The sun shines.
| Ulu
|
pas-o.
|
| sun
|
shine-3s.AN
|
The sun is shining.
| Olu
|
pas-oĭa
|
puf-i.
|
| sun
|
shine-PTCP
|
be-3s.AN
|
The sun shone.
The sun will shine.
The sun has been shining.
| Olu
|
pas-o
|
iaĭ.
|
| sun
|
shine-3s.AN
|
continuously
|
The sun is shining again.
| Olu
|
pas-o
|
tuka.
|
| sun
|
shine-3s.AN
|
again
|
The sun will shine tomorrow.
| Olu
|
pas-epe
|
astoku.
|
| sun
|
shine.3s.AN.FUT
|
tomorrow
|
The sun shines brightly.
| Olu
|
pas-o
|
pasetu-lo.
|
| sun
|
shine-3s.AN
|
bright-AUG
|
The bright sun shines.
| Olu
|
pasetu-lo
|
pas-o.
|
| sun
|
bright-AUG
|
shine-3s.AUG
|
The sun is rising now.
| Olu
|
soup-aĭa
|
puf-i
|
pu.
|
| sun
|
rise.PTCP
|
be.3s.AN
|
now
|
All the people shouted.
| Uko
|
kart́a
|
ilon-ile.
|
| all
|
person
|
shout-3PAU.AN.PST
|
| kart́a-ńa (person-PL) can be used, too.
|
Some of the people shouted.
| Uso
|
kart́a
|
ilon-ire.
|
| Some
|
person
|
shout-3PAU.AN.PST
|
| kart́a-ru (person-PAU) can be used, too.
|
Many of the people shouted twice.
| Ańe
|
kart́a-ru
|
ki
|
teto
|
ilon-ire.
|
| many
|
person-PAU
|
two
|
instance
|
shout-3PAU.AN.PST
|
Happy people often shout.
| Toa
|
kart́a-ńa
|
ilon-oĭa
|
tia
|
tues-ole.
|
| Happy
|
person-PL
|
shout-PTCP
|
sometimes
|
do.habitually-3PL.AN
|
The kitten jumped up.
| Umili
|
seles-oe
|
piraĭ.
|
| kitten
|
jump-3s.AN.PST
|
upwards
|
The kitten jumped onto the table.
| Umili
|
seles-oe
|
sono
|
ikireta.
|
| kitten
|
jump-3s.AN.PST
|
onto
|
table
|
My little kitten walked away.
It's raining.
| Uĭlo
|
toon-ole.
|
| rain
|
come-3AN.PL
|
The rain came down.
| Uĭlo
|
toon-ile
|
piruĭ.
|
| rain
|
come-3AN.PL.PST
|
down
|
The kitten is playing in the rain.
| Umili
|
fut-i
|
oĭl-uĭlo.
|
| kitten
|
play-3s.AN
|
LOC-rain
|
The rain has stopped.
| Uĭlo
|
asam-i
|
pu.
|
| rain
|
stop-3s.AN
|
now
|
Soon the rain will stop.
| Uĭlo
|
asam-iu
|
oĺa.
|
| rain
|
stop-3s.AN.FUT
|
soon
|
I hope the rain stops soon.
| Husa
|
siuf-e
|
iki
|
uĭlo
|
asam-iu
|
oĺa.
|
| 1s
|
hope-1s
|
that
|
rain
|
stop.3s.AN.FUT
|
soon
|
Once wild animals lived here.
| Kala
|
oĭoki
|
puf-ila
|
eloĭ
|
oĭl-śi.
|
| animal
|
wild
|
be-3s.AN.PL.PST
|
DET.this
|
LOC-place
|
Slowly she looked around.
| Uĺkopa
|
teom-io
|
peĭaĺśe.
|
| full
|
look.3s.PST
|
slow
|
Go away!
| If pu precedes a bare verb, it denotes the imperative (command) mood.
|
| eloĭ may be omitted if the place in question is obvious to the listener.
|
Let's go!
| puf is optional when an affix encodes movement.
|
You should go.
| Oap-a
|
fi-śi.
|
| should.do-2s
|
ABL-place
|
| Demonstrating how eloĭ is optional.
|
I will be happy to go.
