Dative Singular

---

Introduction

The dative singular marker is /ι regardless of gender or declension. -α/ and -ο/ lengthen when /ι is added.

---

Intermediate

In the first declension, the -α/ of the base (or stem) lengthens to η when /ι is added:

     κεφαλά/ι > κεφαλῇ

In Attic, after ε, ι, and ρ the lengthened α stays α :

     χώρα/ι > χώρᾳ

---

In the second declension, the -ο/ of the base (or stem) also lengthens to ω when /ι is added:

     ἄνθρωπο/ι > ἀνθρώπῳ

---

In the third declension, no change occurs if /ι meets another vowel. In Ionic, the two vowels are separate syllables, but in Attic they form a diphthong:

     ὄρεσ/ι > ὄρεϊ (Ionic) or ὄρει (Attic)

     βασιλέϝ/ι > βασιλέι (Ionic) or βασιλεῖ (Attic)

Remember that ϝ and σ drop when intervocalic.

---

Vocabulary for this lesson (click here for the full lexicon)

---

Related

Dative plural