Language/Fijian/Grammar/Giving-Commands
Introduction
In this lesson, you will learn how to form imperatives in Fijian to give commands and make requests. You will learn how to use imperative verbs in various sentence structures and practice using polite requests with the phrase "please". By the end of this lesson, you will be able to give commands to someone in Fijian and communicate your needs and wants in a polite manner.
Imperatives
Definition
Imperatives are verb forms used to give commands, orders, and instructions. They are used to tell someone to do something or not to do something. In Fijian, imperatives are formed by using the root form of a verb without the subject pronoun. Unlike in English, there is only one imperative form in Fijian.
Formation
To form the imperative mood in Fijian, use the bare root form of a verb without the subject pronoun. For example:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| lako | la-ko | Go! |
In this example, the verb "lako" means "to go". The bare root form of the verb is "lako", which is used to give the command "go". Note that there is no subject pronoun present in the imperative form.
Here are some more examples:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| tu | tu | Stand up! |
| muri | mu-ri | Follow me! |
| taura | tau-ra | Hold it! |
| moce | mo-ce | Sleep! |
| kakua | ka-kua | Don't! |
Note that the imperative form does not use the subject pronoun, nor does it use any tense or aspect markers. It is always the bare root form of the verb.
Usage
In Fijian, imperatives are used to give commands, orders, and instructions. They are often used in situations where actions need to be performed quickly and efficiently, such as in emergencies, sports, or military settings. Imperatives can also be used in everyday situations to tell someone what to do, such as in the following examples:
- "Moce!" (Sleep!)
- "Dabe!" (Eat!)
- "Kua!" (Stop!)
When giving commands or orders, it is important to use a clear and firm tone of voice to convey authority. This is especially important in situations where safety or security is at stake.
Examples
Here are some examples of imperatives in use:
- "Lako sara yani!" (Go quickly!)
- "Taura mada!" (Hold it please!)
- "Moce tikoga!" (Sleep well!)
- "Dabe ga!" (Just eat!)
- "Tubu!" (Grow!)
- "Vocea!" (Open it!)
Requests
Definition
Requests are a type of sentence used to ask for something or to make a suggestion. In Fijian, requests are formed by using the imperative form of the verb with the phrase "vinaka" or "dina" to make it polite. These phrases are equivalent to "please" in English.
Formation
To make a polite request in Fijian, use the imperative form of the verb with the phrase "vinaka" or "dina". For example:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| moce vinaka | mo-ce vi-na-ka | Please sleep |
In this example, the verb "moce" means "to sleep". The imperative form of the verb is "moce". To make it polite, we add the word "vinaka" which means "please". The resulting phrase is "moce vinaka" which means "please sleep". Note that the subject pronoun is still omitted.
Usage
Requests are used to ask someone to do something or to make a suggestion in a polite manner. They are often used in everyday situations, such as ordering food at a restaurant, requesting assistance from someone, or asking a favor from a friend. In Fijian, requests can be made more polite by using the phrases "vinaka" or "dina" which are equivalent to "please" in English.
Examples
Here are some examples of polite requests in Fijian:
- "Moce vinaka mada." (Please sleep.)
- "Daurica vinaka na i-sosomi." (Please pass the salt.)
- "Lako vinaka yani." (Please go ahead.)
- "Dina sa rauta na ka oqo." (Please do this for me.)
Practice
Let's practice forming imperatives and making polite requests in Fijian. Use the vocabulary and phrases you have learned in this lesson to create your own examples.
Exercise 1
Form the imperative mood for the following verbs:
- lako
- qai
- tara
- turaga
- datou lako
Exercise 2
Make a polite request using the following verbs:
- moce
- lako
- taura
- vinaka
Conclusion
Congratulations, you have learned how to form imperatives in Fijian to give commands and make requests, as well as how to make polite requests using the phrases "vinaka" and "dina". Make sure to practice using these concepts in various sentence structures and situations.
Remember, when giving commands or orders, use