Language/Assamese/Grammar/Questions-and-Negations

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Assamese → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Basic Sentence Structure → Questions and Negations

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore the formation of questions and negations in Assamese. These are essential aspects of the language that allow us to seek information and express negation. By mastering the art of asking questions and creating negative sentences, you will gain a deeper understanding of Assamese sentence structure and improve your overall fluency in the language.

Throughout this lesson, we will provide comprehensive explanations, numerous examples, and engaging exercises to help you grasp these concepts effectively. We will also explore the cultural aspects related to questions and negations in Assamese, giving you valuable insights into the language and its usage in real-life situations. Let's dive into the fascinating world of questions and negations in Assamese!

Forming Questions in Assamese

Asking questions is an important skill in any language. In Assamese, questions are formed by changing the word order or adding question words to the sentence. Let's explore the different ways to form questions in Assamese:

Word Order Questions

One way to form a question in Assamese is by changing the word order of a sentence. In a typical Assamese sentence, the order is subject-verb-object (SVO). However, in a question, the order changes to verb-subject-object (VSO). Let's look at an example:

• Normal sentence: মই আহিলোঁ। (moi ahilu) - I came.
• Question: আহিলোঁ মই? (ahilu moi?) - Did I come?

In the question, the verb "আহিলোঁ" (ahilu) comes before the subject "মই" (moi), indicating that it is a question.

Question Words

Another way to form questions in Assamese is by using question words. These words are placed at the beginning of the sentence to indicate that it is a question. Here are some common question words in Assamese:

• কি (ki) - What
• কেনেকৈ (kenekoi) - How
• কখন (kokhon) - When
• কেতিয়া (ketiya) - How many
• কোন (kon) - Which/Who
• কে (ke) - Who
• কেনে (kene) - Why
• কেনেকৈলৈ (kenekoi loi) - Where

Let's see some examples of questions using these question words:

• কি হৈছে? (ki hoihse?) - What happened?
• কেনেকৈ পাহৰিছে? (kenekoi pahorise?) - How did you come?
• কখন কাৰ্যক্ৰম হৈছে? (kokhon karjokrom hoihse?) - When is the program?
• কেতিয়া খাব পাৰিছে? (ketiya khab parise?) - How many have you eaten?
• কোন ভাষা কথা কৰিছে? (kon bhasha kotha korise?) - Which language are you speaking?
• কে আসিলে? (ke asile?) - Who came?
• কেনে এই কাম কৰিছে? (kene ei kam korise?) - Why are you doing this?
• কেনেকৈলৈ গোলঘৰলৈ যাব? (kenekoi loi golghorloi jab?) - Where will you go?

By using these question words, you can easily form questions in Assamese and engage in meaningful conversations.

Polite Questions

In Assamese, it is common to add the word "বন্ধু" (bondhu) meaning "friend" at the end of a question to make it more polite. This is similar to using "please" in English. Let's see an example:

• আপুনি খাব নেওঁক? (apuni khab neok?) - Will you eat?
• আপুনি খাব নেওঁক বন্ধু? (apuni khab neok bondhu?) - Will you eat, please?

Adding "বন্ধু" (bondhu) at the end of the question conveys politeness and respect in Assamese culture.

Negating Sentences in Assamese

Negating sentences is a crucial aspect of communication in any language. In Assamese, negation is achieved by adding specific words or particles to the sentence. Let's explore some common ways to create negations in Assamese:

Using "নহওঁ" (nahon)

The most common way to negate a sentence in Assamese is by adding the word "নহওঁ" (nahon) before the verb. Let's look at an example:

• Positive sentence: মই আহিলোঁ। (moi ahilu) - I came.
• Negative sentence: মই নহওঁ আহিলোঁ। (moi nahon ahilu) - I didn't come.

In the negative sentence, the word "নহওঁ" (nahon) is added before the verb "আহিলোঁ" (ahilu) to indicate negation.

Using "নহওঁ" (nahon) with Question Words

When negating a sentence with question words, the word "নহওঁ" (nahon) is placed before the question word. Let's see an example:

• Positive sentence: তুমি কাল আসিলে? (tumi kal asile?) - Did you come yesterday?
• Negative sentence: তুমি নহওঁ কাল আসিলে? (tumi nahon kal asile?) - Didn't you come yesterday?

