet made the use of liquid variants disappear, but today it is still the prevalent use in speech and writing.
  • In the case of the production of literary texts, such as singing or poetry, or of formal and institutional texts, resorting to "liquid articles" and "liquid articulated prepositions" confers greater euphony to the text, although it may sound a form of courtly recovery.
  • Illiquid definite articles can be phonetically absorbed by the following noun. I.e: l'arancina (liquid) and ârancina (illiquid).
Inflection
Sicilian articles
Masculine singular definite article Feminine singular definite article Masculine and feminine plural definite article
Definite articles (liquid) lu la li
Definite articles (illiquid) u a i
Definite articles nu
(also: un,'n) 		na

Etymology 3

From the lenition of la, from the apheresis of Vulgar Latin *illa, from Latin illam, from illa.

Alternative forms

  • la (liquid form)

Pronunciation

Pronoun

a f sg (plural i, masculine u)

  1. (accusative) her
    Synonym: la
    A canusci? ― Do you know her?
  2. (accusative) it, this or that thing
    Synonym: la
    Quannu tâ desi. ― When I gave it to you.
Usage notes
  • This pronoun can blend in contracted forms with other particles, especially other personal pronominal particles.
Inflection
Sicilian pronominal particles
Masculine singular pronominal particles Feminine singular pronominal particles Masculine and feminine plural pronominal particles
mi mû mâ mî
ti tû tâ tî
ci ci u ci a cî
ni nû nâ nî
vi vû vâ vî
ci ci u ci a cî

Etymology 4

From the merge of Latin ad and ab.

Preposition

a

  1. indicates the indirect object; to
    Porta stu panaru â nanna.
    Bring this basket to grandma.
    Ê jatti ci piàciunu i pisci.
    Cats like fish.
    (literally, “Fish are pleasable to cats.”)
    E mû dumanni a mìa?
    You're asking that to me?
  2. indicates the place, used in some contexts, in others in is used; in, to
    Jemu â casa?
    Can we go home?
    (literally, “Can we go to the home?”)
    Cchiui staju a Palermu, a Ruma cci tornu dumani.
    I'm in Palermo now, I'll go back to Rome tomorrow.
  4. denotes the manner; with
    a pedi, a muzzu ― (please add an English translation of this usage example)
  5. denotes the direct object, but only if it's not preceded by articles
    Chiama a Paulu.
    Call Paolo.
    E nun ni vidisti cchiui a nuiautri?
    And you didn't see us?
    the "us" here is repeated twice for emphasis
    Ascutassi a mìa, signù!
    Listen to me, ma'am!
Usage notes
  • When followed by a word that begins with a vowel sound, the form ad (also rhotacized as ar) is used instead.
  • When followed by the definite article, a combines with the article to produce the following combined forms:
a + article Combined form
a + u ô
a + lu a lu
a + a â
a + la a la
a + i ê
a + li a li

Etymology 5

Verb

a

  1. Misspelling of àvi.

Silesian

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈa/
  • Rhymes: -a
  • Syllabification: a

Etymology 1

The Silesian orthography is based on the Latin alphabet. No earlier script is known. See the Silesian language article on Wikipedia for more, and a for development of the glyph itself.

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Silesian alphabet, written in the Latin script.

See also

Etymology 2

Inherited from Old Polish a.

Conjunction

a

  1. and (used to continue a previous statement or to add to it)
  2. and, but, whereas (used contrastively)
  3. and then (used to say an event will occur if some requirement is fulfilled)
  4. and (used for clairification)

Particle

a

  1. intensifies agreement

Etymology 3

Inherited from Old Polish a, from Proto-Slavic *a.

Interjection

a

  1. interjection that expresses various emotions; ah!

Further reading

  • a in dykcjonorz.eu
  • a in silling.org

Skolt Sami

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

See Translingual section.

Letter

a (upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Skolt Sami alphabet, written in the Latin script.
See also

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Russian а (a) 'but'.

