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Articles on Tibetan Grammar
1. Introduction
2. Formation of the Tibetan Syllable
3. Formation of the Tibetan Word
4. First case: ming tsam
5. La don particles
6. La don particlesNotes
7. Originative case
8. Verbs
9. VerbsNotes
10. Syntactic particles
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Tibetan Grammar - First case 'ming tsam' - justthe name
From Rigpa Wiki
WORK IN PROGRESS: the grammar articles are being edited for wiki
publication. During editing, thecontent might be incomplete, out of
sequence or even misleading.
by Stefan J. E.
Contents
1 First Case, , just the name1.1 Independent of verb type
1.1.1 Topic1.1.1.1 Enumeration, section heading, title
1.1.1.2 Proleptic1.1.2 Temporal nominative
1.1.3 In compound words
1.1.3.1 Adjective/verb - adjective/verb
1.1.3.2 Noun - adjective
1.1.4 Apposition1.1.5 Nouns in a list - nominalized clauses in a
list
1.2 Dependent on verb type
1.2.1 Linking verb
1.2.2 Verbs of existence1.2.3 Verbs of possession I
1.2.4 Intransitive verbs1.2.5 Transitive verbs
1.2.6 Ditransitive verbs
1.2.7 Verbs with noticeable grammar: verbs of
necessity; verbs of absence and "presence"
1.2.7.1 Verbs of necessity
1.2.7.2 Verbs of absence and "presence"
1.3 Endnotes
First Case, , just the name
Also called: nominative case, "no particle", accusative case,
patient role particle "-". This case does not addany particle to
the word or changes it any way.
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Independent of verb type
Topic
Enumeration, section heading, title
first
firstly
Proleptic
Proleptic: anticipatory
Brahmin poor householder food cloths gave
(Regarding) that poor Brahmin, the householder gave food and
cloth to that (one).The householder gave food and cloth to that
poor Brahmin.
Temporal nominative
Temporal nominative can also be viewed as a very frequently
omitted locative (la don) of time.
same as: there stayed time there stayed time la don
at the time of staying there
same as: that time that time la don
at that (point in) time
-
to be happy, glad v.i.
past pres. fut. imp.
to be joyful
to enjoyv.i.
past pres. fut. imp.
In compound words
Note: See also "Formation of the Tibetan Words - compounded
nouns".
Adjective/verb - adjective/verb
happy joyful
happy
from: adjective, noun, verb:
joyful, happy; joy; to be happy, glad, pleased, to take joy
in
joyful
to be joyful, to enjoy
Tibet language
Tibetan language
Noun - adjective
A noun-adjective combination becomes either just a noun with an
adjective (see: " adjectives") or a new
word.
bottom, depth deep
very deep; profound
extent big
vast, extensive
-
Apposition
Buddha all knowing foot two main kaya three knowledge five being
highest victorious Bhagavan
The Buddha, the Omniscient One, Chief of Humans (bipeds),
Victorious One, [Possessor of] the ThreeKayas, the One with the
Five Knowledges, Lord of Beings, Victorious One, Bhagavan[...]
Nouns in a list - nominalized clauses in a list
Buddha Dharma assembly element enlightenment qualities
enlightened activity final
The Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, element, enlightenment, qualities
and finally enlightened activity
cause elements great four earth element solid and base to hold
action do water element liquid and draw together
fire element warmth and mature wind element move and increase
do
Causal [forms] are the four great elements. The earth element is
solid and is performing the function ofsupport. The water element
is liquid and cohesion. The fire element is warmth maturing. The
wind element is
moving and increasing.
Dependent on verb type
Most verbs have their patient in ming tsam.
See: Verb Notes, 1.2.1 patient; Verbs, 2 introduction to
classifications of verbs according to their grammar;Verb Notes, 1.2
patient / subject-object / valency: advantages and problems;
Linking verb
Patient (subject): ming tsam, qualifier: ming tsam, strict first
patientthen qualifier word order
-
to arise v.i.
past pres. fut. imp.
to go v.i.
/ past pres. fut. imp.
red colour is
Red is [a] colour.
Verbs of existence
Patient: ming tsam, qualifierplace of existence: la don
barren women son not exist
The barren womens son does not exist.
Verbs of possession I
Patientwhat is owned: ming tsam, qualifierpossessor: la don
I bos grunniens have
I have yaks.
Intransitive verbs
Patient (subject): ming tsam, qualifier: la don
sun arose
The sun arose.
he Lhasa went
He went to Lhasa.
-
to teach v.t.
past pres. fut. imp.
to give v.t.
past pres. fut. imp.
to need v.i.
past pres. fut. imp.
Transitive verbs
Agent (subject): agentive particle, patient (object): ming
tsam
Buddha Dharma taught
The Buddha taught the Dharma.
Ditransitive verbs
Agent (subject): agentive particle, patient (object): ming tsam,
recipient (indirect object)[1]: la don
doctor the ill medicine give
The doctor gives medicine to the ill.
Verbs with noticeable grammar: verbs of necessity; verbs of
absence and"presence"
Verbs of necessity
Qualifierthat which needs: la don, patientthat what is needed:
ming tsam
sprouts water need
Sprouts need water.
In Tibetan, the patient (subject) of the verb , to need, is that
what is needed, it performs the action tobe needed, (the "water" in
the example). What or whom needs is the qualifier (the "sprouts").
This is different inEnglish where the patient (subject) of the verb
"to need" is the one who needs something. E.g. In "He needswater",
"he" is the patient (subject).
-
to be empty v.i.
past pres. fut. imp.
Verbs of absence and "presence"
That which is absent / "present": agentive, that which is absent
of something: ming tsam
land water empty
the land is empty of water
Endnotes
1. also called "addressee" and "beneficiary"
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