Difference between revisions of "Adjectives"
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| − | There are several adjective types in Na'vi | + | There are several adjective types in Na'vi — primitive adjectives, such as '''apxa''', and derived adjectives created with the prefix '''le-''' or participles created from verbs using the infix '''‹us›'''. |
Adjectives do not agree for number, gender or case in Na'vi. | Adjectives do not agree for number, gender or case in Na'vi. | ||
=== Predicate === | === Predicate === | ||
| − | Adjective predication simply uses the | + | Adjective predication simply uses the copula '''lu''', as in '''fayvrrtep fìtsenge <u>lu kxanì</u>''' ''these demons <u>are forbidden</u> here'' ({{Corpus TO}}). |
=== Attributive === | === Attributive === | ||
| − | Attributive adjectives are linked to the noun they modify by affixing the syllable '''a''' to the adjective. The affix can be either a prefix or a suffix, attaching to the adjective so that it is closest to the noun. For example, '''sìltsana fmawn''' ''good news'' ({{Corpus AMFP}}), which could also be phrased '''fmawn asìltsan'''. | + | Attributive adjectives are linked to the noun they modify by affixing the syllable '''a''' to the adjective. The affix can be either a prefix or a suffix, attaching to the adjective so that it is closest to the noun. For example, using '''sìltsan''' ''good'', '''sìltsana fmawn''' ''good news'' ({{Corpus AMFP}}), which could also be phrased '''fmawn asìltsan'''. |
The attributive '''a''' is usually omitted from derived adjectives in '''le-''' when it would result in the combination '''ale-''', which is somewhat redundant ([[Canon#Extracts from various emails|Dec 27]]). | The attributive '''a''' is usually omitted from derived adjectives in '''le-''' when it would result in the combination '''ale-''', which is somewhat redundant ([[Canon#Extracts from various emails|Dec 27]]). | ||
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=== Comparative === | === Comparative === | ||
| − | Comparative adjectives ("bigger", "more curious," etc) are expressed | + | Comparative adjectives ("bigger", "more curious," etc) are expressed using the particle '''to'''. To say that "A is adj-er than B" you say '''A to B lu ADJ''' as in '''po to oe lu sìltsan''' ''she is better than I'' ([[Canon#Adjective_Comparatives|Comparatives]]). |
Revision as of 13:52, 26 February 2010
There are several adjective types in Na'vi — primitive adjectives, such as apxa, and derived adjectives created with the prefix le- or participles created from verbs using the infix ‹us›.
Adjectives do not agree for number, gender or case in Na'vi.
Predicate
Adjective predication simply uses the copula lu, as in fayvrrtep fìtsenge lu kxanì these demons are forbidden here (TO).
Attributive
Attributive adjectives are linked to the noun they modify by affixing the syllable a to the adjective. The affix can be either a prefix or a suffix, attaching to the adjective so that it is closest to the noun. For example, using sìltsan good, sìltsana fmawn good news (AMFP), which could also be phrased fmawn asìltsan.
The attributive a is usually omitted from derived adjectives in le- when it would result in the combination ale-, which is somewhat redundant (Dec 27).
ayftxozä lefpom usual ayftxozä alefpom permitted *lefpom ayftxozä an error lefpoma ayftxozä good
If the attributive a occurs next to another a, they merge into a single a, as in apxa skxawng a big moron.
Comparative
Comparative adjectives ("bigger", "more curious," etc) are expressed using the particle to. To say that "A is adj-er than B" you say A to B lu ADJ as in po to oe lu sìltsan she is better than I (Comparatives).
