Reconstruction:Proto-Bantu/-tátʊ̀

This Proto-Bantu entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Bantu

Alternative forms

• *-cátʊ̀
• *-cácʊ̀

Etymology

cognates outside Bantu are Proto-Grassfields *tád, Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ̀-ta

Reconstruction

The palatalized forms *-cátʊ̀ and *-cácʊ̀ derive from the leveling of a morphological alternation in which the first consonant was palatalized in class 10.

Adjective

cardinal number

3	Previous:	*-bàdɪ́
	Next:	*-nàì

*-tátʊ̀

1. three

Descendants

From *-tátʊ̀:

• Proto-Jarawan: *tatu
• Duala (A24): -lálo
• Thagiicu:
  • Kikuyu (E51): -thatu
  • Kamba (E55): -datu
• Mbunda (K15): -tatu
• Northeast Coast Bantu:
  • Swahili (G42): -tatu
• Nyasa:
  • Chichewa (N31): -tatu
• Rwanda-Rundi (J61/62): -tatu
• Shona (S10): -tatu
• Kimbundu (H21): -tatu
• Kongo (H16): -tatu
• Southern Bantu:
  • Nguni:
    • Phuthi (S404): -tshatfu
    • Swazi (S43): -tsatfu
    • Xhosa (S41): -thathu
    • Zulu (S42): -thathu
  • Sotho-Tswana:
    • Northern Sotho (S32): -tharo
    • Sotho (S33): -tharo
    • Tswana (S31): -raro
  • Tsonga (S53): -nharhu
  • Venda (S20): -raru

From *-cátʊ̀:

• Lingala (C30B): -sató
• Luba-Kasai (L31): -satu
• Luganda (J15): -satu
• Tooro (J12): -satu
• Gusii (J42): isato