He will arrive soon.
| Puf-iu
|
eloĭ
|
saĭ-śi
|
oĺa.
|
| be-3s.FUT
|
DET.this
|
LAT-place
|
soon
|
The baby's ball has rolled away.
The two boys are working together.
| Kulo-ki
|
sonim-aĭa
|
puf-iro
|
aĭk-eloĭ-ki.
|
| boy-DU
|
work-PTCT
|
be.3DU.AN
|
COM-DET.them-DU
|
This mist will probably clear away.
| Kusuo
|
asam-iu
|
pokiko.
|
| mist
|
end-3s.AN.FUT
|
probable
|
Lovely flowers are growing everywhere.
| Suĭtu-ńa
|
antali-lo
|
oas-ala
|
uko
|
śi.
|
| flower-PL
|
beautiful-AUG
|
grow-3PL.INAN
|
all
|
place
|
We should eat more slowly.
| Oap-eĭ
|
oes-oĭa
|
peĭaĺśe-moĭ-o.
|
| should-1PAU.IN
|
eat-PTCP
|
slow-COMP-AUG
|
You have come too soon.
| When a past-tense verb is followed by the present-tense puf, it indicates the present perfect.
|
You must write more neatly.
| Tuksun-oĭa
|
saśim-a
|
tatumo-moĭ-lo.
|
| write.PTCP
|
must.do-2s
|
careful-COMP-AUG
|
Directly opposite stands a wonderful palace.
| Iam-omo
|
siĺao-su
|
enopo-so
|
iki
|
tamese
|
śit́ami
|
ium-omo.
|
| seem-3s.INAN
|
stern
|
bow-DAT
|
CONJ.ADV
|
wonderful
|
palace
|
stand.3s.INAN
|
| iamomo siĺaosu enoposo is a metaphor roughly meaning "as the stern is to the bow".
|
Henry's dog is lost.
| Opo-Henry
|
pei
|
puf-i
|
oĭl-topou.
|
| GEN-Henry
|
dog
|
be-3s.AN
|
LOC-unknown
|
| puf is optional when an affix encodes location.
|
My cat is black.
| Op-usa
|
umu
|
puf-i
|
uĭmu.
|
| GEN-1s
|
cat
|
be-3s.AN
|
black
|
The little girl's doll is broken.
| Opo-kusa
|
aki
|
karaki
|
ekaf-aĭa
|
puf-ofo.
|
| GEN-girl
|
little
|
doll
|
break-PTCP
|
be-3s.INAN
|
I usually sleep soundly.
| Husa
|
saas-oĭa
|
tia-lo
|
tues-e.
|
| 1s
|
sleep-PTCP
|
sometimes-AUG
|
do.habitually-1s
|
| Husa is optional, but would most likely be said here for clarity.
|
The children ran after Jack.
I can play after school.
| Fut-oĭa
|
pen-eke
|
t́it́i
|
santus-oĭa.
|
| play.PTCP
|
can-1s.FUT
|
after
|
teach-PTCP
|
We went to the village for a visit.
We arrived at the river.
| Using puf would translate as "we went to the river" and require the lative case.
|
I have been waiting for you.
| The first form would be used by a superior to an underling. The latter from an underling to a superior. In other cases, either could be used.
|
The campers sat around the fire.
| Fin-oĭa
|
kart́a-ru
|
osan-ire
|
sasapeti
|
halo.
|
| travel.PTCP
|
person-PAU
|
sit-2PAU.AN.PST
|
around
|
fire
|
| Lacking a word for "camper", the language would use the type of person who would camp out: travelers.
|
A little girl with a kitten sat near me.
| Kusa
|
aki
|
aĭk-umili
|
osan-oe
|
tasa
|
husa.
|
| girl
|
little
|
COM-kitten
|
sit-3s.AN.PST
|
near
|
1s
|
The child waited at the door for her father.
| Eme
|
akiś-oe
|
oĭl-t́otoĭ
|
paĭ
|
o-tahi
|
ańa.
|
| child
|
wait.3s.AN.PST
|
LOC-door
|
for
|
GEN-3s
|
father
|
Yesterday the oldest girl in the village lost her kitten.
