Fast Nepali—Language Use and Structure

Teaching Truth in Nepali
through English

Teaching Truth in Nepali

Fast Nepali

—Nepali Language Use and Structure

Download printable version—
fast_nepali_language01.pdf.

Updated 26 May, 2019

INTRODUCTION

We can build up the structure of a sentence and apply the main features of Nepali language. We aim to achieve quickly a simplified but fluent and effective system of communication. (Hebrews 5:14) This will form a robust framework on which to culture finer details later.

You may wish to learn one past, one present, and one future tense to begin with. Nepali may have more grammatical rules than some neighbouring languages, but its rules follow consistent patterns. This makes it possible to convey thoughts precisely and clearly. So, it will be well worth your effort to learn these rules from the beginning.

This introduction to Nepali is based on “Main Features of Sentence Structure and a Quick Overview of Your Foreign Language” available at www.jaspell.uk/fastanylanguage01.pdf.

LIST OF CONTENTS

1–Pronunciation and Romanized Script

2–Alphabet

3–Words and phrases to be covered

–and First Conversations

4–Doers (Nouns and Pronouns)

5–Action—process done (Verbs)

6–Describing doers and objects (Adjectives)

7–Qualifying actions or adjectives (Adverbs)

8–Comparatives and Superlatives

9–Adjustment of ‘objects’ by their ‘case’

10–Connectives

11–Conditional sentences (If X, then Y)

12–Interrogatives, relatives & correlatives

13–Expressions without equivalent

14–Additional features

15–Message from the Author

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1 – PRONUNCIATION AND ROMANIZED SCRIPT

Before you decide to learn the Devanagari script in which Nepali is written, you can use a Romanized form of writing. The letters and their pronunciation are shown below, as extracted from:-

www.jaspell.uk/sounds_dev_unicode.htm and www.jaspell.uk/devanagari/pron.pdf.

Click on a character in the following chart to hear its sound.

CLASSIFICATION OF DEVANAGARI SOUNDS

C O N S O N A N T S						V O W E L S
Family	Hard	Soft	Soft	Soft	Hard
	Held Huffed	Held Huffed	Nasals	Semi- vowels	Spirants	Short	Long	Diphthongs
Guttural	ka kḫa	ga gḫa	ṅa	ha	ḥ	a	ā	e ê (ai/ei)
	क ख	ग घ	ङ	ह	:	अ	आ	ए ऐ
					kaḥ	ka	kā	ke kê (kai/kei)
					कः	क	का	के कै
Palatal	ca cḫa	ja jḫa	ña	ya	śa	i	ī
	च छ	ज झ	ञ	य	श	इ	ई
						ki	kī
						कि	की
Cerebral	ṭa ṭḫa	ḍa ḍḫa	ṇa	ra	ṣa	ŗ (rri)	[rrii]
	ट ठ	ड ढ	ण	र	ष	ऋ
		ṛa ṛḫa		-		kŗ (krri)
		ड़ ढ़		ळ		कृ
Dental	ta tḫa	da dḫa	na	la	sa
	त थ	द ध	न	ल	स
Labial	pa pḫa	ba bḫa	ma	va, wa	(ka+)ḥ	u	ū	o ô (ow/au)
	प फ	ब भ	म	व	कः	उ	ऊ	ओ औ
Others			-	͂	kā͂=kā+ ͂	ku	kū	ko kô (kau)
			-		काँ	कु	कू	को कौ
				͂	kĩ=ki+ ͂			k` (=k + no vowel)
					किं			क्

Vowels are nasalized with a moon-dot (chandrabindu) or, if part of the vowel is above the bar, only a dot (bindu). For example, kā͂ काँ and kĩ किं. The nasal mark is Romanized as ‘ ͂ ’.

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2 – ALPHABET

Vowels and then consonants are in their order of sound classification.

Vowels in Devanagari Alphabetical Order (independent and trailing)

a अ ka क, ā आ kā का, i इ ki कि, ī ई kī की, u उ ku कु, ū ऊ kū कू, ŗ ऋ kŗ कृ, e ए ke के, ê ऐ kē कै, o ओ ko को, ô औ kô कौ, ḥ ः kḥ कः, ͂ ঁ kã कँ

a sounds mostly like ‘a’ in along, but like ‘o’ in pot in pa, pḫa, ba, bḫa, ma. (Contrast ‘a’ in calculate with ‘a’ in mangetout or wander.)

ā sounds long like ‘a’ in past, father or palm.

The English sound of ‘a’ in apple is written as a long ā with a chandra moon ऑ. We will use ӑ, but yā’ may be used instead, as in tyāksī (taxi).

A similar sound is written as e with a chandra moon ऍ. We’ll show it as ӗ.

i sounds short like ‘i’ in pill.

ī sounds long like ‘ie’ in believe.

u sounds short like ‘u’ in pull.

ū sounds long like ‘oo’ in pool.

ŗ sounds short like ‘ri’ in prickly or prismoidal.

e sounds of medium length like ‘e’ in pen or ‘ay’ in pay.

ê is classified as a long ē , but we’re using ê to show that it sounds like the diphthong ‘ei’ in feint or ‘ai’ in faint. (Many books Romanize ऐ as ‘ai’, but this can be confused with the short vowels ‘a’ and ‘i’ together—अइ)

o sounds of medium length like ‘o’ in told.

ô is classified as a long ō , but we’re using ô to show that it sounds like the diphthong ‘ow’ in now or, rarely, as in owner. (It is often Romanized as ‘au’, but this could be confused with short vowels ‘a’ and ‘u’ together—अउ.)

ḥ (‘visarga’) is abruptly expelled like ‘uhh’ or as ‘ah’ in Judah.

` is our Romanization of the halant (or hasanta) mark (্) that shows no vowel is present—as in paḍḫ`nu (not paḍḫanu) (to read).

͂ represents the nasalization of vowels, as in a, ã; ā, ā͂; kā, kā͂.

Consonants in the Alphabetical Order of Devanagari

(These are shown with the inherent vowel, ‘a’.)

Guttural:

ka, kḫa, ga, gḫa, ṅa

क, ख, ग, घ, ङ

Palatal:

ca, cḫa, ja, jḫa, ña

च, छ, ज, झ, ञ

Retroflex:

ṭa, ṭḫa, ḍa, ḍḫa, ṇa, ṛa, ṛḫa

ट, ठ, ड, ढ, ण, ड़, ढ़

Dental:

ta, tḫa, da, dḫa, na

त, थ, द, ध, न

Labial:

pa, pḫa, ba, bḫa, ma

प, फ, ब, भ, म

Semi-vowels:

ya, ra, la, va

य, र, ल, व

Sibilant:

śa, ṣa, sa

श, ष, स

Aspirant:

ह

c sounds like ‘ch’ in ‘chin’.

ḫ is used to indicate that the associated consonant is ‘huffed’. (Compare ‘bh’ in the English word, ‘abhor’.

h is a separate consonant, not like ḫ that is used to ‘huff’ consonants.

Foreign sounds are represented by adding a dot to the closest sounding Devanagari characters. fa = फ़ , qa = क़ , za = ज़ .

