Ancient Kartara/Examples

< Ancient Kartara
Revision as of 05:23, 15 June 2017 by Jason (talk | contribs) (Correcting dative from direct to indirect object!; adding subject/agent to nominative, direct object/patient to accusative)

The apple is red.

Hisi kam-omo ia.
apple be-3s.INAN red

It is John's apple.

Puf-ofo opo-Iono hisi.
be-3s.INAN GEN-John apple

I give John the apple.

Ket-e Iono hisi.
give-1s John apple

We want to give him the apple.

Kepis-u ket-oĭa tahi hisi.
want-1DU.EX give-PTCP 3s.AN apple

He gives it to John.

Ket-o kafa Iono-so.
give-3s.AN 3s.INAN John-DAT

She gives it to him.

Ket-o kafa tahi-so.
give-3s.AN 3s.INAN 3s.AN-DAT

The sun shines.

Ulu pas-o.
sun shine-3s.AN

The sun is shining.

Olu puf-i pas-oĭa.
sun be-3s.AN shine-PTCP
This is considered an awkward phrasing, but it can be used to emphasize the verb being turned into a participle. Ulo paso suffices for most situations.

The sun shone.

Olu pas-eo.
sun shine-3s.AN.PST

The sun will shine.

Olu pas-epe.
sun shine-3s.AN.FUT

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
Most adjectives also function as adverbs.

The bright sun shines.

Olu pasetu-lo pas-o.
sun bright-AUG shine-3s.AUG
Ancient Kartara has a tricky adjective system, where most temporary or emotional properties precede the noun (this, 2nd, ugly) while more concrete physical properties follow it (red, old, Reemish).

The sun is rising now.

Olu soup-i pu.
sun rise-3s.AN now

All the people shouted.

Uko kart́a ilon-ile.
all person shout-3PL.AN.PST
kart́ańa (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 ilon-ire ki teto.
many person-PAU shout-3PAU.AN.PST two instance

Happy people often shout.

Toa kart́a-ńa tues-ole. tia ilon-oĭa
Happy person-PL do.habitually-3PL.AN sometimes shout-PTCP
Tues- tia (lit. "always do something, sometimes") translates to "often does" and is followed by the participle form of another verb.

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
The (ab)lative case is not needed when a preposition encodes movement.

My little kitten walked away.

Op-usa umili-li ses-oe eloĭ fi-śi.
GEN-1s kitten-DIM walk-3s.AN.PST DET.this ABL-place

It's raining.

Uĭlo toon-ole.
rain come-3PL.AN

The rain came down.

Uĭlo toon-ile piruĭ.
rain come-3PL.AN.PST down

The kitten is playing in the rain.

Umili puf-i fut-oĭa oĭl-uĭlo.
kitten be-3s.AN play-PTCP 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
Oĺa iki uĭlo asam-iu.
soon CONJ.ADV rain stop-3s.AN.FUT
Iki can be used to front an adverbial clause, as in the second example.

I hope the rain stops soon.

Husa siuf-e iki uĭlo asam-iu oĺa.
1s hope-1s that rain stop.3s.AN.FUT soon
Husa is optional.

Once wild animals lived here.

Kala oĭoki puf-ila eloĭ oĭl-śi.
animal wild be-3PL.AN.PST DET.this LOC-place

Slowly she looked around.

Uĺkopa teom-io peĭaĺśe.
full look.3s.PST slow
Peĭaĺśe iki uĺkopa teom-io.
slow CONJ.ADV full look-3s.PST

Go away!

Pu puf-a eloĭ fi-śi.
now.IMP be-2s DET.this ABL-place
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!

Pu aĭkuańa eloĭ fi-śi.
now.IMP 1PL.IN DET.this ABL-place
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.

Es-puf-eke eloĭ fi-śi.
BEN.FORM-be-1s.FUT DET.this ABL-place

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.

Opo-seaĭ sou somus-ese fi-śi.
GEN-baby ball roll-3s.INAN.PST ABL-place

The two boys are working together.

Kulo-ki sonim-aĭa puf-iro aĭk-eloĭ-ki.
boy-DU work-PTCP 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.

Toon-oe puf-a takeĭ oĺa.
come.2s.PST PERF.2s too soon
When a past-tense verb is followed by the present-tense puf, it indicates the present perfect.

You must write more neatly.

Saśim-a tuksun-oĭa tatumo-moĭ-lo.
must.do-2s write.PTCP careful-COMP-AUG

Directly opposite stands a wonderful palace.

