> Chapter 1 > "Must"
Duty, or obligation, is the word gu-vam and an irregular-strong verb that is never changed in spelling or pronunciation. This word is often used in place of “must”
Your duty to read = Gu-vam telv-tor du.
Other uses.
Telv gu-vam du.
Telv t’du gu-vam.
Other verbs can be used to imply the same meaning.
Bolau = to need
Bol’uh = need (imperative)
Aitlu = to desire
Aitl’uh = dsire (imperative)
/
Ma = to have
Ma telv-tor du. = Having/have to read, you. (this is modal-verb use, combining verbs present tense)
NOTE: When speaking, you can use imperatives to give orders, implying they should need this or desire that, for example. The letter i (rhymes with eye), when attached to a verb also draws focus, but is very modern/slang, and sounds assuming “bolau’i du” (you need now), and demanding “Bol’i du” (need it now!). Later lessons cover the loose rules on adverbs. Cutting the verb short with i’ “now” isn’t uncommon for intermediate (V2) speakers, but can sound childlike.
The one-to-one word “must” doesn’t exist, but the meaning is retained. A full lesson for imperatives will come later. Use the imperative forms you’ve learned from the examples or use the noun-form of verbs in your answer below:
TRANSLATION EXERCISE:
“I need you to read this word.” = ________________________________
“You must read this word.” = ______________________________
/
Duty, or obligation, is the word gu-vam and an irregular-strong verb that is never changed in spelling or pronunciation. This word is often used in place of “must”
Your duty to read = Gu-vam telv-tor du.
Other uses.
Telv gu-vam du.
Telv t’du gu-vam.
Other verbs can be used to imply the same meaning.
Bolau = to need
Bol’uh = need (imperative)
Aitlu = to desire
Aitl’uh = dsire (imperative)
/
Ma = to have
Ma telv-tor du. = Having/have to read, you. (this is modal-verb use, combining verbs present tense)
NOTE: When speaking, you can use imperatives to give orders, implying they should need this or desire that, for example. The letter i (rhymes with eye), when attached to a verb also draws focus, but is very modern/slang, and sounds assuming “bolau’i du” (you need now), and demanding “Bol’i du” (need it now!). Later lessons cover the loose rules on adverbs. Cutting the verb short with i’ “now” isn’t uncommon for intermediate (V2) speakers, but can sound childlike.
The one-to-one word “must” doesn’t exist, but the meaning is retained. A full lesson for imperatives will come later. Use the imperative forms you’ve learned from the examples or use the noun-form of verbs in your answer below:
TRANSLATION EXERCISE:
“I need you to read this word.” = ________________________________
“You must read this word.” = ______________________________
/