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3 – WORDS AND PHRASES TO BE COVERED

& FIRST CONVERSATIONS

Contents of Section 3

3.1—Introduction to Sentence Structure

3.2—Gradual Extension of Sentence Structure in Any Language

3.2.1—Game 1—Build Sentence Details

3.2.2—Game 2—Purpose

3.2.3—Game 3—Love

3.2.4—Game 4—Seed

3.2.5—Game 5—Your Own Photographs

3.3—First Conversations in Nepali

3.3.1—General Notes on Our Presentation

3.3.2—Example 1—How are you? Fine, thanks!

3.3.3—Example 2—I’m fine, thanks!

3.3.4—Example 3—[You, please,] read this message!

3.3.5—Example 4—What is it?

3.3.6—Example 5—My name is X. What is God’s name?

3.3.7—Example 6—No, he does not say his own message.

3.3.8—Example 7—Yes, you give your little invitation.

3.3.9—Example 8—He says [his] own name.

3.3.10—Example 9—We say our faith, and …

3.3.11—Example 10—No, they haven’t any invitation.

3.3.12—Example 11—YOU speak very good news.

3.3.13—Example 12—That man does good work.

3.3.14—Example 13—If a good man does only good work, then …

3.3.15—Example 14—… then who does this bad work now?

3.3.16—Example 15—Do you know the answer to the question?

3.3.17—Example 16—We can explain.

3.3.18—Example 17—We can explain the truth to you.

3.4—Review of First Conversations and Grammar Covered

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[Start of Section 3—Words & Phrases Covered]

3.1—Introduction to Sentence Structure

3.2—Gradual Extension of Sentence Structure in Any Language

Picture your thought and describe it

Learn to communicate your point very simply to begin with. A good approach is to ‘picture’ your thought and describe it as best you can. As you master more of the language, you can add more details, if you wish.

3.2.1—Game 1—Build Sentences Using More and More Detail

Build up a sentence in stages, each time adding more detail. Tell what is happening in this sequence of pictures. Do this in your own language to learn this method.

A—Whom do you see?

B—What does he do?

C—What does his action affect?

D—Describe him.

E—Describe what his action affects.

F—Describe the action.

G—…and… describe what happens next.

For example, building from A, B, and C:-

The boy | kicks | the ball.

Maybe you said (building from A to G):-

A^Dblue^Aboy | ^Bkicks^Fhigh | a^Ebrown^Cball, |
^Gand… |
the girl catches it.

3.2.2—Game 2—Purpose

Use these pictures to describe God’s purpose for humans and the earth.

3.2.3—Game 3—Love

Use these pictures to describe how God wants us to treat others.

3.2.4—Game 4—Seed

Use these pictures to describe an amazing proof of God’s creation.

3.2.5—Game 5—Your Own Photographs

Select some of your own pictures or photos. Make simple sentences to describe their main message. Use the elements of sentence structure A-G illustrated above. Try this with any language you know.

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[Start of Section 3—Words & Phrases Covered]

3.3—First Conversations in Nepali

Discover how to build simple sentences using the building blocks provided in these examples. These illustrate most of the grammatical elements that will be explained in detail from Section 4 onwards.

3.3.1—General Notes on Our Presentation of Nepali Sentences

1. Note that throughout this course ‘YOU’ means the plural of ‘you’.
2. Note that English pronouns underlined are equivalent to the honorific form in Nepali.
3. Nepali letters with a dot below represent the ‘cerebral’ sound, not the ‘dental’ family.
4. In these Nepali spellings ‘_’ indicates that the adjacent letters get brought together as one syllable.
5. In these Nepali spellings ‘-’ indicates that the adjacent letters are in different syllables.
6. We will use two levels of ‘respect’—medium (M) and high or honorific (H).
7. I and we are person (1); you, you, YOU, and YOU are person (2); he, she, it, they, etc. are person (3).
8. Nepali has two forms of ‘be’—ho is definitive; cḫa is general with location, adjectives, etc.
9. fast_nepali_sounds_alphabet gives guidance on pronunciation.

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[Start of Section 3—Words & Phrases Covered]

3.3.2—Example 1—How are you?

3.3.2.1—Toolbox

You * (2H)

—tapāī͂ 4.2 : pronouns

are (2H, generally)

—hunuhuncḫa 5.5.3 : hunu

(~“hunuhun-ch-ha”)

You are (2H, generally)

—tapāī͂ hunuhuncḫa

how? (in what state)

—kasto? 6.2 : how?

fine, O.K., well (in health)

—sanco

(~“san-cho”) 6.2 : how?

* See [General Notes]

3.3.2.2—Stage 1

You are ….

You … are Verbs : to be

tapāī͂ … hunuhuncḫa 5.5.3 : hunu

tapāī͂ … hunuhuncḫa.

3.3.2.3—Stage 2

How are you?

You how are? 6.2 : how? Adj.

tapāī͂ kasto hunuhuncḫa? Put verb last

tapāī͂ kasto hunuhuncḫa?

3.3.2.4—Stage 3

You are well.

You well are Adjectives

tapāī͂ sanco hunuhuncḫa 6.2 : well

tapāī͂ sanco hunuhuncḫa!

3.3.3—Example 2—I’m fine, thanks!

3.3.3.1—Toolbox

I —ma 4.2 : Doers:

I am (generally) pronouns

—ma cḫu 5.5.3 : hunu, to be

fine, O.K., well

—sanco 6.2 : well

(~“san-cho”)

Thank you

—dḫanyavād

3.3.3.2—Stage 1

I’m fine, thanks.

I fine am. 4.2 : pronouns

ma sanco cḫu. 5.5.3 : hunu, to be

Thanks [to you] [be]

dhanya-vād [ ] [ ]

ma sanco cḫu, dhanyavād.

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[Start of Section 3—Words & Phrases Covered]

3.3.4—Example 3—[You, please,] read this message!

3.3.4.1—Toolbox

to read —paḍḫ`nu 5.1 : Verbs

‘Please be so kind as to…’ (2H) /

…if you would! …please! 5.9.1 :

—…-hos`! Imperative

Honorific

‘Please be so kind as to read’ (2H) /
[You] read, if you would [/please]!

—[tapāī͂] paḍḫ`nuhos`!

5.9.1

message —sandeś 4.1 : Nouns:

(~“sandesh”) doers

this —yo 6.2 : adjectives

3.3.4.2—Stage 1

this message

yo 6.2 : this, as an adjective

sandeś 4.1 : Nouns as doers

yo sandeś

yo sandeś

3.3.4.3—Stage 2

[You, please] read this!

[You] this read, please! 5.9.1 :

paḍḫ`nuhos`! Imperative

(2H)

[tapāī͂] paḍḫ`nuhos`!

[tapāī͂] yo paḍḫ`nuhos`!

[tapāī͂] yo paḍḫ`nuhos`!

3.3.4.3—Stage 3

[You, please,] read this message!

[You] this message read, please. 5.9.1

[tapāī͂] paḍḫ`nuhos`! Imper-

[tapāī͂] sandeś paḍḫ`nuhos`! ative

[tapāī͂] yo sandeś paḍḫ`nuhos`! (2H)

[tapāī͂] yo sandeś paḍḫ`nuhos`!

[tapāī͂] yo sandeś paḍḫ`nuhos`!

