ikatu
Can: Ikatu
Ikatu means “can”, and it does not change for person or number.
How It Works
Ikatu is one small word that never changes. The verb after it carries the person.
| Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ikatu apurahéi | I can sing |
| Ikatu japurahéi | we (with you) can sing |
| Ndaikatúi roho | we (without you) cannot go |
| Ndaikatúi jaha | we (with you) cannot go |
The negative is ndaikatúi. The accent mark stays, because the stress is on tu. In speech it is often shortened to ndikatúi.
To ask, add -pa: Ikatúpa reñeʼẽ mbeguemive chéve? “Could you speak a little slower to me?”
Ikatu says that something is possible. For something you know how to do, use the ending -kuaa.
Examples (5)
- Ikatu apurahéi.
I can sing.
Ikatu stays the same, and apurahéi shows that I sing.
- Ikatu japurahéi.
We can sing.
Ikatu does not change for “we”.
- Ndaikatúi roho.
We cannot go.
Ndaikatúi is the negative of ikatu.
- Arakaʼeve ndaikatúi ake nde rógape.
I can never sleep in your house.
Ndaikatúi stays in front of the verb ake.
- Ikatúpa reñeʼẽ mbeguemive chéve?
Could you speak a little slower to me?
-pa makes the question, and ikatu stays the same.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out the accent mark.
Ndaikatui roho.Ndaikatúi roho.The stress stays on tu, so the word needs its accent mark.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Ikatu stands beside a plain verb, so the plain verb comes first.
Related Patterns
- -kuaaKnowing How: -kuaa
-kuaa says that someone knows how to do something.
Level 3 - nd(a)- ... -iSaying No with Nd- and -i
The negative of ikatu follows this frame.
Level 1 - The Question Marker -pa
Add -pa to ikatu to ask a question.
Level 1 - tekotevẽMust: Tekotevẽ
Tekotevẽ is another small word that never changes.
Level 2 - -seWanting with -se
-se says that you want to do something.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice ikatu in Bubblegum
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