Used To: -mi
-mi says “used to”: ajapomi “I used to make it”.
How It Works
This -mi looks back at the past and sees a habit: something done often, over a period of time.
| Ending | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -mi | used to, in the past | ajapomi “I used to make it” |
| -va | in the habit of, now | ajapóva “I am in the habit of making it” |
The word jepi “usually” can also mark a habit, in the past or in the present.
The Academy grammar calls this ending the imperfect past, for an action with no clear start or end. Estigarribia calls it habitual aspect, for past habits.
Two other endings look like this one: the kind request in commands and the small -mi on nouns. The rest of the word shows which one you have.
Examples (3)
- Ajapomi.
I used to make it.
Japo “make”, a- “I” and -mi for a habit in the past.
- Pyʼỹi ahami pende rógape.
I used to go to your house often.
Pyʼỹi means “often”. Aha “I go” plus -mi tells that going there was a habit.
- Che sy ojapomi chipa.
My mother used to make chipa.
O- is “she”, japo “make” and -mi “used to”.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The ending -mi places a habit in the past, so learners need jepi and -vaʼekue.
- jepiUsually: Jepi
Know jepi “usually”, because -mi is another way to say that an action happened again and again: Pyʼỹi ahami pende rógape “I used to go to your house often”.
Level 2 - Long Ago: -vaʼekue
Know -vaʼekue “long ago”, since -mi also places the habit in the past: Ajapomi “I used to make it”.
Level 3
Related Patterns
Practice Used To: -mi in Bubblegum
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