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[Start of Section 3—Words & Phrases Covered]

3.3.5—Example 4—What is it?

3.3.5.1—Toolbox

it, that —tyo 4.2 : pronouns

is (Low, generally)

—cḫa 5.5.3 : hunu, to be

it is (generally)

—tyo cḫa generally, not as

a definition!

what? —ke? 4.2 : Pronouns

3.3.5.2—Stage 1

It is.

It [is]

cḫa.

tyo cḫa.

tyo cḫa.

tyo cḫa.

3.3.5.3—Stage 2

What is it?

It what is

cḫa

ke cḫa? The verb is placed last.

tyo ke cḫa?

tyo ke cḫa?

tyo ke cḫa?

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[Start of Section 3—Words & Phrases Covered]

3.3.6—Example 5—My name is X. What is God’s name?

3.3.6.1—Toolbox

-’s, of —-ko (masculine)

-kī (feminine)

-kā (plural)

my —mero | merī | merā - " -

name —nām 4.1 : Nouns

to say; to tell —bḫannu 5.1 : Verbs

[I] say, [I] tell 5.5.1 : Conj

—[ma] bḫancḫu ugation

is (defintively) —ho 5.5.3 :

hunu, to be

god (generally) 4.1 : Nouns

—īśvar (~“eesh-shvar”)

(Most High) God

—parameśvar 4.1 : Nouns

God’s —īśvar-ko 9.4 : Object

nouns

Jehovah —yahovā 4.1 : Nouns

[we] say —bḫancḫỗ 5.5.1 : Conju-

(~“b_ḫan_ch_ḫā_ung”) gation

we —hāmī / 4.2 :

hāmīharū Pronoun

Come,…! Let’s !

—āo, … 5.9.2 :

Let us …!

3.3.6.2 Stage 1

my name

my name

nām

mero nām 9.3.1 : Possessive form of I

mero nām

3.3.6.3 Stage 2

I say my name. (Or, ‘I will say my name.’)

I my name say

ma bḫancḫu. The verb

ma nām bḫancḫu. is put last.

ma mero nām bḫancḫu.

ma mero nām bḫancḫu.

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[Start of Section 3—Words & Phrases Covered]

3.3.6.4 Stage 3

My name is X.

my name X is

nām ho.

mero nām ho. 5.5.3 : hunu to be

mero nām X ho. (definitively)

mero naam X ho.

mero nām X cḫa.

3.3.6.5 Stage 4

What is God’s name? (Exodus 3:13-15)

God’s name what is?

ke? 12 : Interr-

ke ho? ogatives

nām ke ho?

īśvar-ko nām ke ho?

3.3.6.6 Stage 5

God’s name is Jehovah. (Psalm 83:18)

God’s name Jehovah is

īsvarko

īsvarko nām

īsvarko nām ho.

īsvarko nām yahovā ho. Exodus 3:15

īsvarko nām yahovā ho. Matthew 22:37

īśvar-ko nām yahovā ho.

3.3.6.7 Stage 6

We say God’s name.

We God’s name say

hāmīharū 4.2

hāmīharū bḫancḫỗ. 5.5.1 :

hāmīharū nām bḫancḫỗ. Conju-

hāmīharū nām bḫancḫỗ. gation

hāmīharū īśvar-ko nām bḫancḫỗ.

hāmīharū īśvar-ko nām bḫancḫỗ.

3.3.6.8 Stage 7

Let’s say God’s name! (Or, ‘Come, we say God’s name!’)

Come! we God’s name say 5.9.2

āo, Let us…

hāmīharū

hāmīharū bḫancḫỗ.

hāmīharū nām bḫancḫỗ.

hāmīharū īśvar-ko nām bḫancḫỗ.

āo, hāmīharū īśvar-ko nām bḫancḫỗ.

āo, hāmīharū īśvar-ko nām bḫancḫỗ.

āo, hāmīharū īśvar-ko nām bḫancḫỗ!

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[Start of Section 3—Words & Phrases Covered]

3.3.7—Example 6

3.3.7.1—Toolbox

he, she (generally, near or far) (3M)

—unī 4.2 : Pronoun

he says; he tells

—unī bḫancḫa 5.5.1 : Verbs

“No” —ahã

not (negative particle)

—na

he does not say; he does not tell

(literally: ‘he is not saying’)

—unī bḫandênan` 5.5.2 : Verbs

message —sandeś (~“sandesh”)

his, her, its 9.3

—usko | uskī | uskā

own —āpḫno 6.2 : Adjective

his own —usko āpḫno

3.3.7.2—Stage 1

No, he does not say his own message.

He his (own) message says not.

unī

unī bḫandênan`. 5.5.2 :

unī sandeś bḫandênan`. not do,

unī usko sandeś bḫandênan`. etc.

unī usko

(āpḫno) sandeś bḫandênan`.

ahã, unī usko āpḫno sandeś bḫandênan`.

3.3.8—Example 7—Yes, you give your little invitation.

3.3.8.1—Toolbox

you (2H) tapāī͂ 4.2 : Pronouns

as doers

you give (2H) 5.5.1 : Conjug-

tapāī͂ dinu huncḫa ation,honorific

your (2H) tapāī͂ko|-kī|-kā 9.3 : Change

personal

pronouns by case

one’s own āpḫno

invitation nimto 4.1 : Nouns

little sāno

“Yes” ã (~“ang”)

3.3.8.2—Stage 1

Yes, you give your little invitation.

Yes, You your little invitation give

tapāī͂ dinu huncḫa

tapāī͂ nimto dinu huncḫa

tapāī͂ tapāī͂ko nimto dinu huncḫa

tapāī͂ tapāī͂ko sāno nimto dinu huncḫa

ã, tapāī͂ tapāī͂ko sāno nimto dinu huncḫa

ã, tapāī͂ tapāī͂ko sāno nimto dinu huncḫa.

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[Start of Section 3—Words & Phrases Covered]

3.3.9—Example 8—He says [his] own name.

3.3.9.1—Toolbox

He, she (3H near or far)

uhā͂ 4.2 : Pronouns

He says / tells (3H) 5.5.1 :

uhā͂ bhannu huncḫa honorific

his, her (3H near or far)

uhā͂ko|-kī|-kā 9.3 : Changes

his own (3H); one’s own

āpḫno 6.2 : Adjective

name nām 4.1 : Nouns

3.3.9.2—Stage 1

He says [his] own name. (The word ‘his’ gets omitted.)

He [his] own name says.

uhā͂ bḫannu huncḫa.

uhā͂ nām bḫannu huncḫa.

uhā͂ āpḫno nām bḫannu huncḫa.

uhā͂ āpḫno nām bḫannu huncḫa.

uhā͂ āpḫno nām bḫannu huncḫa.

