KINARAY-A
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SYNTAX

The order of words in a basic declarative sentence in Kinaray-a is usually the verb first, followed by the ang phrase. In these examples, we use the verbal focus which assumes that the ang phrase is a person who is able to do the action.  

[Nagadalagan]verb­ [ang laki.]ang phrase


The format we use for example sentences is the same as what linguists use for their analysis. The first line is the sentence in the language's standard orthography, the second line is the same sentence with hyphens to clarify the morphology, the third line is the linguistic analysis of the morphemes, and the fourth line is a free translation into English.

Nagadalagan ang laki.

 

naga-dalagan

ang

laki

 

present-run

the

man

 

‘The man is running.’


If there is a direct object in the sentence, then the object will follow the ang phrase.

Nagbüül ang bayi ka bulong.

 

nag-büül

ang

bayi

ka

bulong.

 

past-get

the

woman

some

medicine.

 

‘The woman got some medicine.’


Emphatic particles can go directly after the verb.

 

Nakabakal rün ang bayi ka bügas.

 

naka-bakal

rün

ang

bayi

ka

bügas

 

past.able-buy

emphasis

the

woman

some

rice

 

‘The woman has bought some rice already.’


Subordinate clauses can go after the main clause.

 

Mahadlükan tana kun magtürük sa dülüm.

 

ma-hadlük-an

tana

kun

mag-türük

sa

dülüm.

 

future-fear-be.affected

he/she

if

infinitive-look

in

dark

 

‘He/She will be afraid if he/she looks in the dark.’