Articles on Tibetan Grammar

1. Introduction

2. Formation of the Tibetan Syllable

3. Formation of the Tibetan Word

4. First case: ming tsam

5. La don particles

6. La don particlesNotes

7. Originative case

8. Verbs

9. VerbsNotes

10. Syntactic particles

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Tibetan Grammar - First case 'ming tsam' - justthe name

From Rigpa Wiki

WORK IN PROGRESS: the grammar articles are being edited for wiki publication. During editing, thecontent might be incomplete, out of sequence or even misleading.

by Stefan J. E.

Contents

1 First Case, , just the name1.1 Independent of verb type

1.1.1 Topic1.1.1.1 Enumeration, section heading, title

1.1.1.2 Proleptic1.1.2 Temporal nominative

1.1.3 In compound words

1.1.3.1 Adjective/verb - adjective/verb

1.1.3.2 Noun - adjective

1.1.4 Apposition1.1.5 Nouns in a list - nominalized clauses in a list

1.2 Dependent on verb type

1.2.1 Linking verb

1.2.2 Verbs of existence1.2.3 Verbs of possession I

1.2.4 Intransitive verbs1.2.5 Transitive verbs

1.2.6 Ditransitive verbs

1.2.7 Verbs with noticeable grammar: verbs of

necessity; verbs of absence and "presence"

1.2.7.1 Verbs of necessity

1.2.7.2 Verbs of absence and "presence"

1.3 Endnotes

First Case, , just the name

Also called: nominative case, "no particle", accusative case, patient role particle "-". This case does not addany particle to the word or changes it any way.

Independent of verb type

Topic

Enumeration, section heading, title

first

firstly

Proleptic

Proleptic: anticipatory

Brahmin poor householder food cloths gave

(Regarding) that poor Brahmin, the householder gave food and cloth to that (one).The householder gave food and cloth to that poor Brahmin.

Temporal nominative

Temporal nominative can also be viewed as a very frequently omitted locative (la don) of time.

same as: there stayed time there stayed time la don

at the time of staying there

same as: that time that time la don

at that (point in) time

to be happy, glad v.i.

past pres. fut. imp.

to be joyful

to enjoyv.i.

past pres. fut. imp.

In compound words

Note: See also "Formation of the Tibetan Words - compounded nouns".

Adjective/verb - adjective/verb

happy joyful

happy

from: adjective, noun, verb:

joyful, happy; joy; to be happy, glad, pleased, to take joy in

joyful

to be joyful, to enjoy

Tibet language

Tibetan language

Noun - adjective

A noun-adjective combination becomes either just a noun with an adjective (see: " adjectives") or a new

word.

bottom, depth deep

very deep; profound

extent big

vast, extensive

Apposition

Buddha all knowing foot two main kaya three knowledge five being highest victorious Bhagavan

The Buddha, the Omniscient One, Chief of Humans (bipeds), Victorious One, [Possessor of] the ThreeKayas, the One with the Five Knowledges, Lord of Beings, Victorious One, Bhagavan[...]

Nouns in a list - nominalized clauses in a list

Buddha Dharma assembly element enlightenment qualities enlightened activity final

The Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, element, enlightenment, qualities and finally enlightened activity

cause elements great four earth element solid and base to hold action do water element liquid and draw together

fire element warmth and mature wind element move and increase do

Causal [forms] are the four great elements. The earth element is solid and is performing the function ofsupport. The water element is liquid and cohesion. The fire element is warmth maturing. The wind element is

moving and increasing.

Dependent on verb type

Most verbs have their patient in ming tsam.

See: Verb Notes, 1.2.1 patient; Verbs, 2 introduction to classifications of verbs according to their grammar;Verb Notes, 1.2 patient / subject-object / valency: advantages and problems;

Linking verb

Patient (subject): ming tsam, qualifier: ming tsam, strict first patientthen qualifier word order

to arise v.i.

past pres. fut. imp.

to go v.i.

/ past pres. fut. imp.

red colour is

Red is [a] colour.

Verbs of existence

Patient: ming tsam, qualifierplace of existence: la don

barren women son not exist

The barren womens son does not exist.

Verbs of possession I

Patientwhat is owned: ming tsam, qualifierpossessor: la don

I bos grunniens have

I have yaks.

Intransitive verbs

Patient (subject): ming tsam, qualifier: la don

sun arose

The sun arose.

he Lhasa went

He went to Lhasa.

to teach v.t.

past pres. fut. imp.

to give v.t.

past pres. fut. imp.

to need v.i.

past pres. fut. imp.

Transitive verbs

Agent (subject): agentive particle, patient (object): ming tsam

Buddha Dharma taught

The Buddha taught the Dharma.

Ditransitive verbs

Agent (subject): agentive particle, patient (object): ming tsam, recipient (indirect object)[1]: la don

doctor the ill medicine give

The doctor gives medicine to the ill.

Verbs with noticeable grammar: verbs of necessity; verbs of absence and"presence"

Verbs of necessity

Qualifierthat which needs: la don, patientthat what is needed: ming tsam

sprouts water need

Sprouts need water.

In Tibetan, the patient (subject) of the verb , to need, is that what is needed, it performs the action tobe needed, (the "water" in the example). What or whom needs is the qualifier (the "sprouts"). This is different inEnglish where the patient (subject) of the verb "to need" is the one who needs something. E.g. In "He needswater", "he" is the patient (subject).

to be empty v.i.

past pres. fut. imp.

Verbs of absence and "presence"

That which is absent / "present": agentive, that which is absent of something: ming tsam

land water empty

the land is empty of water

Endnotes

1. also called "addressee" and "beneficiary"

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