Conjunction

a

  1. but
  2. how, what about

References

  1. ^ Juutinen, Markus. 2022. “Russian Loanwords in Skolt Saami”. Finnisch-Ugrische Forschungen 2022 (67):75–126. https://doi.org/10.33339/fuf.110737.

Further reading

  • Koponen, Eino, Ruppel, Klaas, Aapala, Kirsti, editors (2002–2008), Álgu database: Etymological database of the Saami languages‎, Helsinki: Research Institute for the Languages of Finland

Slovak

Etymology 1

From Latin a, form of A, from Etruscan 𐌀 (a), from Ancient Greek Α (A, “alpha”), from Phoenician 𐤀 (ʾ, “aleph”), from Egyptian 𓃾.

Letter

a (upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Slovak alphabet, written in the Latin script.
See also

Etymology 2

From Proto-Slavic *a (“and, but”).

Conjunction

a

  1. and
Derived terms

Further reading

  • “a”, in Slovníkový portál Jazykovedného ústavu Ľ. Štúra SAV [Dictionary portal of the Ľ. Štúr Institute of Linguistics, Slovak Academy of Science] (in Slovak), https://slovnik.juls.savba.sk, 2024

Slovene

Slovene Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia sl

Etymology 1

From Gaj's Latin alphabet a, from Czech alphabet a, modification of capital A, itself derived from the Etruscan letter 𐌀 (a), from the Ancient Greek letter Α (A, “alpha”), derived from the Phoenician letter 𐤀 (ʾ, “aleph”), from the Egyptian hieroglyph 𓃾.

Pronunciation

  • (phoneme, tonal variety): IPA(key): /áː/, /àː/, /ʌ́/, /a/, ,
  • (phoneme, non-tonal variety): IPA(key): /aː/, /a/
  • (letter name): IPA(key): /àː/, /áː/
  • Audio (letter name, non-tonal)(file)
  • Rhymes: -aː
  • Homophone: a

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Slovene alphabet, written in the Latin script.
  2. The first letter of the Slovene alphabet, written in the Latin script.
  3. The first letter of the Slovene alphabet, written in the Latin script.

Symbol

a

  1. (SNPT) Phonetic transcription of sound .

Noun

ā m inan

  1. The name of the Latin script letter A / a.
  2. The name of the phonemes /a, aː, ʌ/.
Inflection
  • Overall more common
 The diacritics used in this section of the entry are non-tonal. If you are a native tonal speaker, please help by adding the tonal marks.
Masculine inan., soft o-stem
nom. sing. ā
gen. sing. ā-ja
singular dual plural
nominative
(imenovȃlnik) 		ā ā-ja ā-ji
genitive
(rodȋlnik) 		ā-ja ā-jev ā-jev
dative
(dajȃlnik) 		ā-ju ā-jema ā-jem
accusative
(tožȋlnik) 		ā ā-ja ā-je
locative
(mẹ̑stnik) 		ā-ju ā-jih ā-jih
instrumental
(orọ̑dnik) 		ā-jem ā-jema ā-ji
  • More common when with a definite adjective
Masculine inan., no endings
nom. sing. ā
gen. sing. ā
singular dual plural
nominative ā ā ā
accusative ā ā ā
genitive ā ā ā
dative ā ā ā
locative ā ā ā
instrumental ā ā ā

Derived terms

Etymology 2

Attested since the 18th century. Probably of onomatopoeic origin. Compare Serbo-Croatian a, Russian а (a), Lithuanian õ, Latin ō and Ancient Greek ὦ (ô). These could all derive from Proto-Indo-European interjection *ō (“oh, ah”), but each form in individual languages could easily be an independent, expressive formation.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /àː/, /áː/, /á/
  • Audio (non-tonal, long)(file)
  • Audio (non-tonal, short)(file)

Interjection

a

  1. oh
  2. Used at the end of a sentence for confirmation, similarly to 'didn't I' in English.
    Tega nisi pričakoval, a? ― You did not expect this, did you?
Synonyms

Etymology 3

From Proto-Slavic *a, from Proto-Indo-European *ō̃t, which is ablative form of Proto-Indo-European *e- 'this'. Cognates with Serbo-Croatian a, Russian а (a) and Czech a.

