Adverb syntax

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Form

There are three kinds of adverbs:

  • root adverbs, such as set now, kxawm, maybe
  • compound adverbs, such as kawkrr never, fìfya this way
  • derived adverbs, created with the prefix nì-, such as nìngay truly, nìtut, continually

Word Order

With Na'vi's free word order, adverbs may come before or after words they modify. However, there does seem to be a strong tendency in Frommer's examples to put adverbs of quantity or degree (nìtxan, nìwotx, nì'ul) after the word they go with, txur nì'ul stronger (from the film), sometimes cleft from it, as in lì’fya ngeyä sìltsan lu nìtxan your use of language is very good or at the end of a clause, ngaru irayo seiyi oe nìtxan thank you very much.

Particular Adverbs

nìwotx

This word, all (of), in toto, completely, is often paired with plural pronouns with the notion of "all," tìfyawìntxuri oeyä perey aynga nìwotx you are all waiting for my guidance (AMFP).