Were you born in this village?
| Tali
|
suaĭn-oe
|
eloĭ
|
oĭl-toĭka?
|
| where
|
born.2s.PST
|
DET.this
|
LOC-village
|
| The interrogative pronoun can be omitted, with intonation alone indicating that it's a question. The pronoun always matches the information being requested.
|
Can your brother dance well?
| Pali
|
o-pepa
|
akasa
|
haĭf-i
|
ufa?
|
| how
|
GEN-2s
|
brother
|
dance-3s
|
well
|
Did the man leave?
| Tali
|
aluko
|
eloĭ
|
fi-śi?
|
| where
|
man
|
DET.this
|
ABL-place
|
Is your sister coming for you?
| Pali
|
o-pepa
|
akasa
|
saĭ-śi
|
paĭ
|
pepa?
|
| how
|
GEN-2s
|
sister
|
LAT-place
|
for
|
you
|
| The pronoun used can reveal why the question is being asked. Here, they are asking how you are leaving, as opposed to who you are leaving with (why not me?), when you are leaving (is it going to be a while?) or even why it's happening (is your sister making you leave?) The most polite pronoun is what, asking if the event being described will happen.
|
Can you come tomorrow?
| Pepa
|
salo
|
saĭ-śi
|
astoku?
|
| 2s
|
what
|
LAT-place
|
tomorrow
|
| The interrogative pronoun precedes a regular noun, but follows a personal pronoun.
|
Have the neighbors gone away for the winter?
| Salo
|
foatia-ki
|
fi-śi
|
paĭ
|
tarhuĭa?
|
| what
|
neighbor-DU
|
ABL-place
|
for
|
winter
|
Does the robin sing in the rain?
| Salo
|
posko-pu
|
si
|
palaku
|
ia
|
totof-ilo
|
oĭl-uĭlo?
|
| what
|
bird-NOM
|
with
|
chest
|
red
|
sing-3AN.PL
|
LOC-rain
|
| When talking about a generic noun, the noun receives the basic nominative suffix without any number marker, but the verb takes the 3rd person plural. (The language lacks a word for 'robin', hence 'bird with red chest'.) This becomes optional when the genericness is implied via quantity adjectives like 'all' or 'many'.
|
Are you going with us to the concert?
Have you ever travelled in the jungle?
| Uli
|
fin-oe
|
oĭl-t́au
|
tinta?
|
| when
|
travel.2s.PST
|
LOC-forest
|
hot
|
| As usual, the personal pronoun is optional.
|
We sailed down the river for several miles.
| Suik-utoĭ
|
piruĭ
|
ose
|
t́it́i
|
too-ru.
|
| sail-1PL.EX.PST
|
downstream
|
river
|
for
|
mile-PAU
|
Everybody knows about hunting.
| Uko
|
kart́a
|
aof-ilo
|
paĭ
|
ulan-oĭa.
|
| All
|
person
|
know-3PL.AN
|
about
|
hunt-PTCP
|
On a sunny morning after the solstice we started for the mountains.
| Aĭk-toso
|
olu-lo
|
t́it́i
|
aakulo
|
iki
|
utis-ati
|
saĭ-ome-ńa.
|
| COM-morning
|
sun-AUG
|
after
|
summer.solstice
|
CONJ.ADV
|
start-1PAU.EX.PST
|
LAT-mountain-PL
|
Tom laughed at the monkey's tricks.
| Tom
|
iah-io
|
paĭ
|
opo-kala
|
satuĭke-ru.
|
| Tom
|
laugh-3s.AN.PST
|
at
|
GEN-land.animal
|
game-PAU
|
An old man with a walking stick stood beside the fence.
| Aluko
|
tio
|
aĭk-sestaka
|
ium-io
|
oplo
|
t́at́io
|
| man
|
old
|
COM-walking.stick
|
stand-3s.AN.PST
|
beside
|
fence
|
The squirrel's nest was hidden by drooping boughs.
| Op-iuĭt́io
|
pikaĭla
|
aĺas-ese
|
um-atofa-pu
|
śuim-aĭa.
|
| GEN-squirrel
|
nest
|
hide.3s.INAN.PST
|
INS-branch-NOM
|
go.down-PTCP
|
| The nominative suffix is used mostly for passive-voice constructions such as the above. Alternately or additionally, nest could be marked with the dative suffix.