Pronunciation

Conjunction

a

  1. but
    Synonyms: in, pa, toda, vendar

Particle

a

  1. contracted form of ali, particle used to form a yes- no question.
    Synonyms: kaj, ali

See also

Further reading

  • “a”, in Slovarji Inštituta za slovenski jezik Frana Ramovša ZRC SAZU, portal Fran

Slovincian

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈa/
  • Syllabification: a

Etymology 1

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *a (“and; but”).

Conjunction

a

  1. and
    Synonym: ë
  2. and, but, whereas
Derived terms
conjunctions

Etymology 2

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *a (“ah!”).

Interjection

a

  1. ah!
    Synonyms: ach, ach, o

References

Spanish

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Spanish alphabet, written in the Latin script.

Noun

a f (plural aes)

  1. Name of the letter A.
See also

Etymology 2

From Latin ad (“to”).

Alternative forms

  • (obsolete) á
  • (obsolete) à

Preposition

a

  1. to
    • 1605, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quijote de la Mancha1, Chapter I:
      Tenía en su casa una ama que pasaba de los cuarenta y una sobrina que no llegaba a los veinte, y un mozo de campo y plaza que así ensillaba el rocín como tomaba la podadera.
      He had in his house a housekeeper past forty, a niece under twenty, and a lad for the field and market-place, who used to saddle the hack as well as handle the billhook.
  2. by
  3. at
  4. Used before words referring to people, pets, or personified objects or places that function as direct objects: personal a.
    Lo busca a usted.
    He is looking for you.
Usage notes
  • Personal a is not translated into English.
Derived terms
See also

Sranan Tongo

Pronoun

a

  1. he, she, it
    • ca. 1765, Pieter van Dyk, Nieuwe en nooit bevoorens geziene Onderwyzinge in het Bastert, of Neeger Engels, zoo als het zelve in de Hollandsze Colonien gebruikt word [New and unprecedented instruction in Bastard or Negro English, as it is used in the Dutch colonies]‎, Frankfurt/Madrid: Iberoamericana, retrieved 20 March 2021:
      Odi mijn heer hoe fa joe tan gran tanki fo myn heer a komi ja fo loeke da pranasie wan trom.
      Good day, Sir, how are you? Many thanks to Sir, (that) he has come here to look at the plantation on this occasion.

Article

a (singular)

  1. the

Usage notes

Sranan Tongo makes no difference between singular and plural forms, except for pronouns and determiners and the definite article. Common nouns referring to a collection of similar items are usually treated as singular where in English they would be grammatically plural, and so are referred to with singular pronouns and determiners and the singular definite article.

Preposition

a

  1. at, to
    Synonym: na

Particle

a

  1. (copula) to be (used with a noun phrase as complement)
    Synonym: na

Usage notes

This particle is only used when the temporal aspect is unmarked, whether for timeless facts, or for statements where time is not considered relevant.

Sumerian

Romanization

a

  1. Romanization of 𒀀 (a)

Swahili

Particle

-a

  1. The genitive particle; adjectival particle; of
    kitabu cha mtoto ― child's book
    kiini cha yai ― egg yolk (literally, “center of egg”)
    • 18th century, Abdallah bin Ali bin Nasir, Al-Inkishafi‎, stanza 9:
      كِطَّمْسِكِزَ گَوُجُهَّالِ ، نُرُ نَمِيَاغَ اِتَظَلَالِ
      Kiṭamsi-kiza cha-ujuhali, nuru na-mianga itaẓalali
      Brightness and lights will overcome the shadow and darkness of ignorance

Usage notes

Inflection

Inflected forms of -a
Noun class singular plural
m-wa class(I/II) wa wa
m-mi class(III/IV) wa ya
ji-ma class(V/VI) la ya
ki-vi class(VII/VIII) cha vya
n class(IX/X) ya za
u class(XI) wa see n(X) or ma(VI) class
pa class(XVI) pa
ku class(XVII) kwa
mu class(XVIII) mwa

See also

Swedish

Preposition

a

  1. from (very formal, seldom used outside written formal texts.)

