7. VERBS

A verb is an action word; it is something that you do.

There are four types of verbs:
                 
                  1. One Sound
                  2. Vowel Verbs
                  3. Commands
                  4. Self

ONE SOUND

These verbs only have one syllable or one sound.

Some of these verbs have an invisible 'i' in front of them.
They are coming -- ba (they) + ya (present tense) + come (za) = bayeza
They stop/stand -- ba (they) + ma (stop/stand) = bema

Keep in mind what happens to vowels when they are put next to each other.
For a reminder, go to the lesson on CHANGES.

VOWEL VERBS

When a verb starts with a vowel, we must follow the rules for vowel CHANGES.

I am scared -- ngi (I) + esaba (scared) = ngesaba
What are you doing? -- u (you) + enza (do) + ni (what) = wenzani?
We increased -- si (we) + anda (increase) + ile (past tense) = sandile

COMMANDS

A command is an instruction. A verb can be used as a command.

If a verb only has one sound, we add YI to the beginning.

If we give a command to more than one person, we add NI to the end.

REFLEXIVE (self)

To show that someone is doing something for themselves, we add ZI before the verb.