-များ

Burmese

Etymology

From များ (mya:, “many”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mjá/
• Romanization: MLCTS: mya: • ALA-LC: myāʺ • BGN/PCGN: mya: • Okell: myà

Suffix

-များ • (-mya:)

1. (literary) noun plural marker

Usage notes

Burmese is a diglossic language. This construct is used exclusively in the formal, literary (written) register. See synonyms for the informal, colloquial (spoken) equivalent form(s).

Synonyms

• -တို့ (-tui.) (formal, literary)
• -တွေ (-twe) (informal, colloquial)

Further reading

• “-များ” in Myanmar–English Dictionary (Myanmar Language Commission 1993). Searchable online at SEAlang.net.
• Okell, John (1969) A Reference Grammar of Colloquial Burmese, London: Oxford University Press, page 360