Usage notes

See also

Letter

a (name a, uppercase form A)

  1. The first letter of the Swedish alphabet, written in the Latin script.

See also

Interjection

a

  1. (Internet slang, text messaging) Pronunciation spelling of ja (“yes”).
    aa d ere
    yeah, it is

Usage notes

Often with multiple As. From an extended (and doubly emphasized – compare mhm) A being used as an agreeing or affirmative response in spoken Swedish.

Tagalog

Etymology 1

From Spanish a. Each pronunciation has a different source:

  • Filipino alphabet pronunciation is influenced by English a.
  • Abakada alphabet pronunciation is influenced by Baybayin character ᜀ (a).
  • Abecedario pronunciation is from Spanish a.

Pronunciation

  • (letter name, Filipino alphabet): IPA(key): /ˈʔej/,
  • (letter name, Abakada alphabet, Abecedario): IPA(key): /ˈʔa/,
  • (phoneme): IPA(key): /a/,
  • Rhymes: -ej, -a

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A, Baybayin spelling ᜁᜌ᜔)

  1. The first letter of the Tagalog alphabet (Filipino alphabet), called ey and written in the Latin script.

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A, Baybayin spelling ᜀ)

  1. The first letter of the Tagalog alphabet (Abakada alphabet), called a and written in the Latin script.
  2. (historical) The first letter of the Tagalog alphabet (Abecedario), called a and written in the Latin script.
See also

Noun

a (Baybayin spelling ᜀ)

  1. the name of the Latin-script letter A, in the Abakada alphabet.
    Synonym: (in the Filipino alphabet) ey
  2. (historical) the name of the Latin-script letter A, in the Abecedario.
    Synonym: (in the Filipino alphabet) ey
Related terms
See also

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈʔa/,
  • Rhymes: -a
  • Hyphenation: a

Interjection

a (Baybayin spelling ᜀ)

  1. ah: an exclamation of pity, admiration or surprise
    A! Kailan namatay ang iyong ina? ― Ah! When did your mother die?
  2. oh (expression of understanding or realization)
    Synonym: aw

Alternative forms

Etymology 3

Pronunciation

Interjection

â (Baybayin spelling ᜀ)

  1. (informal) ouch (expression of pain)
    Synonyms: aray, aw
Alternative forms

Etymology 4

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈʔa/,
  • Rhymes: -a
  • Hyphenation: a

Particle

a (Baybayin spelling ᜀ)

  1. Alternative form of ha (sentence-ending particle)
Alternative forms

Further reading

  • “a”, in Pambansang Diksiyonaryo | Diksiyonaryo.ph, Manila, 2018

Tarantino

Preposition

a

  1. in
  2. at
  3. to

Tày

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

Particle

a (呵)

  1. alright?; okay?; will you?
    Chin a. ― Let's eat.
    Mừa a. ― Let's go home.
  2. already
    Chư̱ a. ― Oh right.
Derived terms

Etymology 2

From Proto-Tai *ʔaːᴬ (“father's younger sister”). Cognate with Lao ອາ (ʼā), Thai อา (aa).