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[Start of Section 3—Words & Phrases Covered]

3.3.10—Example 9—We say our faith, and …

3.3.10.1—Toolbox

we hāmī / hāmīharū 4.2 : Pronoun

we say, we tell

hāmīharū bḫancḫỗ 5.5.1 : Con-

(~“b_ḫan_ch_ḫā_ung”) jugation,

honorific

faith viśvās

our hāmro|-ī|-ā 9.5 :

hāmro masculine

hāmrī feminine

hāmrā plural

-s’, of -ko|-kī|-kā (m.|f.|pl.)

and … ra… 10.1 : Connec-

tives

3.3.10.2—Stage 1

We say our faith, and …

We our faith say, and …

hāmīharū bḫancḫỗ

hāmīharū viśvās bḫancḫỗ

hāmīharū hāmro viśvās bḫancḫỗ

hāmīharū hāmro viśvās bḫancḫỗ ra …

hāmīharū hāmro viśhvās bḫancḫỗ, ra…

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[Start of Section 3—Words & Phrases Covered]

3.3.11—Example 10—No, they haven’t any invitation.

3.3.11.1—Toolbox

they (3M) (near or far)

unīharū

their (3M) (near or far)

(masc.|fem.|plur.) unīharūko|-kī|-kā

invitation nimto

sister bahinī

brother bḫāi

-s -harū

brothers bḫāiharū

is / exists (3L or M) generally

cḫa

is no / exists not (3L or M) generally

cḫêna

are / exist (3L or M) generally

cḫan`

are not / exist not (3L or M) generally

cḫênan`

they take (3M) (near or far)

unīharū lincḫan`

they take (3H) (near or far)

uhā͂harū linu huncḫa

“Yes” ã (~“ang”)

3.3.11.2—Stage 1

No, their invitation is not / exists not. (No, they haven’t any invitation.)

No, their invitation [ ] is not. 5.5.4 :

cḫêna hunu -

nimto cḫêna. to be

unīharūko nimto [ ] cḫêna. (negative)

ahã, unīharūko nimto [ ] cḫêna.

ahã, unīharūko nimto cḫêna.

3.3.11.3—Stage 2

Yes, my sister is / exists. (Yes, I have a sister.)

Yes, my sister [ ] is.

cḫa.

bahinī cḫa.

merī bahinī cḫa. 9.5 : merī

ã, merī bahinī [ ] cḫa. (feminine)

ã, merī bahinī cḫa.

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[Start of Section 3—Words & Phrases Covered]

3.3.11.4—Stage 3

Our brothers are / exist not. (We have no brothers.)

Our brothers [ ] are not.

unīharūkā bḫāiharū cḫênan`. 5.5.4 :

unīharūkā bḫāiharū cḫênan`. hunu to be

unīharūkā bḫāiharū [ ] cḫênan`. (negative)

unīharūkā bḫāiharū cḫênan`.

3.3.11.5—Stage 4

They take their invitation.

They their invitation take.

unīharū lincḫan`. 5.5.1 :

unīharū nimto lincḫan`. Plural

unīharū āpḫno nimto lincḫan`. verb

unīharū āpḫno nimto lincḫan`.

3.3.12—Example 11—YOU speak very good news.

3.3.12.1—Toolbox

YOU (3H plural)

tapāī͂harū 4.2 : Pronoun

YOU say, YOU tell 5.5.1 : Verb

tapāī͂harū bḫannu huncḫa

news khabar 4.1 : Noun

very dḫerê

(~“d_ḫe_rā_ee”) 7 : Adverb

good rāmro 6.2 : Adjective

3.3.12.2—Stage 1

YOU speak very good news.

YOU (very)

good news say.

tapāī͂harū bḫannu huncḫa.

tapāī͂harū khabar bḫannu huncḫa.

tapāī͂harū rāmro khabar bḫannu huncḫa.

tapāī͂harū (dḫerê)

rāmro khabar bḫannu huncḫa.

tapāī͂harū dḫerê rāmro khabar bḫannu huncḫa.

[List of Contents]

[Start of Section 3—Words & Phrases Covered]

3.3.13—Example 12—That man does good work.

3.3.13.1—Toolbox

man lognemancḫe

[the] man does lognemancḫe garcḫa

work kām

he / she (M, generally, near or far)

unī

does (3M) garcḫa

he works, he does work

unī kām garcḫa

good rāmro

that (demonstrative adjective); that one (pronoun)

tyo

3.3.13.2—Stage 1

That man does good work.

That man good work does.

lognemancḫe

lognemancḫe garcḫa.

lognemancḫe kām garcḫa.

lognemancḫe rāmro kām garcḫa.

tyo lognemancḫe rāmro kām garcḫa.

[List of Contents]

[Start of Section 3—Words & Phrases Covered]

3.3.14—Example 13—If a good man does only good work, then …

3.3.14.1—Toolbox

only mātra 7 : Adverbs

in the case whereby / 11 :

having happened, say / Conditional

if, say bḫane sentences

if (often omitted) Not needed

[yadi] with bḫane

then (invariably omitted)

[ta / taba] Omit mainly

3.3.14.2—Stage 1

If a good man does only good work, then …

[If] [a] good man good work only does, say,

[then]

lognemancḫe garcḫa

lognemancḫe kām garcḫa

rāmro lognemancḫe kām garcḫa

rāmro lognemancḫe rāmro kām garcḫa

rāmro lognemancḫe rāmro kām maatra garcḫa

[yadi] rāmro lognemancḫe rāmro kām maatra garcḫa …

[yadi] rāmro lognemancḫe rāmro kām maatrê garcḫa bḫane,

[taba]

rāmro lognemancḫe rāmro kām mātrê garcḫa bḫane, …

[List of Contents]

[Start of Section 3—Words & Phrases Covered]

3.3.15—Example 14—… then who does this bad work now?

3.3.15.1—Toolbox

who? ko? 12 : question

this yo (demonstrative adjective)

this one yo 4.2 : pronoun

yo 6.2 : adjective

bad narāmro /

kḫarāb 6.2 : adjective

now ahile 7 : adverb

3.3.15.2—Stage 1

… then who does this bad work now?

… [then] who this bad work now does?

ko garcḫa?

ko kām garcḫa?

ko yo narāmro kām garcḫa?

ko yo narāmro kām ahile garcḫa?

… [tabe] ko yo narāmro kām ahile garcḫa?

… ko yo narāmro kām ahile garcḫa?

3.3.16—Example 15—Do you know the answer to the question?

3.3.16.1—Toolbox

whether, is it so?

ke…? 12 : Question

you know tapāī͂ jānnu huncḫa

5.5.1 : Verb

question praśna 4.1 : Noun

of the question, question’s 9.4 : Changes

praśnako to nouns

answer uttar; javāpḫ 4.1 : Nouns

answer to the question

praśnako uttar (=…of the q.)

[List of Contents] [Start of Section 3]

3.3.16.2—Stage 1

Do you know [the] answer of [/to] the question?

whether

You question’s answer know?

tapāī͂ jānnu huncḫa

tapāī͂ uttar jānnu huncḫa

tapāī͂ praśnako uttar jānnu huncḫa

tapāī͂ praśnako uttar jānnu huncḫa?

ke tapāī͂ praśnako uttar jānnu huncḫa?

[Go to Top]

3.3.17—Example 16—We can explain.

3.3.17.1—Toolbox

explanation 5.7.1 : Auxiliary

vyākḫyā with a noun

to explain vyākḫyā garnu

to be able, / 5.7.2 :

can saknu Auxiliary

verb with

another verb

to be able to do, /

can do garna saknu - " -

we can do hāmīharū garna sakcḫỗ

3.3.17.2—Stage 1

We can explain.