Iam-omo siĺao enopo-so iki tamese śit́ami ium-omo.
seem-3s.INAN stern bow-DAT CONJ.ADV wonderful palace stand.3s.INAN
iamomo siĺao 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
People and other animate objects don't use the -li or -lo suffixes to denote size.

I usually sleep soundly.

Husa tues-e tia-lo saas-oĭa.
1s do.habitually-1s sometimes-AUG sleep-PTCP
Husa is optional, but would most likely be said here for clarity. Augmenting tia turns tues- tia from "often" to "usually".

The children ran after Jack.

Eme-ru selek-era iuś-oĭa saĭ-Jack.
child-PAU run-3PAU.AN.PST follow-PTCP LAT-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.

Puf-ue saĭ-toĭka um-taĭken-oĭa.
be-1DU.EX.PST LAT-village INS-visit-PTCP

We arrived at the river.

Toon-ue oĭl-ose.
arrive-1DU.EX.PST LOC-river
Using puf would translate as "we went to the river" and require the lative case.

I have been waiting for you.

Akiś-ee puf-e paĭ pepa.
wait-1s.PST PERF.1s for 2s
Es-akiś-ee puf-e.
BEN.FORM-wait-1s.PST PERF-1s
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.

Apopo iki oĭl-toĭka kusa tio-maĭ aĭoĭn-oe o-tahi umili.
Yesterday CONJ.ADV LOC-village girl old-SUPL lose-3s.AN.PST GEN-3s 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-3PL.AN LOC-rain
When talking about a generic noun, the noun receives -pu 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?

Pepa salo saĭ-teto sora si huru?
2s what ABL-event music with 1PAU.EX

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.

Oĭl-toso olu-lo t́it́i aakulo iki utis-ati saĭ-ome-ńa.
LOC-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
Si sestaka is also acceptable, as "man" and "walking stick" don't share the same animacy. However, the comitative prefix is used due to the man being inseparable from the walking stick.

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 -pu suffix is used for passive-voice constructions such as the above to mark the agent. Alternately or additionally, nest could be marked with the suffix -su to mark the patient.

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-3PL.AN around bonfire

The cover of the basket fell to the floor.

Op-atkao onipsa uis-ese saĭ-tekeĭa.
GEN-basket cover fall.3s.IN.PST LAT-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.

Oĭl-puf-ue oĭl-tusuo-ńa iki tues-ue tia ses-oĭa oĭl-aulnuu-ńa.
LOC-be.1DU.EX.PST LOC-farm-PL CONJ.ADV do.habitually-1DU.EX.PST sometimes walk-PTCP LOC-pasture-PL

When will your guests from the city arrive?

Uli op-esa torteno-ru eloĭ saĭ-śi iki fi-toĭka-lo?
when GEN-2s.FORM guest-PAU this GEN-place that.are ABL-town-AUG
Interrogative pronouns do not precede possessive pronouns.

Near the mouth of the river, its course turns sharply towards the East.

Op-ose oĭl-pai tasa iki o-tahi finiśi atań-o poto saĭ-kuĭu.
GEN-river LOC-mouth near CONJ.ADV GEN-3s.AN course turn-3s.AN sharp LAT-east

Between the two lofty mountains lay a fertile valley.

T́afoa ome-ki isea iki hapitutaĭ kirampati kam-imi.
between mountain-DU lofty CONJ.ADV fertile valley be.3s.INAN.PST

Among the wheat grew tall red poppies.

Oĭl-puĭtia iki seĭo-ńa ia isea oas-ili.
LOC-wheat CONJ.ADV poppy-PL red tall grow-3PL.INAN.PST

The strong roots of the oak trees were torn from the ground.

Opo-t́ukea-ńa koĭmeĭ taĭuse-ńa-su sukeĭn -ili fi-t́ala.
GEN-oak-PL strong root-PL-ACC tear.3PL.INAN.PST ABL-ground
A sentence without an agent uses the patient suffix -su 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 as- prefix attaches to a noun and creates an adjective meaning something like or akin to the base noun. It isn't necessary when forming adjectives, but is required when a noun becomes an adverb.

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", can easily be replaced by treating the second noun as a qualitative adjective: suo opuo.

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 kart́a-ńa uĺkopa.
street-PL be.3PL.AN person-PL full
The word for street is based on the word for river, and therefore takes its animate gender. Uĺkopa ati kart́ańa is also acceptable for "full of people".