Noun

a (妸)

  1. paternal aunt
    me̱ a ― (please add an English translation of this usage example)
  2. younger sister
    a noọng ― (please add an English translation of this usage example)
Derived terms

References

  • Hoàng Văn Ma, Lục Văn Pảo, Hoàng Chí (2006) Từ điển Tày-Nùng-Việt [Tay-Nung-Vietnamese dictionary] (in Vietnamese), Hanoi: Nhà xuất bản Từ điển Bách khoa Hà Nội
  • Lương Bèn (2011) Từ điển Tày-Việt [Tay-Vietnamese dictionary]‎ (in Vietnamese), Thái Nguyên: Nhà Xuất bản Đại học Thái Nguyên
  • Lục Văn Pảo, Hoàng Tuấn Nam (2003) Hoàng Triều Ân, editor, Từ điển chữ Nôm Tày [A Dictionary of (chữ) Nôm Tày]‎ (in Vietnamese), Hanoi: Nhà xuất bản Khoa học Xã hội

Tok Pisin

Etymology

Imitative or onomatopoeia.

Interjection

a

  1. eh?
    • 1989, Buk Baibel long Tok Pisin, Port Moresby: Bible Society of Papua New Guinea, Jenesis 3:1:
      God, Bikpela i bin wokim olgeta animal, tasol i no gat wanpela bilong ol inap winim snek long tok gris. Na snek i askim meri olsem, “Ating God i tambuim yutupela long kaikai pikinini bilong olgeta diwai bilong gaden, a?”
      →New International Version translation

Tokelauan

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

From Proto-Polynesian *a. Cognates include Maori a and Tuvaluan a.

Article

a

  1. a personal article, used after the prepositions i and ki and before personal names or names of months
Derived terms
See also
Tokelauan articles
Impersonal
singular plural
Definite te nā
Indefinite he ni
Personal
Nominal Pronominal
Simple ia
After i/ki a a te
After mai ia te

Etymology 2

From Proto-Polynesian *qa. Cognates include Hawaiian a and Samoan a.

Preposition

a

  1. marks alienable possession; of
See also

References

  • R. Simona, editor (1986), Tokelau Dictionary‎, Auckland: Office of Tokelau Affairs, page 1

Tooro

Pronunciation

Particle

-a

  1. The genitive particle; adjectival particle; of

Declension

Inflected forms of -a
Noun class indefinite definite
singular plural singular plural
1/2 wa ba owa aba
3/4 gwa ya ogwa eya
5/6 lya ga erya aga
7/8 kya bya ekya ebya
9/10 ya za eya eza
11/10 rwa orwa
12/14 ka bwa aka obwa
13 twa otwa
14/6 bwa ga obwa aga
15/6 kwa okwa
16 ha aha
18 mwa omwa

References

  • Kaji, Shigeki (2007) A Rutooro Vocabulary‎, Tokyo: Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa (ILCAA), →ISBN, page 415

Turkish

Pronunciation

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Turkish alphabet, written in the Latin script.

See also

Noun

a

  1. The name of the Latin script letter A/a.

See also

Turkmen

Pronunciation

  • (phoneme) IPA(key): /a/, /aː/

Letter

a (upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Turkmen alphabet, written in the Latin script.

See also

Tyap

Pronunciation

  • (phoneme) IPA(key): /a/, /aː/

Letter

a (upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Tyap alphabet, written in the Latin script.

Interjection

a

  1. ah (expression of surprise, question)
  2. eh (expression of reluctance)

Pronoun

a

  1. you (2nd person subject singular personal pronoun)

Pronoun

a̱

  1. he/she (3rd person singular personal pronoun)

Pronunciation

Pronoun

á̱

  1. they (indefinite) (3rd person plural personal pronoun)

Pronunciation

See also


Upper Sorbian

Conjunction

a

  1. and
  2. the (establishing a parallel between two comparatives)
    starši a mudriši ― the older, the smarter
    dlěje a hórje ― the longer, the worse

Further reading

  • “a” in Soblex

Vietnamese

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

Borrowed from French a.

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the Vietnamese alphabet, written in the Latin script.