We explanation making | can

hāmīharū sakcḫỗ 5.5.1

hāmīharū garna | sakcḫỗ 5.7.2

hāmīharū vyākḫyā garna | sakcḫỗ 5.7.1

hāmīharū vyākḫyā garna | sakcḫỗ

hāmīharū vyākḫyā garna sakcḫỗ.

[List of Contents]

[Start of Section 3—Words & Phrases Covered]

3.3.18—Example 17—We can explain the truth to you.

3.3.18.1—Toolbox

to … …-lāī A postposition

to you (2H) tapāīlāī 9.3: object case

that one tyo 4.2: (pronoun);

that tyo 6.2: (adjective)

it tyo 9.3: It, unchanged

(the) truth satya 4.1: nouns

to be able saknu 5.1: verbs

[I] can sakcḫỗ 5.5.1: conjugate

to do/make garnu 5.1: verbs

[I] can do garna sakcḫỗ 5.7.2: auxiliary

explanation vyākḫyā 5.7.1: compound

3.3.18.2—Stage 1

We can explain that to you.

We to you it explanation

making | can

hāmīharū sakcḫỗ

hāmīharū garna | sakcḫỗ

hāmīharū vyākḫyā garna | sakcḫỗ

hāmīharū tyo vyākḫyā garna | sakcḫỗ

hāmīharū tapāīlāī tyo vyākḫyā garna | sakcḫỗ

hāmīharū tapāīlāī tyo vyākḫyā garna sakcḫỗ.

3.3.18.3—Stage 2

We can explain the truth to you.

We to you the truth explanation

making | can

hāmīharū sakcḫỗ

hāmīharū garna|sakcḫỗ

hāmīharū vyākḫyā garna|sakcḫỗ

hāmīharū satya vyākḫyā garna|sakcḫỗ

hāmīharū tapāīlāī satya vyākḫyā garna|sakcḫỗ

hāmīharū tapāīlāī satya vyākḫyā garna sakcḫỗ.

[List of Contents]

[Start of Section 3—Words & Phrases Covered]

3.4—Review of First Conversations and Grammar Covered

Translate the following sentences into Nepali and check them against Examples 1-17 (3.3.2 – 3.3.18) above.

1.1. You are…

1.2 How are you?

1.3 You are well!

2. I’m fine, thanks.

3. Read this message, please!

4. What is it?

5.1 My name

5.2 I [will] say my name.

5.3 My name is [X].

5.4 What is God’s name?

5.5 God’s name is Jehovah. (Psalm 83:18)

6. He does not say his own message.

7. Yes, you give your little invitation.

8. He says his own name.

9. We say our faith, and …

10. They take their invitation.

11. YOU say/speak very good news.

12. The man does good work.

13. If a good man does only good work, then …

14. … then who does this bad work now?

15. Do you know the answer to/of this question?

16. We can explain.

17.1 We can explain that to you.

17.2 We can explain the truth to you.

[Go to Top] [List of Contents]

[Start of Section 3—Words & Phrases Covered]

4 – DOERS (Nouns and pronouns)

Contents of Section 4

4.1—Nouns

4.1.1—Nouns Generally

4.1.2—Names of Days of the Week

4.1.3—Names of Months of the Year

4.2—Pronouns

4.3—Other Words Used Initially

Except Nouns and Pronouns

4.4—Tasks 4.1-4.6

4.1—Nouns

4.1.1—Nouns Generally

Nouns are the name given to persons or things.

A few nouns are listed here, because these are used in our explanations.. You can learn more nouns from vocabularies and dictionaries or a list of a few hundred most used words.

The plural is formed by appending ‘-harū’.

answer uttar / javāpḫ

explanation vyākḫyā / batāi

faith viśvās

God param󠅛eśvar

good news susamācār

invitation nimto / nimantraṇā

Jehovah yahovā

kindness kŗpā

man lognemāncḫe

message sandeś

messages sandeś-harū

name nām

news samācār / kḫabar

question praśna

truth satya

work kām

---

awareness, cognizance tḫāha

beginning / start śuru

brother (younger /

generally) bḫāi

doer garne

English person ãgrej

father bubā

follower celā

forgiveness / pardon kṣamā

friend sātḫī

happiness ānanda

help madat

kām garne doer of work /

worker

Jesus yeśu

life jīvan

meeting / gathering sabḫā

mental disposition mānasik jḫukāv

mother āmā

peace śānti

purpose uddeśya

sister (younger /

generally) bahinī

soul—a living person,

a ‘breather’ jīvita mānis

spirit—as one’s

mental attitude socne tārikā

talk / conversation /

subject matter / topic kurā / bāt

teacher śikṣak

the day after tomorrow parsi

tomorrow bḫoli

try / attempt kośiś

wish iccḫā

[Go to List of Contents]

[Go to Start of Section 4—Doers]

4.1.1.1—Task 4.1.1.1

Select and learn nouns in 4.1.1 that you wish to use initially.

4.1.2—Nouns for Days of the Week

दिन १: सोमवार din 1: somavār Day 1: Monday

दिन २: मङ्‍गलवार din 2: maṅgalavār Day 2: Tuesday

दिन ३: बुधवार din 3: budḫvār Day 3: Wednesday

दिन ४: बिहिवार din 4: bihivār Day 4: Thursday

दिन ५: शुक्रवार din 5: śukravār Day 5: Friday

दिन ६: शनिवार din 6: śanivār Day 6: Saturday

दिन ७: आइतवार din 7: āitavār Day 7: Sunday

4.1.3—Nouns for Names of the Months

महिना १: जनवरी mahinā 1: janawarī Month 1: January

महिना २: फेब्रुअरी mahinā 2: pḫebruarī Month 2: February

महिना ३: मार्च mahinā 3: mārc Month 3: March

महिना ४: अप्रिल mahinā 4: april Month 4: April

महिना ५: मे mahinā 5: me Month 5: May

महिना ६: जून mahinā 6: jūn Month 6: June

महिना ७: जुलाई mahinā 7: julāī Month 7: July

महिना ८: अगस्त mahinā 8: agast Month 8: August

महिना ९: सेप्टेम्बर mahinā 9: sepṭembar Month 9: September

महिना १०: अक्टोबर mahinā 10: akṭobar Month 10: October

महिना ११: नोभेम्बर mahinā 11: nobḫembar Month 11: November

महिना १२: डिसेम्बर mahinā 12: ḍisembar Month 12: December

4.2—Pronouns

Pronouns substitute for the actual name given to persons or things. Demonstrative pronouns stand alone.

who? ko?

(ko + -le =

kasle—see 9.3)

what? ke?

this, it, he/she (near) yo

that, it, he/she (far) tyo

they, those ones (near) yī

they, those ones (far) tī

Personal Pronouns are listed here. This is their basic form that applies if they are the doer (subject, nominative case) in a clause.

He said to me that I should tell him.

Note that in most languages this form of the nouns and pronouns may be modified in various ways, if they occur as the object (like me and him in this example).

He said to me that I should tell him.

See the later consideration of “Changing Forms of Objects According to ‘Case’” (at 9.3.)

