Sami Dual Pronouns Explained: How To Say 'We Two' vs 'We All'
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One of the most unique and beautiful features of the Sami language is something that we don’t really have in English.
In English, you’re either talking about one person (singular) or a group of people (plural).
But in Sami, we have a “secret” middle category.
It’s called the Dual.
This is a specific set of pronouns used only when you’re talking about exactly two people.
English speakers often forget to use these words because they aren’t used to counting people so precisely.
But once you learn them, you’ll realize how useful they are.
They create a sense of intimacy and precision. When you say “we” in Sami, you’re instantly clarifying if it’s just “you and me” (we two) or a whole group of us (we all).
Here’s a simple guide to understanding and using Sami dual pronouns.
Table of Contents:
What is the dual number?
In English, if I’m with my friend, I say “we’re going.”
If I’m with ten friends, I also say “we’re going.”
In North Sami (and other Sami languages), this changes.
- Singular: 1 person (I, you, he/she)
- Dual: 2 people (We two, you two, they two)
- Plural: 3 or more people (We all, you all, they all)
This is part of what makes Sami languages so descriptive. It helps avoid confusion. If I say “we two” (moai), you know immediately that no one else is involved.
The 3 sets of personal pronouns
To master this, you need to memorize the specific words for the dual forms.
Below is a table for North Sami, which is the most widely spoken variety. While South Sami and Lule Sami also have dual forms, the words will look slightly different, but the logic is exactly the same.
| English Meaning | Singular (1) | Dual (2) | Plural (3+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Person (Me/Us) | Mun (I) | Moai (We two) | Mii (We all) |
| 2nd Person (You) | Don (You) | Doai (You two) | Dii (You all) |
| 3rd Person (Him/Her/Them) | Son (He/She) | Soai (They two) | Sii (They all) |
A quick tip to remember them:
Note that the Dual pronouns all end in -ai (Moai, Doai, Soai). This rhyming pattern makes them much easier to memorize!
How verbs change with dual pronouns
This is where it gets a little bit tricky for beginners, but don’t worry.
In Sami, the verb changes (conjugates) depending on who is doing the action. Since we have special pronouns for “two people,” we also have special verb endings for “two people.”
If you use the pronoun Moai (we two), you cannot use the same verb ending as Mii (we all).
Let’s look at the most common verb: leat (to be).
| Pronoun | Verb (Leat) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Moai | letne | We two are |
| Doai | leahppi | You two are |
| Soai | leaba | They two are |
If you compare this to the singular Mun lean (I am) or the plural Mii leat (We are), you can see the endings are quite distinct.
Examples of dual pronouns in conversation
The best way to learn these is to see them in context.
Imagine you are asking a couple (two people) where they are going. You wouldn’t use dii (plural you), you must use doai (dual you).
Gosa doai mannebeahppi?
Moai manne min ruoktot.
Here is another example. Perhaps you are talking about your parents (two people) or two friends.
Leaba go soai oahpaheaddjit?
Juo, soai leaba oahpaheaddjit.
Using these correctly shows respect for the language and helps you sound much more like a native speaker. It acknowledges exactly who is in the room.
Summary
The dual number might feel like extra math in your head at first.
When you see a group of people, you have to quickly count: “One… two… okay, there are two people, so I must use Doai!”
However, it quickly becomes natural.
Here’s your checklist for practicing:
- Remember the “Rhyme of -ai”: Moai (we 2), Doai (you 2), Soai (they 2).
- Use Dual when there are exactly two people (couples, two siblings, you and a friend).
- Use Plural only when there are three or more.
If you’re looking for more resources, check out our guide on common Sami phrases to see more examples of these pronouns in action.
Do you have questions about North Sami grammar?
