Language/Halh-mongolian/Grammar/Conditional-Verbs

Halh Mongolian → Grammar → Conditional Verbs

As a Halh Mongolian language teacher with 20 years of experience, I am excited to teach you about conditional verbs in Halh Mongolian. This is an intermediate level lesson that assumes you have a basic understanding of Halh Mongolian grammar and vocabulary. Conditional verbs are essential to express hypothetical or uncertain situations in Halh Mongolian. In this lesson, you will learn about the different forms of conditional verbs and their usages.

Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Adverbs & Adjectives.

Types of Conditional Verbs

There are four main types of conditional verbs in Halh Mongolian: indicative, counterfactual, potential, and imperative. Each type of conditional verb expresses a different degree of certainty or possibility.

Indicative

Indicative conditional verbs express possible or likely situations. They are formed by adding the suffix "-хад" ("-khad") to the stem of the verb.

Halh Mongolian	Pronunciation	English
Орох	Orok-khad	Could enter
Ухах	Ukha-khad	Could drink
Ойлгох	Oylgokh-khad	Could think
Чинь болох	Ching bolokh-khad	Could be true

Counterfactual

Counterfactual conditional verbs express hypothetical or imaginary situations that are not true. They are formed by adding the suffix "-сан" ("-san") to the stem of the verb.

Halh Mongolian	Pronunciation	English
Орох	Orok-san	If he had entered
Ухах	Ukha-san	If he had drunk
Ойлгох	Oylgo-san	If he had thought
Чинь болох	Ching boloo-san	If it had been true

Potential

Potential conditional verbs express possibility or potentiality. They are formed by adding the suffix "-ж болох" ("-zh bolokh") to the stem of the verb.

Halh Mongolian	Pronunciation	English
Орох	Orok-zh bolokh	Could enter
Ухах	Ukha-zh bolokh	Could drink
Ойлгох	Oylgokh-zh bolokh	Could think
Чинь болох	Ching bolokh-zh bolokh	Could be true

Imperative

Imperative conditional verbs express commands, suggestions, or advice, usually in a hypothetical or uncertain scenario. They are formed by adding the suffix "-ээрээ" ("-eere") to the stem of the verb.

Halh Mongolian	Pronunciation	English
Орох	Orok-eere	Would you enter?
Ухах	Ukha-eere	Would you drink?
Ойлгох	Oylgokh-eere	Would you think?
Чинь болох	Ching bolokh-eere	Would you be true?

Usages of Conditional Verbs

Conditional verbs are used to express hypothetical or uncertain situations. They are often used in the following situations:

• To express a hypothetical situation, usually involving an "if" or "unless" clause.
  • Example: "If I had more money, I would buy a car." -> "Хэрхэн нэмэгдүүлэх вэ? Хэрхэн маш мөнгө олдох вэ?"
• To express past regrets or wishes that did not come true.
  • Example: "I wish I had studied harder in school." -> "Намайгаа багаа зэрэг суралцахыг хичээвээсэн байхад Я аваачихсан байна."
• To express a suggestion or advice in a hypothetical scenario.
  • Example: "If I were you, I would take a vacation." -> "Би чи хэн юм бол хэцүү байхын тул Я одоо амралт хийхийг зөвлөж байна."

Make sure to practice using conditional verbs in different situations to improve your proficiency in Halh Mongolian.

Other Lessons

• Pronouns
• Imperative Verbs
• Gender
• Passive Verbs
• Past Tense Verbs
• Declensions
• Give your Opinion
• Negation
• Adjectives
• Questions