LESSON 3:
NOTEWORTHY WORDS

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In a previous lesson you learned about situation nouns. As you may remember, a situation noun represents the action of its clause. If you want the SN to refer to the subject or object of the clause, use KITA and KITO respectively. These words will "extract" the subject or object out of the SN. Examples:

KIKE BIKI [PEZI BUPO TOPA].
I see that the woman is holding the paper.

KIKE BIKI KITA [PEZI BUPO TOPA].
I see the woman who is holding the paper.

KIKE BIKI KITO [PEZI BUPO TOPA].
I see the paper which the woman holds.

Zese does not contain a lot of antonyms (words having the opposite meaning of other words). Instead, use the word DESA to invert the meaning of a word.

DESA GOGI
Bad

DESA POGA
Below

DETU, in contrast with DESA, signifies the absence of a concept.

DETU GOGI
Not good (not necessarily bad)

DETU POGA
Not above (not necessarily below)

Use DEKO and DEKU to compare the magnitude of concepts.

PUTO DIZA DEKO GOGI DEKU PUDU.
Metal is more good (better) than dirt.

KIKE BIKI DEKO KUZU PEPI DEKU PEBE.
I see more (many) fish than birds.

For the superlative (greatest degree), use DEDA.

KIKE SAKI DEDA KADO SUSU.
I am hearing the most funny thing.

PEKA DIPA DEDA KUZU GOPE.
The person has the most (many) money.

To express the past, present, and future tenses, use TASU, TAKE, and TASI respectively.

KIKE TASU BIKI PEBE.
I saw a bird.

KIKE TAKE BIKI PEBE.
I see a bird right now.

KIKE TASI BIKI PEBE.
I will see a bird.

To express the conditional or subjunctive mood, use TABU. (The conditional and subjunctive moods encompass actions which are hypothetical or imaginary.)

PIDI TABU TUKO [KIKE DIPA GOGI KAKU].
Food would cause me to be happy.

[KIKE TABU SAKI KATA] DIKO [KIKU TABU KASA].
I would listen if you spoke.

TUTI and TUTO are NOT strict antonyms. TUTO implies that a process has been completed without interruption. DESA TUTI implies a process has ended and may have been interrupted.

KIKE TUTO GODI.
I finished working.

KIKE DESA TUTI GODI.
I stopped working.

To ask a question, use SUZI and KEZI. Note that Zese word order does not change for questions.

KIKU BIKI SUZI PEKA?
Which person do you see?

KIKU KEZI BIKI PEPI?
Do you see a fish?

To give a command, use GOKU.

GOKU KAGE PADI!
(Please) choose a vegetable!

GOKU TUPE TOZA!
(Please) buy clothing!

To express the existence of something, use KEBA. This word is also valid for actions.

DUDA BIBI KEBA.
There is sunlight.

TUTU KEBA.
The action is happening.

KAPA and KAPE have similar meanings. However, KAPA means to know without a doubt, and KAPE means to have a subjective opinion.

KIKE KAPA [PADE BIDE].
I know that grass is green.

KIKE KAPE [PADE DIZA GOGI PIDI].
I think that grass is a good food.

In the next lesson, you will see more noteworthy words!

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