Category:Hebrew feminine nouns with plurals ending in ־ים

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For the vast majority of Hebrew nouns, the indefinite and definite plurals end in ־ים (-ím) if the noun is masculine, and in ־וֹת (-ót) if the noun is feminine. This category contains a group of exceptions to that rule: feminine nouns with indefinite and definite plurals ending in ־ים (-ím).

One common factor in this group of exceptions is that they are attested since Ancient Hebrew; none have arisen in any attested phase of the language. Aside from that, it is difficult to make any generalizations; almost anything that may be said of some of them, may not be said of others. For example:

  • Although they all have indefinite and definite plurals with the usually-masculine ending ־ים (-ím), their plural construct forms do not all match: some end with the usually-masculine ending ־י־ (-éi-), some with the usually-feminine ending ־וֹת־ (-ót-). In some cases, both of these are attested.
  • Some are also attested as masculine (i.e., with masculine agreement); some are not.
  • Some also have attested plurals with the ordinary feminine ending ־וֹת (-ót); some do not.
  • Some have singular forms with the typically-feminine ending ־ה, ־ת־ (-á, -át-); some do not.