Prenoun

Prenoun is the term for adjective-like prefixes that attach to nouns in Algonquian languages and the Korean language.

Algonquian languages

For example, in Nêhiyawêwin (Plains Cree), the term for "cat" is minôs, with the addition of the prenoun wâpiski- ("white"), the term wâpiski-minôs means white-cat , and with the prenoun misi- ("big"), it becomes misi-minôs with the meaning "big cat".

Prenouns can also be attached to verbs, in which case they are referred to by the term "preverb" ; misi-mîcsow, "s/he eats a lot"

Korean language

In the Korean language, prenouns are used to modify pronouns, numerals, and nouns. They are different from adjectives in Korean. While adjectives may be conjugated in Korean, prenouns cannot. As well prenouns modify whereas adjectives simply indicate the state of an object.

An example of prenoun usage is in this sentence:

In this sentence the word "delicious" is a prenoun. It is not conjugated and modifies the object of the sentence. Compared with the following sentence:

"Delicious" is conjugated and becomes an adjective. This is used to indicate the current state of the object.^[1]

References

• Mühlbauer, Jeff, Affix Reduplication in Nêhiyawêwin (Plains Cree)