Basic conjugation

All shikomori conjugation fits into one formula:

`[NEG] + SUBJECT + TENSE + [OBJECT] + ROOT + FINAL + [SUFFIXES]`

Every slot is optional except subject, root, and final. You've seen these pieces separately (M4.2 for object, M4.4 for negation). This lesson puts them together and gives you the full prefix grid.

From the root -on- (« see »), in shimaoré:

• uona — to see (infinitive Ma)
• huona — to see (infinitive Ng/Nz)
• nisuona — I see, right now (ni-su-on-a)
• wami uona — I see, in general (standalone pronoun + infinitive)
• tsiono — I saw (completed: the final vowel changes)
• nitsoona — I will see (future, ni-tso-on-a)
• natsoona — I would see (conditional)

Note: -na- is not a present marker. na means « with »: tsina « I have » (lit. « I am with »).

In the negative, the subject prefix changes: tsisusoma « I'm not learning », karisula « we're not eating » (booklet, p. 23).

To make a verb reflexive (« see oneself », « wash oneself »), insert an infix between the tense marker and the root:

• -dji- in shimaoré
• -dzi- in shiNgazidja and shiNdzuani (cf. dz/z rule, M1.6)

With « see »:

| Form | Translation |
|---|---|
| Nisidjiona | I see myself |
| Usidjiona | you see yourself |
| Asidjiona | he/she sees himself/herself |
| Risidjiona | we see ourselves |
| Musidjiona | you all see yourselves |
| Wasidjiona | they see themselves |

An infix (in the middle of the word), not a prefix. Elegant and regular.

Greet, deny, point at, conjugate in the present, past and future — you already have enough to talk.

The next lesson completes conjugation: imperative, subjunctive, relative, to be and to have, the passive.