Verb syntax
preliminaries here
Contents
Transitivity
Tense
Aspect
Combined Tense and Aspect
Mood
Imperative
Commands in Na'vi have no special infix. Positive commands are simply a verb stem, kä! kä! go! go! (from the film). The pronoun may also be stated explicitly, 'awpot set ftxey ayngal, (you) choose one now (ASG, Hunt Song).
Negative commands are not negated with the usual negative adverb ke, but rather use the word rä'ä, as in txopu rä’ä si don't be afraid (from the film).
A polite command or request may instead use the infix ‹iv› (see Optative below).
The infix ‹iv›
On the LearnNavi.org forum this infix is often called a subjunctive. While it does take up several functions that match the subjunctive, it has several other roles, too.
Optative
It is used to indicate wish, oeyä swizaw nìngay tivakuk let my arrow strike true (ASG, Hunt Song).
It may also indicate a polite command, spivaw oeti rutxe please believe me (AMFP).
Modal Complement
The verbal complement to a modal verb, such as zene must, tsun can, be able to, and new, want to, will take the infix, as in ayngari zene hivum you must leave (BtS), oe new nìtxan ayngaru fyawivìntxu I want very much to guide you (AMFP), fmawn a tsun oe ayngaru tivìng news which I can give to you (AMFP).
