Adverbs
Adverbs are formed from most adjectives by adding -(y)ts:
Tac tagyts o. = I walk quickly.
Tac tagyts o. = I walk quickly.
Copulas
There are four copulas used in Sydáown:
The 1st copula is used for stating information that can be proven or is generally accepted as truth:
Ia Bıäÿchı sıul sai bao. = This/that fire is hot.
The 2nd copula is used for stating opinions or subjective beliefs:
Hwenıodh ädha fae. = Learning is good.
The 3rd copula is used for existential statements, corresponding to 'there is/are ___' or '___ exists' in English:
A Dwıÿeih os Gëwtıam avëih. = There are birds in the sky.
Os Baoghı, ffey Armáichı. = Evil exists as well as good.
The 4th copula is used in certain aspect/mood constructions:
An o nun ësıd gyum vıëm Bëcıam. = I often contemplate life.
The 1st and 2nd are always positioned following the described noun, while the 4th copula is treated as a verb and placed before the described noun with the corresponding conjugation ending. The 3rd copula is positioned following the described noun if the meaning is 'there is/are ___' and before the noun (not inflected) if the meaning is '___ exists'. In situations where it is not clear whether the 1st or 2nd copula is most appropriate, it is preferable to use the 2nd.
- ȿai / ȿët
- ädha / ädhët
- os / yos
- an / än
The 1st copula is used for stating information that can be proven or is generally accepted as truth:
Ia Bıäÿchı sıul sai bao. = This/that fire is hot.
The 2nd copula is used for stating opinions or subjective beliefs:
Hwenıodh ädha fae. = Learning is good.
The 3rd copula is used for existential statements, corresponding to 'there is/are ___' or '___ exists' in English:
A Dwıÿeih os Gëwtıam avëih. = There are birds in the sky.
Os Baoghı, ffey Armáichı. = Evil exists as well as good.
The 4th copula is used in certain aspect/mood constructions:
An o nun ësıd gyum vıëm Bëcıam. = I often contemplate life.
The 1st and 2nd are always positioned following the described noun, while the 4th copula is treated as a verb and placed before the described noun with the corresponding conjugation ending. The 3rd copula is positioned following the described noun if the meaning is 'there is/are ___' and before the noun (not inflected) if the meaning is '___ exists'. In situations where it is not clear whether the 1st or 2nd copula is most appropriate, it is preferable to use the 2nd.
Passive Voice
An o ayum ẅdıold thıwál ian Sıaofıachan aïm. = I am helped by my friend.
Verb Forms
There are three verb forms used in Sıydáown:
The 1st form is used for infinitives and gerunds and is the form found in the vocabulary lists:
Fabhıynadh aychıam Vıÿiöram ädha tag. = The passing of time is quick.
The 2nd form is used in certain tense/aspect/mood constructions:
Fÿ o nun ffabhıynd. = I am leaving.
The 3rd form is used to form a relative clause or to function as an adjective:
Wm o ie Bhone aïm ffÿossı nun dacd iäm. = I see my mother (who is) walking.
Ia Cıëyhwd sswıÿossı. / Ia Cıëyhwd sswıÿossıe. = The man who writes. / The writing man.
- [root] + -odh or -adh
- [root] + -d
- [root] + -ossı or -yossı
The 1st form is used for infinitives and gerunds and is the form found in the vocabulary lists:
Fabhıynadh aychıam Vıÿiöram ädha tag. = The passing of time is quick.
The 2nd form is used in certain tense/aspect/mood constructions:
Fÿ o nun ffabhıynd. = I am leaving.
The 3rd form is used to form a relative clause or to function as an adjective:
Wm o ie Bhone aïm ffÿossı nun dacd iäm. = I see my mother (who is) walking.
Ia Cıëyhwd sswıÿossı. / Ia Cıëyhwd sswıÿossıe. = The man who writes. / The writing man.