Verbs in Vrkhazhian
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):
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 |
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)
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).