|
The little seeds waited patiently under the snow for the warm spring sun.
| Sea-ńa
|
aki
|
akiś-ili
|
toĺo
|
keĭa
|
pakasa
|
paĭ
|
ulu
|
enatoĭ
|
taoto.
|
| seed-PL
|
little
|
wait-3PL.INAN.PST
|
patiently
|
under
|
snow
|
for
|
sun
|
spring
|
warm
|
Many little girls with wreaths of flowers on their heads danced around the bonfire.
| Ańe
|
kusa-ńa
|
aki
|
aĭk-kat́asuĭtu
|
sono
|
śaa
|
haĭf-ila
|
sasapeti
|
haloeteo
|
| many
|
girl-PL
|
little
|
COM-wreath.of.flowers
|
on top
|
head
|
dance-3a.AN.PL
|
around
|
bonfire
|
The cover of the basket fell to the floor.
The first boy in the line stopped at the entrance.
| Huka
|
kulo
|
oĭl-tupaĭa
|
akiś-oe
|
oĭl-saĭ-potus.
|
| first
|
boy
|
LOC-line
|
stop-3s.AN.PST
|
LOC-LAT-place
|
On the top of the hill in a little hut lived a wise old woman.
| Oĭl-upire-lo
|
sono
|
t́o
|
iki
|
puf-io
|
atipa
|
asuka-pu
|
tio.
|
| LOC-house-DIM
|
on.top.of
|
hill
|
CONJ.ADV
|
be-3s.AN.PST
|
wise
|
woman-NOM
|
old
|
During our residence in the country we often walked in the pastures.
When will your guests from the city arrive?
| Op-esa
|
uli
|
torteno-ru
|
eloĭ
|
saĭ-śi
|
iki
|
fi-toĭka-lo?
|
| GEN-2s.FORM
|
when
|
guest-PAU
|
this
|
GEN-place
|
that.are
|
ABL-town-AUG
|
Near the mouth of the river, its course turns sharply towards the East.
| Tasa
|
op-ose
|
pai,
|
o-tahi
|
finiśi
|
atań-o
|
poto
|
saĭ-kuĭu.
|
| near
|
GEN-river
|
mouth
|
GEN-it.AN
|
course
|
turn-3s.AN
|
sharp
|
LAT-east
|
Between the two lofty mountains lay a fertile valley.
| T́afoa
|
ome-ki
|
isea
|
iki
|
kam-imi
|
hapitutaĭ
|
kirampati.
|
| between
|
mountain-DU
|
lofty
|
CONJ.ADV
|
be.3s.INAN.PST
|
fertile
|
valley
|
Among the wheat grew tall red poppies.
The strong roots of the oak trees were torn from the ground.
| A sentence without an agent can only use the dative suffix to show the passive voice.
|
The sun looked down through the branches upon the children at play.
| Ulu
|
teom-io
|
piruĭ
|
foĭ-atofa-ru
|
sono
|
fut-oĭa
|
eme-ru.
|
| Sun
|
look-3s.AN.PST
|
down
|
PER-branch-PAU
|
upon
|
play-PTCP
|
child-PAU
|
The west wind blew across my face like a friendly caress.
| Koa
|
okuĭ
|
ataf-io
|
op-usa
|
foĭ-śari
|
oke
|
as-aleĭso
|
teĭoś-oĭa.
|
| west
|
wind
|
blow-3s.INAN.PST
|
GEN-1s
|
PER-face
|
like
|
ADJZ-friend
|
caress-PTCP
|
| The adjectivizing prefix is optional, but often used in similes as above.
|
The spool of thread rolled across the floor.
| Opuo
|
ati
|
suo
|
somus-ese
|
foĭ-tekeĭa.
|
| spool
|
of
|
thread
|
roll-3s.INAN.PST
|
PER-floor
|
| Ati, a shortening of "carry" or "hold", is rarely used. Suo opuo is a more standard form.
|
A box of growing plants stood in the Window.
| Tatoimo
|
ati
|
oas-oĭa
|
oĭomo-ru
|
osan-oe
|
oĭl-ako.
|
| box
|
of
|
grow-PTCP
|
plant-PAU
|
sit-3s.INAN.PST
|
LOC-window
|
| Large objects like houses stand. Smaller objects only sit.