SINGULAR PLURAL

1 I ma

1 we hāmīharū

2L you tã

2M you timī

2M you timīharū

3LN he, she ū

3LN they yī

3LF he, she ū

3LF they tī

3MN he, she yinī they/these yinīharū

3M he, she unī they unīharū

3MF he, she tinī those tinīharū

3-N this, it yo they, these yī

3-F that, it tyo they, those tī

2H you tapāī͂ YOU tapāī͂harū

3HN he, she yahā͂ these yahā͂harū

3H he, she uhā͂ they uhā͂harū

3HF he, she vahā͂ those vahā͂harū

Note:

Levels of relative honour for persons:-

L=low; M= medium; H=high/honorific.

Proximity:-

N=near; F=far (contrast ‘this’ and ‘that’).

Changing forms with postpositions:-

unī + -le becomes unle;

tinī + -le becomes tinle

[Go to List of Contents]

[Go to Start of Section 4—Doers]

4.2.1—Task 4.2.1

Select and learn pronouns in 4.2 that you wish to use initially.

4.3—Other Words Used Initially Other than Nouns and Pronouns

is (generally) cḫa

is (definitively) ho

Yes ã

No ahã

how? kasto?

thank you dḫanyavād

and ra

whether? is it so?) ke?

well sanco / rāmrarī /

svastḫa / niko

unwell birāmī / bisanco

good / nice rāmro

bad / wicked narāmro / kḫarāb

where? kahā͂?

here yahā͂

there tyahā͂

when? kahile?

of ko

person(s) (a particle) janā

three [person] men tīn [janā] māncḫe

thing(s) (a particle) vaṭā

three [thing] books tīn [vaṭā] kitāb

animal(s) (a particle) vaṭā

two [animal] chickens duī [vaṭā] kukḫurā

[Go to Top] [Go to List of Contents]

[Go to Start of Section 4—Doers]

4.4—Tasks

4.4.1—Task 4.1

Try to learn the words in 4.3.

4.4.2—Task 4.2

Translate:-

1. yo sandeś; yī sandeś-harū

2. yo sandeś ke cḫa?

3. yo sandeś susamācār ho.

4. yo sandeś parameśvar ko susamācār ho.

Answers:-

1. this message; these messages

2. What is this message?

3. This message is good news.

4. This message is God’s good news.

4.4.3—Task 4.3

Translate:-

1. that book; those books

2. What is that book?

3. That book is God’s good news.

4. [The] book’s name.

5. What is [the] book’s name?

6. [The] book’s name is [the] Bible.

Answers:-

1. tyo kitāb; tī kitāb-harū

2. tyo kitāb ke ho?

3. tyo kitāb parameśvar ko susamācār ho.

4. kitāb ko nām.

5. kitāb ko nām ke cḫa?

6. kitāb ko nām bāibal ho.

4.4.4—Task 4.4

Translate:-

1. This name

2. What is this name?

3. This name is God’s name.

4. Where is [it]?

5. Here it is!

6. God’s name is here—it is Jehovah.

Answers:-

1. yo nām

2. yo nām ke ho?

3. yo nām parameśvar ko nām ho.

4. kahā͂ cḫa?

5. yahā͂ cḫa!

6. parameśvar ko nám yahā͂ cḫa—yahovā ho.

4.4.5—Task 4.5

Translate:-

1. yo nimto

2. yo nimto ko kurā

3. tyo nimto ko kurā ke ho?

4. yo sandeś ko kurā śānti ho.

5. ã, tyo śānti ko kurā ho.

6. śānti kahā͂ cḫa?

7. yo sandeś parameśvar ko susamācār ho.

Answers:-

1. This invitation

2. This invitation’s subject matter

3. What is the subject matter of that message?

4. This message’s subject matter is peace.

5. Yes, it is a matter concerning peace.

6. Where is peace?

7. This message is God’s good news.

4.4.6—Task 4.6

Revisit Task 4.2, but this time translate the answers into Nepali.

4.4.7—Task 4.7

Revisit Task 4.3, but this time translate the answers into English.

4.4.8—Task 4.8

Revisit Task 4.4, but this time translate the answers into English.

4.4.9—Task 4.9

Revisit Task 4.5, but this time translate the answers into Nepali.

[Go to Top] [Go to List of Contents]

[Go to Start of Section 4—Doers, Nouns]

5 – PROCESS DONE (Verbs)—Past, Present and Future

Contents of Section 5

5.1—Verbs Used in this Explanation

5.2—Past Tense—a Simple Form

5.2.1—Past Tense Base

5.2.2—Past Tense Use of ‘-le’ (by) with

Some Objects

5.2.3—Simple Past Tense Verb Endings:-

(Affirmative)—garnu

5.2.4—Simple Past Tense Verb Endings:-

(Negative)—garnu

5.2.5—Tasks—Past Regular like garnu

5.2.6—Past Tense Use of ‘hunu’ (to be):-

Development and Situation

5.2.7—Simple Past Tense Verb Endings:-

(Affirmative)—hunu

5.2.7.1—Past Development (Affirmative):-

was—ma bḫaẽ

5.2.7.2—Past Situation (Affirmative):-

was—ma thiẽ

5.2.8—Simple Past Tense Verb Endings:-

(Negative)—hunu

5.2.8.1—Past Development (Negative):-

was not—ma bḫainã

5.2.8.2—Past Situation (Negative):-

was not—ma tḫiinã

5.2.9—Tasks—Past Tense of hunu

5.3—Present Tense

5.3.1—Habitual Present Tense:-

Regular, like ‘garnu’

5.3.1.1—Base ends in a consonant

5.3.1.2—Base ends in only one vowel

5.3.1.3—Base ends in two vowels together

5.3.1.4—Present Habitual Verb Endings

5.3.2—Habitual Present Tense:-

‘hunu’ Definitive and Variable

5.3.3—Continuous Present Tense

5.3.3.1—Base ends in a consonant

5.3.3.2—Base ends in only one vowel

5.3.3.3—Base ends in two vowels together

5.4—Future Tense—Simple Expectation

5.4.1—Present Tenses Used for the Future

5.4.2—Probable Future Tense Alternative

5.5—A Past, a Present, a Future Together

5.5.1—Regular like ‘garnu’—Affirmative

5.5.2—Regular like ‘garnu’—Negative

5.5.3—Irregular ‘hunu’—Affirmative

5.5.4—Irregular ‘hunu’—Negative

5.6—Causative Verbs

5.6.1—Base Verbs with Causative Verbs

5.6.2—Examples Using Causative Verbs

5.6.3—Tasks—Using Causative Verbs

5.7—Auxiliary Verbs

5.7.1—Auxiliary Verbs with a Noun

5.7.2—Auxiliary Verbs with Another Verb

5.8—Compulsion and Prohibition

5.8.1—An Action is Required or is Not

5.8.1.1—‘parcḫa’—‘behoove’

5.8.1.2—‘…-ne cḫa’—‘to be to …’

5.8.2—Past, Present, Affirmative, Negative

5.8.3—Intransitive (without an object)

5.8.4—Transitive: impersonal object

5.8.5—Transitive: personal object

5.8.6—Examples

5.8.6.1—Basic Examples

5.8.6.2—Detailed Examples

5.8.7—Prohibition

5.8.7.1—niṣedḫa—forbidden

5.8.7.2—‘Do not …’ for ‘You must not …’

5.8.8—Reported or Quoted Requirements

5.9—Imperatives

5.9.1—Positive Imperatives

5.9.1.1—For tapāī͂, add –hos`

5.9.1.2—For timī

5.9.1.3—Third Person, he, she, it

5.9.2—Let us …! Come, we …! āo, hāmī …!

