infinitive
The infinitive is a simple word made out of the verb root. It corresponds well with the English infinitive in translations, which is the word "to" followed by the verb. (Ex: "to fall", "to wash"). It is used very often to help form other expressions and verb forms.
- infinitive
- The infinitive is formed by
- adding -m to verbs in Classes 1-4
(2-syllable short-vowel words ending in an -c sound drop the final -c before adding -m)
- adding -f;f to verbs in Classes 6-7
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Ex:
- fOt = "to wash"
- tpo = "to fall"
- nrhy;y = "to say"
- gz;z = "to do"
- Cw;w = "to pour"
irregulars
| verb |
infinitive |
| tpy;5 |
tpw;f |
| Nfs;5 |
Nfl;f |
| th2 |
tu |
| jh2 |
ju |
| Ngh3 |
Nghf |
"Going to ...", etc.
In English, we sometimes say "They are going to buy things" or "We went to play". To say "going to", follow the infintive with Ngh3. In addition to Ngh3, this also applies to any other verbs that make sense in its place, such as tpL4, Kaw;rp nra;1a, tpUk;G3, and ghu;6.
Although ghu;6 means "see", when it is used here, it means "try". Kaw;rp nra;1a means "try" as it is, so both verbs mean the same thing here.
Ex:
- mtu;fs; nghUs;fis thq;f Nghfpwhufs; = "They are going to buy things"
- ehq;fs; tpisahl NghNdhk; = "We went to play"
- mtd; NgUe;jpy; Vw Kaw;rp nra;jhd;> Mdhy; mtdhy; Vw Kbatpy;iy = "He tried to get on the bus, but he was not able to get on."
should / should not
- should / should not
-
- To indicate "should", use infinitive + Ntz;Lk;
- To indicate "shouldn't", use infinitive + $lhJ
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Ex:
- ehd; Gwg;gl Ntz;Lk; = "I should depart"
- eP ghypy; jz;zPiu fyf;f $lhJ = "You shouldn't mix water in the milk"
prior uses of the infinitive
The infinitive has been the basis for some of the rules about negative commands and verbs with mJ and mit. Using the infinitive, the previous rules become:
- negative commands
- Commands without respect are formed by replacing the final -m of the infinitive with -MNj. Commands with respect are formed by replacing the final -m of the infinitive with -MjPu;fs;.
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- future tense of mJ, mit
- The future tense of mJ and mit is formed by replacing the final -m of the infinitive with -ck;
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