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The suffix /-(ı)n/ (/-ın/ after consonants, /-n/ after vowels) must always be used:

a) When the direct object is a specific noun, i.e. a noun with a definite suffix (/-u~-w/ or /-wa~-(y)itu/); e.g. /məSıhafu/ 'the book', /məSıhafun kıfətu/ open the book'.

b) When it is modified by a suffix pronoun, e.g. /məSıhafoccaccıhu/ 'your books', /məSıhafoccaccıhun kıfətu/ 'open your books'.

c) When it is modified by a demonstrative pronoun, e.g. /yıhın Kal yıdgəmut/ 'repeat this word'.

d) When it is a proper name, an independent pronoun, a name of a country, or objects assumed to be commonly known, such as station, ministry etc. e.g. /giyon hotelın yasayyuñ/ 'show me the Gion Hotel', /kəbbədən yawKallu/ 'they know Kebbede,' /ırsıwon awKalləhu/ 'I know you', /babur Tabiyun yasayyuñ/ 'show me the railroad station'.
When the direct object of the verb has a modifier, it is the modifier that usually takes the /-(ı)n/ suffix and not the noun it modifies, as in /yıhın Kal yıdgəmut/ 'repeat this word', /tınnıšun məSıhaf kıfətu/ 'open the small book'.
The suffix /-(ı)n/ is not affixed to the indefinite, non-specific direct object (Group 2 above).

Note 4.6 Prepositions.

Amharic prepositions are usually inseparable from the word they precede. These 'prefix prepositions' lose their vowel when prefixed to words beginning with a vowel in accordance with the patterns listed in Note 3.3.

If, however, the prepositions are said as separate words the vowel is not lost, e.g.

/bamarıñña/ or /bə amarıñña/ 'in Amharic'.

Note 4.6.1 Preposition /b(ə)-/ 'to, by, in, at, on' and /bəst(ə)-/ 'to', 'in the direction of'.

bətaksi məhəd yıcılallu.	You can go by taxi.
yıh nəgər bamarıñña mín yıbbalal.	How do you say this in Amharic?
yamerikan embassi bəstəKəññıwó nəw.	The American Embassy is on your right.

The prefix preposition /b(ə)-/ (/bə-/ before consonants, /b-/ before vowels) is used in equivalents to English prepositions 'to, by, in, at, on' and the prefix /bəst(ə)-/ (/bestə-/ before consonants and /bəst-/ before vowels) in equivalent to English 'to' with reference to specific directions, such as 'to the right', 'to the left', 'to the north', 'to the south', etc.

Other usages of the prefix /b(ə-)/ will be taken up in later units.

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