5.9.3—Negative Imperatives

5.10—Future Tense—Probable Form

5.10.1—Future—Probable—Bases

5.10.2—Future—Probable—Affirmative

5.10.3—Future—Probable—Negative

5.10.4—Future—Probable—Tasks

5.11—Passive Verbs

5.11.1—Purpose and Pattern

5.11.1.1—Active and Passive Voices

5.11.1.2—Active Voice Grammar

5.11.1.3—Passive Voice Grammar

5.11.1.4—Details Lost in Translation

5.11.2—Example of dekḫinu—be seen

5.11.3—Other Passive Verbs

5.11.4—Tasks—Passive Verbs

5.12—Present Perfect Tense

5.12.1—Perfect Participle –eko (-ed)

5.12.2—Present Perfect Auxiliary Verb

5.12.3—Definitive Auxiliary ‘hoina’

5.12.4—Examples of Present Perfect

5.12.5—Tasks—Present Perfect

5.12.6—Cause-and-Effect with ‘X hunāle’

(‘on X obtaining’)

5.13—Past Perfect Tense (Completed Past)

5.13.1—Past Perfect Auxiliary Verb

5.13.2—Examples of Past Perfect

5.13.3—Tasks—Past Perfect

5.13.4—Cause-and-Effect with ‘X hunāle’

(‘X having obtained’)

5.14—‘-ne’: the Gerundive Idea of a Verb

5.14.1—The Action

5.14.2—The Doer of the Action

5.14.3—Tasks—‘-ne’ Gerundive Verb Form

5.15—Special Use of Verb Participles ‘bḫanera’ and ‘bḫaneko’

5.15.1—X bḫanera: saying X (to myself)

5.15.2—X bḫanera: recalling X

5.15.3—X bḫaneko: having said X (to myself) and intending X

5.15.4—bḫaneko ‘X’ ho: has the meaning ‘X’

[Go to List of Contents]

5.1—Verbs Used in this Explanation

garnu to do; to make

hunu to be (present:

definitive or changeable)

to be (past:

development or situation)

bḫannu to say; to tell

āunu to come

garāunu to cause to do;

to cause to make

piunu to drink

jānu to go

jānnu to know

dḫunu to wash

sunnu to hear; to listen

sunāunu to cause to hear; to tell

siknu to learn

sikāunu to cause to learn; to teach

calnu to go, proceed

calāunu to drive; to cause to go

bujḫnu to understand

bujḫāunu to make understood;

to cause to understand

lagnu to feel (=to be felt like)

to be applied

lāgāunu to apply; to fix

kḫānu to eat

kḫuwāunu to feed;

(to cause to eat)

marnu to die

mārnu to kill;

(to cause to die)

cāhanu to want to;

to wish to

saknu to be able to; (can)

lyāunu to bring

linu to take

dinu to give

pāunu to get, manage to, be able to

dekḫnu to see

dekḫinu to be seen

tarsinu to be frightened

tarsāunu /

darāunu to frighten

paḍḫ`nu to read

parnu to fall

pārnu to cause to fall / render

hĩḍnu to walk about

[Go to List of Contents] [Start of Section 5—Verbs]

5.1.1—Tasks

5.1.1.1—Task 5.1.1.1

Select and learn some of the verbs lists at 5.1.

5.1.1.2—Task 5.1.1.2

Translate:-

1. hunu, āunu, jānu, garnu

2. siknu, sikāunu, sunnu, sunāunu

3. dinu, linu, pāunu

Answers:-

1. to be, to come, to go, to do

2. to learn, to teach, to hear/listen, to cause to hear

3. to give, to take, to receive/obtain

5.1.1.3—Task 5.1.1.3

Translate:-

1. to want to, to be able to, to go, to do

2. to see, to be seen

3. to bring, to read

Answers:-

1. cāhanu, saknu, jānu, garnu

2. dekḫnu, dekhinu

3. lyāunu, paḍḫ`nu

5.1.1.4—Task 5.1.1.4

Translate the answers at Task 5.1.1.2 from English into Nepali.

5.1.1.5—Task 5.1.1.5

Translate the answers at Task 5.1.1.3 from Nepali into English.

5.2—Past Tense—a Simple Form

A simple past tense base (5.2.1) is modified with the verb endings shown at 5.5 below:-

5.5.1—typical, like garnu (affirmative)

5.5.2—typical, like garnu (negative)

5.5.3—hunu (affirmative)

5.5.4—hunu (negative)

5.2.1—Past Tense Base

The standard past tense base is formed by dropping ‘-nu’ from the dictionary form of the verb—as for garnu with its base ‘gar-’. Other bases require different modifications, as listed below.

Refer- Present Past

ence Tense Comment Tense

Form Base (Ends in…) Base Comment

garnu gar- A consonant gar- (Normal)

āunu āu- 2 vowels ā- Shortened

garāunu garāu- 2 vowels garā- Shortened

piunu piu- 2 vowels pi- Shortened

hunu hu- 1 vowel tḫi-/bḫa- Special*

jānu jā- 1 vowel ga- Special

dḫunu dḫu- 1 vowel: ‘-u’ dḫo- Special

* See the separate details later for ‘hunu’ (5.2.3, 5.5.3) after the regular verb endings that follow the example of ‘garnu’ (5.5.1).

The regular verb ending for the first person singular is ‘ẽ’.

I did—gar- + ẽ —ma garẽ

I went—ga- + ẽ —ma gaẽ

I was (situated)—tḫi- + ẽ —ma tḫiẽ

I was (completed)—bḫa- + ẽ —ma bḫaẽ

Tasks—Working with Past Tense Bases

5.2.1.1 Task 5.2.1.1

Try to learn the past tense bases in 5.2.1.

5.2.1.2—Task 5.2.1.2

Attach the verb ending ‘ẽ’ to the verb base.

Translate:-

1. ma garẽ, ma gaẽ, ma āẽ, ma dhoẽ (See 5.5.1)

2. ma piẽ, ma garāẽ (See 5.5.1)

3. ma tḫiẽ, ma bhaẽ (See 5.5.3)

Answers:-

1. I did, I went, I came, I washed

2. I drank, I caused to be done,

3. I was (situation); I was (development)

5.2.1.3—Task 5.2.1.3

Translate the answers at Task 5.2.1.2 from English to Nepali.

5.2.2—Past Tense Use of ‘-le’ (by) with Some Objects

If the verb affects an object, insert ‘le’ (like ‘by’, ‘with the action of’) and change the form of the doer into the Indirect Object case.

I did—ma garẽ

I did work—mêle kām garẽ (Note how ‘ma’ changes.)

[Go to List of Contents] [Start of Section 5—Verbs]

Tasks—Working with ‘-le’ in the Past Tense

5.2.2.1 Task 5.2.2.1

Translate using:-

Verbs listed (5.1),

Past tense bases (5.2.1), and

‘-le’ rules (5.2.2)

1. garnu ; ma garẽ ; mêle tyo garẽ

2. paḍḫ`nu ; ma paḍḫẽ ;

3. mêle kitāb paḍḫẽ

4. bujḫnu ; ma bujḫẽ

5. mêle kurā bujḫẽ

6. dḫunu ; ma dḫoẽ ; mêle tyo dḫoẽ

7. garāunu ; ma garāẽ

8. mêle kām garāẽ

Answers:-

1. to do; I did; I did this

2. to read; I read (did read);

3. I read (did read) the book

4. to understand ; I understood ;

5. I understood the subject matter

6. to wash; I washed; I washed it

7. to cause to be done ; I caused to be done ;

8. I got [the] work done

5.2.2.2 Task 5.2.2.2

Translate using:-

Verbs listed (5.1),

Past tense bases (5.2.1), and

‘-le’ rules (5.2.2)

1. to come; I came

2. to go; I went

3. to cause to hear; I caused to be heard

4. I proclaimed good news

Answers:-

1. āunu ; ma āẽ

2. jānu ; ma gaẽ

3. sunāunu ; ma sunāẽ

4. ma susamācār sunāẽ

5.2.3—Simple Past Tense Verb Endings (Affirmative)—garnu

… did

I ma garẽ

you L tã garis`

you M timī garyô

he, she LN ū garyo (m) garī (f)

he, she LF ū garyo (m) garī (f)

he, she MN yinī garyo (m) garī (f)

he MF unī / tinī garyo (m)

she MF unī / tinī garī (f)

this, it N yo garyo (m) garī (f)

that, it F tyo garyo (m) garī (f)

you H tapāī͂ garnubḫayo

he, she HN yahā͂ garnubḫayo

he, she HF uhā͂ / vahā͂ garnubḫayo

---------:---------

we hāmīharū garyỗ

YOU L -

YOU M timīharū garyô

they LN yī gare

they LF tī gare

they, these MN yinīharū gare

they, these MF unīharū/tinīharū gare

they, these N yī gare

they, those F tī gare

YOU H tapāī͂harū garnubḫayo

they, these HN yahā͂harū garnubḫayo

they, those HF uhā͂harū/vahā͂harū garnubḫayo

L=Low; M=Medium; H=High/Honorific; N=Near; F=Far

5.2.4—Simple Past Tense Verb Endings (Negative)—garnu

… did not do

I ma garinã

you L tã garinas`

you M timī garenô

he, she LN ū garena (m) garina (f)

he, she LF ū garena (m) garina (f)

he MN yinī garenan` (m)

she MN yinī garinan` (f)

he MF unī / tinī garenan` (m)

she MF unī / tinī garinan` (f)

this, it N yo garena (m) garina (f)

that, it F tyo garena (m) garina (f)

you H tapāī͂ garnubḫaena

he, she HN yahā͂ garnubḫaena

he, she HF uhā͂ / vahā͂ garnubḫaena

---------:---------

we hāmīharū garenỗ

YOU L -

YOU M timīharū garenô

they LN yī garenan`

they LF tī garenan`

they, these MN yinīharū garenan`

they, these MF unīharū garenan`

tinīharū garenan`

they, these N yī garenan`

they, those F tī garenan`

YOU H tapāī͂harū garnubḫaena

they, these HN yahā͂harū garnubḫaena

they, those HF uhā͂harū garnubḫaena

vahā͂harū garnubḫaena

L=Low; M=Medium; H=High/Honorific; N=Near; F=Far

5.2.5—Tasks—Past Tense of Regular Verbs Like garnu

5.2.5.1—Task 5.2.5.1

Translate using:-

Verbs list (5.1)

Past tense bases (5.2.1)

‘-le’ rules (5.2.2)

Past Affirmative verb endings (5.2.3) and

Past Negative verb endings (5.2.4):-

1. garnu ; ma garẽ ; ma garinã

2. paḍḫ`nu ; ma paḍḫẽ

3. ma paḍḫinã ; mêle kitāb paḍḫẽ

4. dḫunu ; ū dḫoyo

5. ūle tyo dḫoyo ; ūle tyo dḫoena

6. jānu ; unī gayo ; unī gayenan`

7. āunu ; timī āyô

8. timī āundê chô ; timī āenô

Answers:-

1. to do; I did; I did not

2. to read; I did read

3. I did not read ; I did read the book

4. to wash; he (L) washed

5. he (L) washed it ; he (L) did not wash it

6. to go ; he [/she] (M) went ; he (M) did not go

7. to come; you (M) came

8. you (M) are coming; you (M) did not come

5.2.5.2—Task 5.2.5.2

Translate:-

1. bujḫnu ; timī bujḫyô

2. timī bujḫenô ?

3. calnu ; yo calyo

4. yo calena

5. calāunu ; ma calāẽ

6. ma calāinã

Answers:-

1. to understand ; you understood

2. Did you not understand?

3. to move; it (N) moved

4. It (N) did not move

5. to cause to move [/to drive]; I drove

6. I did not drive

5.2.5.3—Task 5.2.5.3

Translate:-

1. to say; you (H) said

2. You (H) did not say

3. to know; I knew

4. I did not know the answer

5. to go ; he [/she] (M) went

6. He [/she] (M) did not go

Answers:-

1. bḫannu ; tapāī͂ bḫannubḫayo

2. tapāī͂ bḫannubḫaena

3. jānnu ; ma jānẽ

4. mêle javāph jāninã

5. jānu ; unī gayo

6. unī gaenan`

5.2.5.4—Task 5.2.5.4

Translate:-

1. garnu ; hāmīharū gayỗ

2. hāmīharū gayenỗ

3. paḍḫ`nu ; timīharū paḍḫ`yô

4. timīharūle kitāb paḍḫ`enỗ

5. dḫunu ; yī dḫoe

6. yasle tyo dḫoenan`

7. jānu ; unīharū gae

8. unīharū gaenan`

9. āunu ; tapāī͂harū āũnubḫayo

10. tapāī͂harū āũnubḫaena

Answers:-

1. to do; we went

2. We did not go

3. to read; YOU read (did read)

4. YOU did not read the book

5. to wash; they (L) washed

6. They (L) did not wash it

7. to go ; they (M) went

8. They (M) did not go

9. to come; YOU (H) came

10. YOU (H) did not come

5.2.5.5—Task 5.2.5.5

Translate the answers at Tasks 5.2.5.1 to 5.2.5.4 into the other language.

[Go to List of Contents] [Start of Section 5—Verbs]

5.2.6—Past Tense of ‘hunu’ (to be), Development or Situation

The verb ‘hunu’—‘to be’ has two forms in the habitual past. One describes a situation (or condition). The other reports a development in which the subject happened or became something.

1. A change or development happened or was completed

ma bisanco bḫaẽ—I became ill.

ma śikṣak bḫaẽ—I became a teacher

2. A situation existed

ma bisanco tḫiẽ—I was ill

ma yahā͂ tḫiẽ—I was here.

5.2.7—Simple Past Tense Verb Endings (Affirmative)—hunu