Language/Fijian/Grammar/Negation
Hi Fijian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will study the negation in Fijian. This is an important topic in Fijian grammar, as it allows you to express negation or denial. We will begin by understanding the basics of Fijian negation and then gradually move on to more complex forms. By the end of this lesson, you will have a good understanding of how negation works in Fijian.
Basics of Negation
In Fijian, negation is formed either by adding the word "se" before the verb or by using the particle "ka sega ni" before the verb. For example:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Au se lako | Ow seh lah-kaw | I am not going |
| Au ka sega ni lako | Ow kah seh-n-gah nee lah-kaw | I am not going |
As you can see from the table above, the same meaning of negation is expressed in Fijian in two different ways. The first form is more commonly used in spoken Fijian, while the second is used in formal or written Fijian.
Complex Negation in Fijian
In Fijian, you can use several other words and phrases to form negative sentences. Here are some examples:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Au sa sega ni lako | Ow sah seh-n-gah nee lah-kaw | I am not going |
| Au sa qai sega ni lako | Ow sah ngai seh-n-gah nee lah-kaw | I will not go |
| Au na sega ni lako | Ow nah seh-n-gah nee lah-kaw | I did not go |
In the examples above, different words and particles are used to express negation. The word "sa" is often used to express incomplete or ongoing actions, while "qai" indicates something that will happen in the future. The particle "na" is used for past tense negation.
Examples in Dialogue
Let's see negation in action in a dialogue:
- Person 1: Au sega ni lako e na vale ni a wili tu cake me gu
- Person 2: A, caqali au sa vakarau ga
Translation:
- Person 1: I did not go to the house where they built the new fence
- Person 2: Oh, I'm just arranging for things
How to Practice Negation in Fijian
To practice negation in Fijian, try to form your own negative sentences using the different forms we have studied in this lesson. You can also find more exercises and examples in the Fijian Grammar section of the Polyglot Club website.
To improve your Fijian Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Sources
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Related Lessons
- Future Tense
- Conditional Mood
- Plurals
- Questions
- Give your Opinion
- Adjectives
- Pronouns
- How to Use Have