1. Gender.

A. Nouns denoting inanimate objects have no formal distinction of gender as , a bamboo, mai rice (paddy).

B. In the case of animate objects, the gender of the noun is indicated by a separate qualifying word, placed usually after the noun, e.g.

(a) Hóa, man (male); Hingzhau, woman (female) used only of human beings.

(b) “Zălá,” zŏ’ used of birds, e.g. Dau zalá, a cock; dau zŏ, a hen.

2. Number.

Plurality (there is no dual) is indicated by adding fŭr, frá, or far, to the singular as

masá, a tiger.
masá-fŭr (-frá or -far), tigers.

3. Case.

The case endings, which hold good of nouns, pronouns, and adjective are given below:—