Verb Type 3 – “An” First Endings
As you know, the way to begin speaking Anishinaabemowin is to describe what is happening. There are only four types of increasingly complicated verbs and some simple rules about which one to use and when. Before any sentence can be understood, a speaker or listener would ask themselves, “What is happening and who or what is involved?” The answer to those questions will determine which verb is used. So far you have learned Type 1 and Type 2 verbs. Let’s review what all four verb types are all about.
Verb Type 1 verbs are used when something is just happening with no one involved.
For example, Gimiwan = It is raining.
Verb Type 2 verbs make clear who is causing the action or doing something. One of the seven pronouns does something without anyone else or any objects involved.
For example, niwiisin = I am eating
Type 3 and 4 verbs both contain objects. When there is an object of the action you need to pause and ask:
Is the object in the o’o/maanda (inanimate) category of nouns?
OR
Is the object in the wa’aw/maaba (animate) category of nouns?
Remember, you can often determine the category of the noun by finding out how it becomes plural. Most inanimate nouns become plural by adding “-an.” Most animate nouns become plural by adding “-ag.” Use the Ojibwe People’s Dictionary for guidance.
Let’s learn the difference between Type 3 verbs and Type 4 verbs:
Type 3 verbs are used when action is happening to an o’o/maanda (inanimate) noun. Only one of the seven pronouns is doing something with the direct inanimate object(s).
Verb Type 3 An Ending-0
For example, Niminikwaadaan doodooshaaboo = I am drinking the milk. Nimiijin biitoonigan = I am eating a sandwich.
Type 4 verbs are used when action is happening to a wa’aw/maaba (animate) noun. One of the seven pronouns is doing something with the direct animate object. This means there are actually two pronouns involved.
Verb-Type-3-An-Ending-1
For example, Giwaabamin = I see you. Nindamawaa mishiimin = I am eating an apple.
You will learn more about Type 4 Verbs in later lessons. In this lesson we will focus on Verb Type 3.
Verb Type 3 has two basic forms: 1) “an” endings and 2) “oon” or “in” endings. In this lesson we will focus on verbs ending with “an.”
Verbs ending with “an”
| minikwaadan (w) / minikwen (e) – to drink something waabandan – to see something ozhibii’an – to write something nandodan – to ask for something ayan – to have something jiibaakwaadan – to cook something gibaakwa’an – to shut / close something giizikan – to take off an “o’o / maanda” item biizikan – to put on an “o’o / maanda” item minwendan – to like something |
misawendan – to desire something nandawendan – to want something gikendan – to know something nanda-gikendan – to seek to know / learn something nisidotan – to understand something (heard) nisidawendan – to understand something (mentally) bizindan – to listen to something nanaa’inan – to put in order / organize something biina’an – to put something inside a certain place noondan – to hear something |
Inanimate Nouns (ni)
| waawan(oon) – egg biitoonigan(an) – sandwich ode’imin(an) – strawberry wiiyaas(an) – meat doodooshaaboo – milk makizin(an) – shoe biboonimakazin(an) – winter boot babagiwayaan(an) – shirt giizhoobabagiwayaan(an) – sweater |
babiinzikawaagan(an) – coat giboodiyegwaazon(an) – pair of pants nagamowin(an) – song dibaajimowin(an) – story mazinaabikiwebinigan(an) – computer giigidoo-biiwaabikoons(an) – telephone mazinaatesijigan(an) – television inaakonigewin(an) – treaty, law, rule |
To make a noun plural, add the plural ending that is in parentheses. For example, a singular egg is “waawan” but plural eggs are “waawanoon.”
Find more inanimate nouns on Ojibwe People’s Dictionary https://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/.
The following chart can be used to learn the conjugations for verbs with “an” endings. Pay close attention to when the verb matches the plural noun (in all forms except niinawind and giinawind). This means that you make the verb plural when there is a plural noun.
For example:
Nijiibaakwaadaan bezhig waawan. – I cook one egg.
Nijiibaakwaadaanan niizh waawanoon – I cook two eggs.
| Pronoun In Ojibwe | Pronoun In English | Single Statement *remove the “an” and conjugate * add (an) for plural sometimes |
| niin | I | ni + verb + aan (an) nin (initial d,j,g,z,zh) nim (initial b) nind (initial vowel) |
| giin | you | gi + verb + aan (an) gid (initial vowel) gim (initial b) |
| wiin | he / she | o + verb + aan(an) |
| niinawind | just us | ni + verb + aamin nin (initial d,j,g,z,zh) nim (initial b) nind (initial vowel) |
| giinawind | all of us | gi + verb + aamin gid (initial vowel) gim (initial b) |
| giinawaa | you all | gi + verb + aanaawaa (n) gid (initial vowel) gim (initial b) |
| wiinawaa | them | o + verb + aanaawaa (n) |
Take a look at the following examples. Try to identify:
- 5 root verbs
- The pronoun prefixes and suffixes on each verb
- 3 plural nouns
- An example of past and future tense
- Niwii-minikwaadaan doodooshaaboo. I will drink milk.
- Mazinaabikiwebiniganan ina giwaabandaanan? Do you see the computers?
- Nathon onoondaan giigidoo-biiwaabikoons. Nathon hears the phone.
- Ginisidotaamin inaakonigewinan. We understand the treaties.
- Dibaajimowinan ina gigii-nisidotaanaawaan? Did yous understand the stories?
Bizindan (Listen to It)
Listen to and read the following conversation. Do you recognize any vocabulary or word parts?