Mizo Language - Grammar - Verbs - Modification of Verbs

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
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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