:github_url: https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_uhg/src/branch/master/content/number_dual.rst

.. _number_dual:

Number Dual
===========

Summary
-------

The dual ending ־ַיִם usually refers to two of an item.

Article
-------

:ref:`Nouns<noun>` change their form is according to their number, either :ref:`singular<number_singular>`,
dual, or :ref:`plural<number_plural>`. The dual ending does not only mean "two" but usually refers to a pair of something,
such as עֵינַ֥יִם (two eyes) or אָזְנַ֣יִם (two ears).  However, sometimes the dual ending is used for a singular noun, such as 
the noun פַּנַיִם which takes a dual ending but is translated into English as the singular noun "face".

.. note:: Dual nouns always take :ref:`adjectives<adjective>` with a :ref:`plural<number_plural>` ending, not a dual ending.

Form
----

Both :ref:`masculine<gender_masculine>` and :ref:`feminine<gender_feminine>` terms take the same ending,
־ַיִם (pathah-yod-hireq-final mem).

.. csv-table:: Dual Paradigm

  Word,Hebrew,Transliteration,Gloss
  Masculine dual absolute,אָזְנַיִם,'aznayim,(both) ears
  Masculine dual contruct,אָזְנֵי,'azney,(both) ears of
  Female dual absolute,יָדַיִם,yadayim,(both) hands
  Feminine dual construct,יְדֵי,yede,(both) hands of

Example
-------

.. csv-table:: Example: DEU 29:4 (DEU 29:3 in Hebrew)

  "וְלֹֽא־נָתַן֩ יְהוָ֨ה לָכֶ֥ם לֵב֙ לָדַ֔עַת **וְעֵינַ֥יִם** לִרְא֖וֹת
     **וְאָזְנַ֣יִם** לִשְׁמֹ֑עַ"
  "welo-nathan yehwah lakhem lev lada'ath **we'enayim** lir'oth
     **we'oznayim** lishmoa'"
  "And-not\_has-given Yahweh to-them heart to-know **and-eyes** to-see
     **and-ears** to hear."
  "Yahweh has not given you a heart to know, **eyes** to see **or ears**
     to hear."