Noun

a

  1. The name of the Latin-script letter A.

See also

Etymology 2

Noun

(classifier cái) a • (阿)

  1. a cutting tool consisting of two blades inserted into a long handle to cut grass or to harvest rice
    Synonyms: trang, gạc
    rèn một lưỡi a bằng ba lưỡi hái
    (please add an English translation of this usage example)

Etymology 3

Verb

a

  1. to rush or charge forward at
    Synonyms: trang, gạc
    a vào giật cho bằng được
    (please add an English translation of this usage example)

Etymology 4

Pronoun

a

  1. (slang, Internet, text messaging) Abbreviation of anh.

Etymology 5

Particle

a

  1. (rare) Used to indicate a question that is asked out of perplexity or sarcasm.
    Bây giờ mới đi a?
    You've only been going just now?
    Thật thế a?
    Really?

Etymology 6

Interjection

a

  1. An expression of happiness, surprise or of a sudden remembrance of something.
    A mẹ đã về!
    Oh, my mom came home!
    A, mình nhớ ra rồi!
    Oh, I remember!

Votic

Pronunciation

  • (Luutsa, Liivtšülä) IPA(key): /ˈɑ/,
  • Rhymes: -ɑ
  • Hyphenation: a

Etymology 1

Letter

a

  1. The first letter of the Votic alphabet, written in the Latin script.

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Russian а (a).

Conjunction

a

  1. but (Following a negative clause or sentence) On the contrary, but rather
  2. However, although, nevertheless, on the other hand

Etymology 3

Natural. Compare Russian а (a).

Interjection

a

  1. ah!, oh!
  2. oops!
  3. ouch!

See also

References

  • Hallap, V., Adler, E., Grünberg, S., Leppik, M. (2012) Vadja keele sõnaraamat [A dictionary of the Votic language], 2nd edition, Tallinn

Walloon

Etymology

From Latin ad.

Pronunciation

Preposition

a

  1. at

Welsh

Etymology 1

Alternative forms

  • (with grave accent to indicate otherwise unpredictable short vowel) à
  • (with acute accent to indicate unusually stressed short vowel) á
  • (with circumflex to indicate otherwise unpredictable or unusually stressed long vowel) â
  • (with diaeresis to indicate disyllabicity) ä

Pronunciation

Letter

a (lower case, upper case A)

  1. The first letter of the The time allocated for running scripts has expired. alphabet, called The time allocated for running scripts has expired. and written in the Latin script. It is followed by The time allocated for running scripts has expired..
Mutation
  • a cannot be mutated but, being a vowel, does take The time allocated for running scripts has expired., for example with the word The time allocated for running scripts has expired.:

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Derived terms
  • Digraph sequences: The time allocated for running scripts has expired., The time allocated for running scripts has expired., The time allocated for running scripts has expired., The time allocated for running scripts has expired., The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
See also

Noun

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. The name of the Latin-script letter ].The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
Mutation

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Verb

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. The time allocated for running scripts has expired. The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
Synonyms
  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired. The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Etymology 3

From The time allocated for running scripts has expired., from The time allocated for running scripts has expired., from The time allocated for running scripts has expired. (compare The time allocated for running scripts has expired. and The time allocated for running scripts has expired.).

Pronunciation

  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Conjunction

The time allocated for running scripts has expired. The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. and
Synonyms
  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired. The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Etymology 4

Pronunciation

  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Pronoun

The time allocated for running scripts has expired. The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. The time allocated for running scripts has expired. that, which, who (used in 'direct' relative clauses, i.e. where the pronoun refers to the subject or the direct object of an inflected verb (as opposed to a periphrastic construction with bod, to be)).
    The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
Usage notes
  1. a is not used with the third person singular present of the verb bod, where the relative verb form sydd is used instead
    The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
    The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
    not *Y dyn a yw'n ifanc
  2. a is not used in indirect relative clauses, where the pronoun is part of a genitive or periphrastic construction. Instead the second relative pronoun y is used
    The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
    The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
    not *Y dyn a oedd ei chwaer yma

West Makian

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Verb

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. The time allocated for running scripts has expired. to be cooked
  2. The time allocated for running scripts has expired. to be done, finished
Conjugation
Conjugation of a (stative verb)
singular plural
inclusive exclusive
1st person The time allocated for running scripts has expired. The time allocated for running scripts has expired. The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
2nd person The time allocated for running scripts has expired. The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
3rd person inanimate The time allocated for running scripts has expired. The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
animate The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
imperative —, The time allocated for running scripts has expired. —, The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Verb

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. The time allocated for running scripts has expired. The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
Usage notes

The verb a ("to eat") takes the same verbal prefixes that directional verbs do.

