hikuái

They After the Verb: Hikuái

Level 1

Hikuái means they, and it always comes after the verb.

How It Works

The verb prefix o- does not show number. Og̃uahẽ can mean “he arrived”, “she arrived” or “they arrived”. Add hikuái “they” after the verb when you want to make clear that it is more than one.

GuaraniMeaning
Og̃uahẽ.He, she or they arrived.
Og̃uahẽ hikuái.They arrived.

Hikuái is a word of its own, so it is written apart from the verb. It follows the verb and never comes before it. It is also optional. It helps when the sentence could be misunderstood.

With a verb and an object, hikuái comes right after the verb: Oñangareko hikuái nde rógare “They take care of your house”.

The other word for “they” is haʼekuéra, which can stand in front of the verb.

Examples (5)

  1. Og̃uahẽ hikuái.

    They arrived.

    Hikuái follows the verb.

  2. Oikuaa hikuái.

    They know.

    Without hikuái, oikuaa could be one person.

  3. Ou hikuái.

    They are coming.

    The short verb ou, then hikuái.

  4. Okaru hikuái oñondive.

    They eat together.

    Hikuái comes right after the verb, before the other words.

  5. Oñangareko hikuái nde rógare.

    They take care of your house.

    Hikuái sits between the verb and its object.

Common Mistakes

  • Putting hikuái before the verb.

    Hikuái og̃uahẽ
    Og̃uahẽ hikuái

    Hikuái is placed after the verb, never in front.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

hikuáiLevel 1They After the Verb: Hikuái

Learn This First

Hikuái is a plural they that sits after the verb, so learners need the plural pronouns and the word order.

Words in This Pattern

hikuái