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
"Feel" in this context usually translates as "have".

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.

Opo-kulo aki ańa kam-io puf-io omo-suik-aĭa.
GEN-boy little father be-3s.AN.PST PERF-3s.AN.PST NMZ-sail-PTCP
When a past-tense verb is followed by the past-tense puf, it indicates the past perfect.

I have lost my blanket.

Aĭoĭn-ee puf-e op-usa aĭot́a.
lose-1s.PST PERF-1s GEN-1s blanket

A robin has built his nest in the apple tree.

Posko si palaku ia tiś-oe o-tahi oĭl-t́io hisi.
bird with chest red make-3s.AN.PST GEN-3s.AN LOC-tree apple

At noon we ate our lunch by the roadside.

Oĭl-tisia iki oes-ue op-uki tielasa oplo hiat́ala.
LOC-noon CONJ.ADV eat-1DU.EX.PST GEN-1DU.EX lunch by roadside

Mr. Jones made a knife for his little boy.

Emokefe Jones tiś-oe op-empi es-kulo aki tiaĭ.
Mr Jones make-3s.AN.PST GEN-3s.AN.FORM BEN-boy little knife
A benefactive precedes the noun it modifies.

Their voices sound very happy.

O-tasaru inaĭo-ru ion-ire toa-lo.
GEN-3PAU.AN voice-PAU seem-3PAU.AN.PST happy-AUG

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?

Uko tano uis-ala puf-olo fi-t́io?
All leaf fall-3PL.INAN.PST PERF-3PL.INAN ABL-tree

Will you be ready on time?

Uli puf-u puf-o taśo oĭl-t́aĭ?
when be-2s.PST PERF-2s.FUT ready LOC-correct
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 or place of correctness", is used to mean both "on time" and "in the right place".

Will you send this message for me?

Seĭoń-e ikeuk-uku eloĭ karau?
request-1s send-2s.FUT this message
Seĭoń indicates the action requested is for the speaker, unless specified otherwise immediately afterward (such as, "Seĭońo 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?

Puf-afe akiś-oĭa paĭ husa?
be-2s.FORM wait-PTCP for 1s

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 aluĭ paĭ pepa?
this shoe-DU be-2s too.much big for 2s
As an opinion, takeĭ always precedes the word it modifies, even when it's an adjective.

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.

Pu fin-i si huru.
now.IMP go-2s with COM-1PAU.EX

Bring your friends with you.

Pepa aĭk-aleĭso-ru saĭ-śi.
2s COM-friend-PAU LAT-place

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 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 Elizabeth kam-ara akasa-ki.
John and Elizabeth be-3DU sibling-DU

You and I will go together.

Aĭkuki fin-ekuĭ.
1DU.IN go-1DU.IN.FUT
Pepa aĭkusa finekuĭ is also acceptable, denoting separateness before joining together.

They opened all the doors and windows.

Kukof-ira uko t́otoĭ-ńa 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. Note that the sky is considered animate.

Come with your father or mother.

Pu toon-ii o-pepa aĭk-ańa o aĭk-aorma.
IMP come-2s.FUT GEN-2s COM-father or COM-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.

Oĭl-asam-aĭa paĭ August iki paso-ńa oak-alo takeĭ.
LOC-stop-PTCP for August CONJ.ADV day-PL shrink-3PL.INAN much

A company of soldiers marched over the hill and across the meadow.

Haokarśiso aĭkses-oe foĭ-t́o 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 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.

Seaĭ talus-oe iah-io si toa-lo.
baby clap-3s.AN.PST and laugh-3s.AN.PST with happy-AUG

Stop your game and be quiet.

Pu akiś-u o-pepa satuĭke tofoas-i.
IMP stop-2s GEN-2s game and be.quiet-2s

The sound of the drums grew louder and louder.

Opo-foru-ru sopio iaĭ puf-iri opoĭo-moĭ-lo opoĭo-moĭ-lo.
GEN-drum-PAU sound IPFV be-3PAU.INAN.PST loud-COMP-AUG and loud-COMP-AUG
Iaĭ, inserted before a verb, denotes the imperfective aspect, such as with incomplete actions.

Do you like summer or winter better?

Eli ipan-oe ufa-moĭ-lo tarhuĭa a hat́upu?
which like-2s good-COMP-AUG winter or summer

That boy will have a wonderful trip.

Eĭna kulo tafem-iu tamese finoko.
that boy have-3s.AN.FUT wonderful trip