|
I am very happy.
| Puf-e
|
toa-lo.
|
| be-1s
|
happy-AUG
|
These oranges are juicy.
| Eloĭ
|
tao-ru
|
śaĭsu
|
tafem-oro
|
uĭtamu-lo.
|
| this
|
fruit-PAU
|
brown/orange
|
have.3PAU.INAN
|
juice-AUG
|
Sea water is salty.
| Uĭtese
|
tafem-omo
|
se.
|
| Saltwater
|
have-3PAU.INAN
|
salt
|
| The word for saltwater is also used for the ocean. The difference is that the ocean takes the animate gender!
|
The streets are full of people.
| Oset́ala-ńa
|
puf-ilo
|
uĺkopa
|
ati
|
kart́a-ńa.
|
| street-PL
|
be.3PL.AN
|
full
|
of
|
person-PL
|
| The word for street is based on the word for river, and therefore takes its animate gender.
|
Sugar tastes sweet.
| Tipaĭ
|
soĭs-o
|
pupaĭ.
|
| sugar
|
taste-3s.INAN
|
sweet
|
The fire feels hot.
| Halo
|
tafem-i
|
tinta.
|
| fire
|
has-3s.AN
|
hot
|
The little girl seemed lonely.
| Kusa
|
aki
|
iam-io
|
hulo.
|
| girl
|
little
|
seem-3s.AN.PST
|
lonely
|
The little boy's father had once been a sailor.
| When a past-tense verb is followed by the past-tense puf, it indicates the past perfect.
|
I have lost my blanket.
A robin has built his nest in the apple tree.
| posko-pu
|
aĭk-palaku
|
ia
|
tiś-oe
|
o-tahi
|
oĭl-t́io
|
hisi.
|
| bird
|
COM-chest
|
red
|
make-3s.AN.PST
|
GEN-3s.AN
|
LOC-tree
|
apple
|
At noon we ate our lunch by the roadside.
Mr. Jones made a knife for his little boy.
Their voices sound very happy.
Is today Monday?
| Uli
|
apape
|
kam-i
|
Monday?
|
| when
|
today
|
be-3s.AN
|
Monday?
|
| I don't have words for days of the week just yet.
|
Have all the leaves fallen from the tree?
Will you be ready on time?
| When a past-tense verb is followed by the future-tense puf, it indicates the future perfect. (Yes, even when the other verb is also puf!) Oĭlt́aĭ, literally "in the time of correctness", is used to mean "on time".
|
Will you send this message for me?
| Seĭoń-u
|
ikeuk-uku
|
eloĭ
|
karau?
|
| request-2s
|
send-2s.FUT
|
this
|
message
|
| Seĭoń indicates the action requested is for the speaker, unless specified otherwise immediately afterward (such as, "Seĭońu esBob ikeukuku eloĭ karau?", which would indicate the request is from Bob). The following verb is almost always in future-tense, though it might be in present-tense if the request is an immediate command.
|
Are you waiting for me?
Is this the first kitten of the litter?
| Kam-i
|
eloĭ
|
huka
|
umili
|
uso
|
asasa?
|
| be-3s.INAN
|
this
|
first
|
kitten
|
of
|
litter
|
Are these shoes too big for you?
| Eloĭ
|
sauĭ-ki
|
kam-a
|
takeĭ-lo
|
paĭ
|
pepa?
|
| this
|
shoe-DU
|
be-2s
|
too-AUG
|
for
|
2s
|
How wide is the River?
| Salo
|
toaĭ
|
oĭl-ose
|
kam-i?
|
| what
|
width
|
LOC-river
|
be-3s.AN
|
Listen.
| Pu
|
ioĭs-i.
|
| now.IMP
|
listen-2s
|
Sit here by me.
| Pu
|
osan-i
|
śi
|
oplo
|
husa.
|
| now.IMP
|
sit-2s
|
place
|
by
|
me
|
Keep this secret until tomorrow.
| Eloĭ
|
kaman-i
|
puf-aĭa
|
impolo
|
aani
|
astoku.
|
| this
|
keep-2s
|
be-PTCP
|
secret
|
until
|
tomorrow
|
| Pu can be omitted for polite requests and when the context makes the imperative mood obvious.
|
Come with us.
