neu / zeu
Myself, Yourself: Neu, Zeu
The intensive pronouns neu, zeu, geu, zeuek are strong forms of ni, zu, gu, zuek: Neuk egingo dut (I will do it myself).
How It Works
1. The forms. Each strong form is built from the ordinary pronoun in ni, zu, gu, zuek:
- ni → neu, neuk, neuri, neure
- zu → zeu, zeuk, zeuri, zeure
- gu → geu, geuk, geuri, geure
- zuek → zeuek, zeuek (doer), zeuei, zeuen
The doer needs the ergative -k as usual: neuk, not neu, with egin dut. Other accepted sets exist, such as nerau, zerori and gerok, but neu, zeu, geu are the most widespread. For the third person, bera and berak play this role.
2. When to use them.
- In the focus spot right before the verb (see the focus): Neuk egingo dut. (I will do it, not someone else.)
- After ere: Geuk ere badakigu. (We know it too.)
- In pairs: Ni neu joango naiz. (I will go myself.)
3. Own: neure, zeure, geure. These mean my own, your own, our own: Neure begiz ikusi dut. (I have seen it with my own eyes.) They also form the reflexive: neure burua (myself), like bere burua.
4. When to use the ordinary forms. Use ni, zu, gu, zuek when calling someone (Zu, Maria, etorri hona!), in questions with a question word (Nor naiz ni?) and usually in negative sentences.
Regional note: Western speakers use the strong forms a lot. Eastern speakers use them less, and Nik egingo dut is also correct.
Examples (6)
- Neuk egingo dut.
I will do it myself.
neuk is the doer form, in the focus spot before the verb.
- Zeu zara!
It is you!
- Zeuk esan didazu.
You told me yourself.
- Geuk ere badakigu.
We know it too.
The strong form is common after ere.
- Ni neu joango naiz.
I will go myself.
- Neure begiz ikusi dut.
I have seen it with my own eyes.
neure means my own.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out the doer ending.
Neu egingo dut.Neuk egingo dut.egin dut has a doer, so the pronoun needs -k: neuk, just like nik.
Using the strong form to call someone.
Zeu, Maria, etorri hona!Zu, Maria, etorri hona!When you call or address someone, use the ordinary pronoun zu.
Using the strong form with a question word.
Nor naiz neu?Nor naiz ni?In questions with nor, zer, non and the like, the ordinary pronoun is used.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Intensive pronouns follow the reflexive.
Related Patterns
- ni / zu / hura / gu / zuek / haiekPersonal Pronouns
The ordinary pronouns that neu, zeu, geu and zeuek strengthen.
Level 1 - The Focus Goes Before the Verb
Strong pronouns usually stand in the focus spot.
Level 1 - -kThe Ergative Case -k
The doer forms neuk, zeuk and geuk take the ergative ending.
Level 1 - bere / harenHis Own or Someone Else's
bere is the third-person partner of neure and zeure.
Level 2 - -xeExactly This: -xe
Another way to add emphasis: hauxe, horixe.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice neu / zeu in Bubblegum
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