nízin
Navajo
Etymology
ni- (modal) + ∅- (3rd person subject prefix) + -∅- (classifier) + -zin (neuter imperfective stem of root -ZĮĮD, “to think, to know”).
This verb exhibits irregular tones on the inner prefix /ni/ syllable in the second-person singular and third-person singular and duoplural forms.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /nɪ́zɪ̀n/
Audio: (file)
Verb
nízin
- he/she thinks, is of the opinion
- Ashkii léi háágóó deeyá nínízin? ― Where do you think that boy is going?
- George shíká adoolwoł nisin. ― I think George will help me.
- George bíká adeeshwoł nízin. ― George wants to help him. (lit. George thinks “I will help him”.)
- George jíká adeeshwoł nízin. ― George wants to help me. (lit. George thinks “I will help him (4th person)”.)
- (in a number of set expressions) he/she feels:
Usage notes
This is a neuter verb that uses only the imperfective mode. The conjugation is identical to yinízin (“he/she wants it”) except for the third person, due to the latter being transitive.
Conjugation
Paradigm: Neuter imperfective (∅), with some irregularities.
| imperfective | singular | duoplural | plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st person | nisin | niidzin | daniidzin |
| 2nd person | nínízin | nohsin | danohsin |
| 3rd person | nízin | danízin | |
| 4th person | jinízin | daznízin | |