Bring your friends with you.
Be careful.
| Pu
|
aeń-u
|
tatumo.
|
| now.IMP
|
care-2s
|
carefully
|
Have some tea.
| Aiś-e
|
pefaĭ-ru.
|
| offer-1s
|
tea-PAU
|
| The plural is often used as a shorthand for the entirety of something, with the paucal denoting a portion of that. Uso pefaĭ is also acceptable. If the subject of the offer isn't clear from the context, the correct pronoun (or name) can be prepended before the verb.
|
Pip and his dog were great friends.
| Pip
|
aĭ
|
o-tahi
|
pei
|
kam-uru
|
ufa-lo
|
aleĭso-ki.
|
| Pip
|
and
|
GEN-3s
|
dog
|
be-3DU.PST
|
good-AUG
|
friend-DU
|
| It is common to use kam instead of puf to denote the permanence of the friendship.
|
John and Elizabeth are brother and sister.
| John
|
aĭ
|
Elizabeth
|
kam-ara
|
akasa-ki.
|
| John
|
and
|
Elizabeth
|
be-3DU
|
sibling-DU
|
You and I will go together.
| Pepa aĭkusa finekuĭ is also acceptable, denoting separateness before joining together.
|
They opened all the doors and windows.
| Kukof-ira
|
uko
|
t́otoĭ-ńa
|
aĭ
|
ako-ńa.
|
| open-3PAU.PST
|
all
|
door-PL
|
and
|
window-PL
|
| The plural markers are optional (or might be traded for paucal or dual suffixes).
|
He is small, but strong.
| Kam-a
|
aki,
|
ieĭ
|
koĭmeĭ.
|
| be-3s
|
small
|
but
|
strong
|
Is this tree an oak or a maple?
| Salo
|
t́io
|
kam-omo
|
t́ukea
|
a
|
t́uśaĭ?
|
| what
|
tree
|
be-3s.INAN
|
oak
|
or
|
maple
|
Does the sky look blue or gray?
| Kompu
|
iam-i
|
tioto
|
a
|
oksomse?
|
| sky
|
seem-3s.AN
|
cyan.blue
|
or
|
gray
|
| Takuni is a dark shade of blue, like navy or cobalt. Tioto is lighter, like cyan or sky blue.
|
Come with your father or mother.
| The possessive pronoun can be distributed across and/or clauses, or you can apply it to both nouns separately: opepa aĭkańa o opepa aĭkaorma.
|
I am tired, but very happy.
| Puf-e
|
aĺpa,
|
ieĭ
|
toa-lo.
|
| be-1s
|
tired
|
but
|
happy-AUG.
|
He played a tune on his wonderful flute.
| Touĭn-oe
|
sorio
|
tamese
|
umu-tiatei.
|
| play-3s.AN.PST
|
tune
|
wonderful
|
INS-flute
|
Toward the end of August the days grow much shorter.
A company of soldiers marched over the hill and across the meadow.
| Haokarśiso
|
aĭkses-oe
|
foĭ-t́o
|
aĭ
|
foĭ-tite.
|
| company.of.soldiers
|
march-3s.PST
|
PER-hill
|
and
|
PER-meadow
|
| Note that haokarśiso is considered singular.
|
The first part of the story is very interesting.
| Huka
|
om-uso
|
ta
|
koĭasu
|
kam-omo
|
uĭlsi-lo.
|
| first
|
NMZ-part
|
in
|
story
|
be-3s.INAN
|
interesting-AUG
|
The crow dropped some pebbles into the pitcher and raised the water to the brim.
| Aheu
|
śuĭrim-io
|
uso
|
t́akoa-li
|
saĭ-tatio
|
aĭ
|
śaĭrim-io
|
uĭte
|
saĭ-kata
|
piraĭ.
|
| crow
|
drop-3s.PST
|
some
|
rock-DIM
|
LAT-pitcher
|
and
|
raise-3s.PST
|
water
|
LAT-edge
|
upper
|
The baby clapped her hands and laughed in glee.
| Iahio aĭkomotoalo would also be correct, but aĭk- is usually reserved for physical things.
|
