Modification of Verbs
Mizo verbs are often used in the Gerund, and most verbs change desinence in the Gerund; this modification is called tihdanglamna. This modified form is also the past participle. Some verbs which undergo modification are tabulated below:
Mizo verb | Tihdanglam (modified form) | English meaning |
---|---|---|
ziak | ziah | ziak - to write ziah - writing (g.), written |
tât | tah | tât - to whet (such as a knife) tah - whetting (g.), whetted |
mà | mâk | mà - to divorce (said of a man divorcing his wife) mâk - divorcing (g.), divorced |
However, even if the spelling of a verb is not changed, its tone is sometimes changed. For example the verbs tum (to aim), hum (to protect) etc. change tones; the tone is lowered in the modified form. There is a third class of verbs - that of verbs which neither change tone nor are inflected (modified). Examples include hneh (to conquer), hnek (to strike with one's fist).
Modification of words is not restricted to verbs; adjectives, adverbs etc. are also modified.
Read more about this topic: Mizo Language, Grammar, Verbs
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