ARTICLE = Atikulu
Atikulu anee sukubio kee wirari ekwen abibi ma:
a = gboru an = gboru the = be [or] me [ or] ma some = kalai or j'apu
In the Kalabari language, the article "the" exists in several forms depending if the noun that follows is singular or plural; masculine or feminine.
NB: In the Kalabari language, "the" comes after the noun as opposed to coming before it in the English language.
Examples: Give me a bag = Gboru akpa ke I p'ri
Give him an orange = Gboru eleinda ke O p'ri
Give her some salt = Fun kalai ke A p'ri
Some of them have come = In' abe j'apu bote
the + ( singular masculine) = be
e.g Tell the man to come = Duko Owibo be p'ri O bo
the + ( plural masculine) = ma
e.g The men are here = Owiapu ma In bote
The Kings are leaving = Amadapu ma In soari
the + ( singular / plural feminine) = ma
e.g The girl is beautiful = Erebo tubo ma Ar' ibim
The girls are sleeping = Eremina awome ma In monoari
the + ( singular inanimate ) = me
e.g Lift up the chair = Ingada me saki
Break the egg = Anyi me ba
the + ( plural inanimate) = ma
Please arrange the chairs = Sisi ( Omini) ingada ma de
Go and wash the spoons = Mu ingaji ma sikiri
The + names of persons
Unlike in the English language, " the " can be used with the names of persons in the Kalabari language. e.g Boma has returned = Boma ma A pikimabote.
The + possessive nouns
Here "the" can be expressed or omitted.
e.g The grace of God = Tamuno ( be ) diki bujiri