Conjugation
Conjugation of a (directional verb)
singular plural
inclusive exclusive
1st person The time allocated for running scripts has expired. The time allocated for running scripts has expired. The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
2nd person The time allocated for running scripts has expired. The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
3rd person inanimate The time allocated for running scripts has expired. The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
animate
imperative The time allocated for running scripts has expired., The time allocated for running scripts has expired. The time allocated for running scripts has expired., The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

References

  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Yola

Etymology 1

The time allocated for running scripts has expired. From The time allocated for running scripts has expired., from The time allocated for running scripts has expired..

Alternative forms

  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired., The time allocated for running scripts has expired., The time allocated for running scripts has expired., The time allocated for running scripts has expired., The time allocated for running scripts has expired., The time allocated for running scripts has expired., The time allocated for running scripts has expired., The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Pronunciation

  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Article

The time allocated for running scripts has expired. The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. the, in later times the.
    • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
    • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Etymology 2

From The time allocated for running scripts has expired., The time allocated for running scripts has expired., from The time allocated for running scripts has expired..

Alternative forms

  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Pronunciation

  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Article

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. one
    • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Etymology 3

Unstressed form of The time allocated for running scripts has expired..

Pronunciation

  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Preposition

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. on
    • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
    • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Etymology 4

Pronoun

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
    • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Etymology 5

Preposition

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
    • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

References

Yoruba

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.: The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.: The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Letter

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. The The time allocated for running scripts has expired. letter of the The time allocated for running scripts has expired. alphabet, called The time allocated for running scripts has expired. and written in the Latin script.

Noun

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. The name of the Latin-script letter ].The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

See also

  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired. The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Etymology 2

Likely a The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Pronunciation

  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Pronoun

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. we (The time allocated for running scripts has expired.)
    The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
    The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
Usage notes

Similar to other shortened subject pronouns, its usage is restricted and can only be found directly before a verb or pre-verbal marker. It cannot be used with particles/discourse markers such as The time allocated for running scripts has expired. or conjunctions such as The time allocated for running scripts has expired., The time allocated for running scripts has expired., and The time allocated for running scripts has expired.. In those cases, The time allocated for running scripts has expired. must be used instead.

Etymology 3

Pronunciation

  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.: The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.: The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Pronoun

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. him, her, it (The time allocated for running scripts has expired.)
    The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
    The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Pronoun

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. him, her, it (The time allocated for running scripts has expired.)
    The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
    The time allocated for running scripts has expired.
    The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

See also

See Template:yo-personal pronouns.

Yucatec Maya

Pronoun

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. you (The time allocated for running scripts has expired.)

Zazaki

Letter

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. The The time allocated for running scripts has expired. letter of the The time allocated for running scripts has expired. alphabet, written in the Latin script.

See also

Pronoun

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. she

Zhuang

Pronunciation

  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired. The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Etymology 1

Compare The time allocated for running scripts has expired..

Noun

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. crow
Synonyms
  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Etymology 2

Noun

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. The time allocated for running scripts has expired. mother

Etymology 3

Particle

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Zou

Pronunciation

  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Noun

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. hen

References

  • The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

Zulu

Letter

The time allocated for running scripts has expired.

  1. The The time allocated for running scripts has expired. letter of the The time allocated for running scripts has expired. alphabet, written in the Latin script.

See also

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia