Verbs in Vrkhazhian

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Vrkhazhian verbs are called madsiṟud (singular madsiṟu). Because Vrkhazhian is a triconsonantal root language, the fundamental part of the verb form is the transfix, a discontinuous affix inserted between a root (which is collectively called masčišu and translated as "pattern"), though they primarily only convey the grammatical voices (active, passive, causative, and reflexive). There are five tenses (past, past progressive, present, present progressive, and future) and these are indicated by prefixes attached to the base form. There is only one aspect: the perfect, called saẕkeru, which is indicated by reduplicating the entire verb. Additionally, there are also five moods (indicative, jussive, subjunctive, commissive, and propositive) and these are also indicated by prefix, placed closer to the base form than the tense prefixes. Lastly, verbs are also conjugated for number, singular and plural, with the plural indicated by the suffix -am.

When referring to a particular verb pattern, they are referred to by a derivation of the canonical (exemplary) verb d-s-ṟ (to do, to perform, to execute, to act). For example, when referring to the verb pattern of the citation form of a verb, which is the active present singular indicative, it is called d-s-ṟ because that is the active present singular form of the verb.

Verb patterns

The table below shows the conjugation of the root d-s-ṟ (to do, to act):

Verb Conjugations
Active Singular Active Plural Translation Passive Singular Passive Plural Translation
Infinitive ʾedsaṟṟu to do ʾedseṟṟi to be done
Past Simple nudsaṟ nudsaṟam did nidseṟ nidseṟam was done
Past Prog. yočdan yodsaṟam was doing yedseṟ yedseṟam was being done
Present Simple dusaṟ dusṟam do daseṟ dasṟam is done
Present Prog. hudsaṟ hudsuṟam is doing hidseṟ hidseṟam is being done
Future ʾadsaṟ ʾadsaṟam will do ʾidseṟ ʾidseṟam will be done
Verb Conjugations
Active Singular Active Plural Translation
Infinitive lodsaṟṟu to do oneself
Past Simple nuldosaṟ nuldosṟam did oneself
Past Progressive yoldosaṟ yoldosṟam was doing oneself
Present Simple lodsaṟ lodsaṟam do oneself
Present Progressive huldosaṟ huldosṟam is doing oneself
Future ʾaldosaṟ ʾaldosṟam will do oneself

The genitive pronouns are also used to indicate the subject of a verb in a reflexive construction.

Verb moods

Vrkhazhian has five moods other than the indicative mood: jussive, conditional, subjunctive, commissive, and propositive. The table below shows the present tense of the verb s-b-b (to kill)

Verb Mood
Active Singular Active Plural Translation Passive Singular Passive Plural Translation
Jussive wisbab wisbabam have to kill wisbeb wisbebam have to be killed
Conditional mosbab mosbabam would kill mesbeb mesbebam would be killed
Subjunctive bisbab bisbabam may kill bisbeb bisbebam may be killed
Commissive ḵastubab ḵastubbam promise to kill ḵestabeb ḵestabbam promise to be killed
Propositive mimsubab mimsubbam should kill mimsabeb mimsabbam should be killed
  • The jussive mood is mainly used for expressing obligation or duty, but when there are no subject pronouns or nouns in, it functions as the imperative, expressing direct commands to the adressee(s).
  • The conditional mood expresses a hypothetical situation, that is dependent on another set of circumstances.
  • The subjunctive mood expresses hypothetical actions or situations, usually in that-clauses.
  • The commissive mood expresses a commitment to do something, like a promise or threat.
  • The propositive mood express suggestions or propositions.
Weak Verbs

Verbs are considered weak if they contain a hollow consonant (called ʾahaẏwud).