Dual Number

Exactly two

The dual number refers to exactly two people or things. It's relatively rare, surviving mainly in Classical Attic and earlier Greek.

Common dual uses: • Pairs of body parts: τὼ χεῖρε (the two hands), τὼ ὀφθαλμώ (the two eyes) • Two people acting together: τὼ ἄνδρε (the two men) • Natural pairs: the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux)

Dual forms: • Nominative/Accusative: -α (1st decl), -ω (2nd decl), -ε (3rd decl) • Genitive/Dative: -αιν (1st decl), -οιν (2nd and 3rd decl)

Dual verb endings: -τον (2nd person; 3rd person in primary tenses), -την (3rd person in secondary tenses)

The dual became obsolete in Koine Greek.

Recognition Tips

  • Dual is rare - most pairs just use plural
  • Common in Homer for pairs of heroes
  • If you see -τον verb ending, think dual

Examples from Texts

Here are some words showing the dual number in actual Greek texts:

ἰχῶρ' ἰχώρ ichor, the juice
noun nominative masculine dual
νεωτέρα νέος young, youthful
noun nominative feminine dual
ὀψοφάγω ὀψοφάγος one who eats delicacies
noun nominative masculine dual
ἡμιβρεχῆ ἡμιβρεχής half-watered
noun nominative masculine dual
νηίω νήιος of
noun nominative masculine dual
ποτ' ποτή flight
noun nominative feminine dual
εὐπειθῆ εὐπειθής ready to obey, obedient
noun nominative masculine dual
δυστυχίαιν δυστυχία ill luck, ill fortune
noun genitive feminine dual

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