Navajo
Etymology
y- (3rd person object prefix) + -di- (inceptive) + ∅- (3rd person subject prefix) + -ł- (classifier, causative) + -máás (imperfective stem of root -MÁÁZ, “to roll”).
The stem -máás (“globular, spherical, ball-like shape”) is cognate with -bą́ą́z (“hooplike, ringlike shape”), and they have the same origin, which possibly is Proto-Athabaskan *wątsʼ (“roll”).
Pronunciation
Verb
yidiłmáás
- he/she/it starts to roll it along (a ball, a barrel)
Conjugation
Paradigm: Momentaneous (∅/si).
| imperfective
|
singular
|
duoplural
|
plural
|
| 1st person
|
dismáás
|
diilmáás
|
dadiilmáás
|
| 2nd person
|
díłmáás
|
dołmáás
|
dadołmáás
|
| 3rd person
|
yidiłmáás
|
deidiłmáás
|
| 4th person
|
jidiłmáás
|
dazhdiłmáás
|
| perfective
|
singular
|
duoplural
|
plural
|
| 1st person
|
déłmááz
|
deelmááz
|
dadeelmááz
|
| 2nd person
|
díníłmááz
|
disoołmááz
|
dadisoołmááz
|
| 3rd person
|
yideesmááz
|
deideesmááz
|
| 4th person
|
jideesmááz
|
dazhdeesmááz
|
| future
|
singular
|
duoplural
|
plural
|
| 1st person
|
dideesmas
|
didiilmas
|
dadidiilmas
|
| 2nd person
|
didííłmas
|
didoołmas
|
dadidoołmas
|
| 3rd person
|
yididoołmas
|
deididoołmas
|
| 4th person
|
dizhdoołmas
|
dazhdidoołmas
|
Verbal stems
- ITERATIVE: -mas
- OPTATIVE: -máás