Verb Names With i- or ị-
Prefix + root: ị + ga, i + ri. The prefix follows vowel harmony.
How It Works
The name of a verb, its infinitive, begins with i- or ị-. It is also how you say “to go” or “going”. The prefix is chosen by the vowels of the root.
| Root | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ga | ịga | to go |
| bịa | ịbịa | to come |
| gụ | ịgụ | to read |
| ri | iri | to eat |
| me | ime | to do |
In a sentence the verb usually appears as a root with endings (gara, riri) or after a helper such as na-. The word iri also means “ten”, so context decides.
Examples (5)
- ịga
to go
The root ga takes ị-.
- ịbịa
to come
Second-group root bịa takes ị-.
- iri
to eat
The first-group root ri takes i-.
- ịgụ akwụkwọ
to read, to study
The name works like a noun with its object.
- ime
to do
Me takes i-.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The front vowel is chosen by harmony, so harmony comes first.
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
gabịarigụi-