Language/Borana-arsi-guji-oromo/Grammar/Present-Tense
Introduction
In this lesson, you will learn how to form and use the present tense of regular verbs in Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo. Understanding verb tenses is essential to speaking and writing in a clear and accurate manner. By mastering the present tense, you will be able to express actions that are happening right now or that occur regularly.
Verb Conjugation
In Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo, verbs generally end in either "-n" or "-t". To conjugate a verb in the present tense, simply remove the "-n" or "-t" and add the appropriate subject suffix. The subject suffixes for the present tense are as follows:
| Person | Suffix |
|---|---|
| 1st singular | -ni |
| 2nd singular | -ti |
| 3rd singular | -ti/-i |
| 1st plural | -niiba/-niibu/-niibuun |
| 2nd plural | -tiiba/-tiibu/-tiibuun |
| 3rd plural | -ni/nii |
For example, let's conjugate the verb "to eat" in the present tense for the different subject pronouns:
| Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo | English |
|---|---|
| Nan galgala-ni. | I am eating. |
| Anta galgala-ti. | You are eating. |
| Ishuma galgala-ti/-i. | He/She is eating. |
| Namni galgala-niiba/-niibu/-niibuun. | We are eating. |
| Antini galgala-tiiba/-tiibu/-tiibuun. | You all are eating. |
| Ishinni galgala-ni/nii. | They are eating. |
Note that the subject suffixes are added directly to the verb stem, without any changes in the vowel sounds or consonant clusters. Also, the third-person singular pronoun can be either "ishuma" (for males) or "ishii" (for females), depending on the gender of the subject.
Expressions of Time
To indicate when an action is taking place in the present tense, Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo uses different expressions of time. Some of the most common expressions are:
- Waaqayyoo - now
- Imaan - today
- Gabatee - always
- Komanteessa - every day
For example:
- Nan galgala-waaqayyoo. - I am eating now.
- Anta galgala-imaan. - You are eating today.
- Ishuma galgala-gabatee. - He/She is always eating.
- Namni galgala-komanteessa. - We eat every day.
When using expressions of time, it is important to place them at the beginning or the end of the sentence, depending on emphasis and context.
Negative Form
To form the negative form of a verb in the present tense, simply add the word "mi" before the subject suffix. For example:
- Nan galgala-mi-ni. - I am not eating.
- Anta galgala-mi-ti. - You are not eating.
- Ishuma galgala-mi-ti/-i. - He/She is not eating.
- Namni galgala-mi-niiba/-niibu/-niibuun. - We are not eating.
- Antini galgala-mi-tiiba/-tiibu/-tiibuun. - You all are not eating.
- Ishinni galgala-mi-ni/nii. - They are not eating.
Again, it is important to note that the subject suffix is added directly to the verb stem, and that no changes in the vowel sounds or consonant clusters are made.
Examples
Here are some additional examples of sentences in the present tense:
- Nan aman-ni. - I am walking.
- Anta badan-ti. - You are running.
- Ishuma tullu-tee/-ii. - He/She is jumping.
- Namni kalchissa-niiba/-niibu/-niibuun. - We are laughing.
- Antini zufan-tiiba/-tiibu/-tiibuun. - You all are singing.
- Ishinni ilmaan-ni/nii. - They are playing.
These sentences can be modified by adding expressions of time or other adverbs, or by changing the verb to a negative form.
Conclusion
By mastering the present tense of regular verbs in Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo, you will be able to express actions that are happening right now or that occur regularly. Remember to pay attention to the subject suffixes and the expressions of time, and to practice making sentences using different verbs and subjects. In the next lesson, you will learn how to form and use the past tense of regular verbs in Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo.