Word Order
The subject can come before or after the verb, and a statement often has no subject word at all.
How It Works
A Guarani sentence can put the subject before or after the verb. Both orders are common, and the meaning stays the same.
| Order | Guarani | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| subject, verb | Marta og̃uahẽ. | Marta arrived. |
| verb, subject | Og̃uahẽ Marta. | Marta arrived. |
| verb only | Og̃uahẽ. | He or she arrived. |
| verb, object | Ahecháma ichupe. | I already saw him or her. |
The most common sentence is only a verb, or a verb with its object. The prefix on the verb already tells who acts, so the subject word is often left out. When the object is a person, it usually comes after the verb.
Questions keep the same order. A small word such as -pa is added: Arakaʼépa og̃uahẽ Marta? “When did Marta arrive?”
Examples (5)
- Marta og̃uahẽ.
Marta arrived.
Subject first, then the verb.
- Og̃uahẽ Marta.
Marta arrived.
Verb first, then the subject, with the same meaning.
- Ahecháma ichupe.
I already saw him or her.
The verb comes first, then the object ichupe.
- Marta ohayhu jety.
Marta loves sweet potatoes.
Subject, verb, then the object, as in English.
- Arakaʼépa og̃uahẽ Marta?
When did Marta arrive?
The question keeps the verb-subject order and adds -pa.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Moving the subject around makes sense once learners see that the verb already shows who acts.
Related Patterns
Practice Word Order in Bubblegum
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