In the negative sentence, the word "নহওঁ" (nahon) is placed before the question word "কাল" (kal) to indicate negation.

Using "নহওঁ" (nahon) with "কেতিয়া" (ketiya)

To indicate negation with the question word "কেতিয়া" (ketiya) meaning "how many," the word "নহওঁ" (nahon) is placed before "কেতিয়া" (ketiya). Let's see an example:

• Positive sentence: তুমি কেতিয়া খাব পাৰিছে? (tumi ketiya khab parise?) - How many have you eaten?
• Negative sentence: তুমি নহওঁ কেতিয়া খাব পাৰিছে? (tumi nahon ketiya khab parise?) - How many haven't you eaten?

In the negative sentence, the word "নহওঁ" (nahon) is placed before "কেতিয়া" (ketiya) to indicate negation.

Using "নহওঁ" (nahon) with "এটা" (eta) and "নেওঁ" (neon)

To negate sentences with the words "এটা" (eta) meaning "this" and "নেওঁ" (neon) meaning "take," the word "নহওঁ" (nahon) is placed before both words. Let's see an example:

• Positive sentence: এটা নেওঁ। (eta neon) - Take this.
• Negative sentence: এটা নহওঁ নেওঁ। (eta nahon neon) - Don't take this.

In the negative sentence, the word "নহওঁ" (nahon) is placed before both "এটা" (eta) and "নেওঁ" (neon) to indicate negation.

Cultural Insights

In Assamese culture, asking questions is considered a way of showing interest and actively participating in conversations. People are generally curious and eager to learn more about others. Assamese people also use questions to express politeness and respect. Adding "বন্ধু" (bondhu) at the end of a question is a common practice to make it more polite and friendly.

Negation is used in Assamese to express disagreement or denial. When negating a sentence, it is important to maintain politeness and respect. Assamese people often use the word "নহওঁ" (nahon) to indicate negation, and it is considered polite to use this word when expressing disagreement or denial.

Exercises

Now, let's practice what we have learned! Translate the following sentences into Assamese:

1. Did you eat? 2. Who came? 3. What are you doing? 4. How many books do you have? 5. Why are you late? 6. Don't go there. 7. Didn't you see him? 8. Take this book. 9. How did you come? 10. Where are you going?

Solutions

Here are the solutions to the exercises:

1. তুমি খাব নেওঁক? (tumi khab neok?) 2. কে আসিলে? (ke asile?) 3. তুমি কি কৰিছে? (tumi ki korise?) 4. তুমি কেতিয়া কিতাপ আছে? (tumi ketiya kitap asse?) 5. তুমি কেনে বিলম্বিত হৈছে? (tumi kene bilambit hoihse?) 6. ওখানত নহওঁ যাওক। (okhant nahon jaok.) 7. তুমি নহওঁ তেওঁক দেখিছিলা? (tumi nahon tenok dekhilaa?) 8. এই কিতাপ নেওঁ। (ei kitap neon.) 9. তুমি কেনেকৈ আহিলে? (tumi kenekoi ahile?) 10. তুমি কেনেকৈলৈ যাওক? (tumi kenekoi loi jaok?)

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have learned how to form questions and negations in Assamese. These skills will greatly enhance your ability to communicate and understand the language. Keep practicing and exploring the rich cultural aspects of Assamese to deepen your knowledge and appreciation for this beautiful language. Happy learning!

Table of Contents - Assamese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Assamese Script

• Vowels and Consonants
• Combined Letters

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Basic Sentence Structure

• Subject, Verb, and Object
• Questions and Negations

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-10
• Telling Time

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Gender and Plurals
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationship Terms

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Eating Out

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Descriptive Adjectives
• Comparatives and Superlatives

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transport
• Directions and Locations

  ---

Assamese Festivals and Traditions

• Major Festivals
• Traditional Customs

Sources

• Assamese language - Wikipedia
• Assamese Grammar | LEARN101.ORG

Other Lessons

• Combined Letters
• Negation
• Plurals
• Descriptive Adjectives
• Future Tense
• Comparatives and Superlatives
• Possession
• 0 to A1 Course
• Gender and Plurals

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