Nya- means "when"
When asking "when did x happen?" you use the question words ma'yum or kumyum.
When saying "when" to set the context for something else, as in, "when x happened, y also happened," you use the prefix nya-, meaning "when, as, while".
Nya- is placed on a verb, to which you will usually also add the suffix -ch, -k, -m, or -km.
-ch if the verb with nya- has the same subject as the verb after it
-k if the verb with nya- has the same subject as the verb after it, and both verbs are in the future tense
-m if the verb with nya- has a different subject from the verb after it
-km or -kem if the verb with nya- has a different subject from the verb after it, and both verbs are in the future
Below we will review numerous examples of nya- with each of these suffixes.
When saying "when" to set the context for something else, as in, "when x happened, y also happened," you use the prefix nya-, meaning "when, as, while".
Nya- is placed on a verb, to which you will usually also add the suffix -ch, -k, -m, or -km.
-ch if the verb with nya- has the same subject as the verb after it
-k if the verb with nya- has the same subject as the verb after it, and both verbs are in the future tense
-m if the verb with nya- has a different subject from the verb after it
-km or -kem if the verb with nya- has a different subject from the verb after it, and both verbs are in the future
Below we will review numerous examples of nya- with each of these suffixes.
Nya- with no suffix
Sometimes, nya- is added to a verb, and no suffixes are used with it. Some examples:
'Iipall nyanesoom, kuphaall wemuull.
When summer was over, they gathered acorns.
Pily kuphaall nya'emuullh 'uunyaavi.
Now when we collect acorns, it's in the road.
'Iipall nyanesoom, kuphaall wemuull.
When summer was over, they gathered acorns.
Pily kuphaall nya'emuullh 'uunyaavi.
Now when we collect acorns, it's in the road.
Nya- with -ch: same subject
Nya- and -ch on a verb mean that the subject of the verb with nya- and the verb after it are the same. -ch also means it is in the normal "realis" mood, indicating ongoing or completed action.
Nyanekemichech, tuupaa.
When they got back, they cracked acorns.
Puuch nyaewuuwch, wenuw.
When he saw it, he ran.
'Ewily nya'etopmch 'ephar 'etoo.
When I threw a rock, I hit a rabbit.
Nyapaach, welyakch hemaas.
When he got there, he lied down and went to sleep.
(hemaa means "sleep" and "go to sleep")
Nyayipch, nyaapum puum waam.
When he heard it, then he went away to there.
Nyawemannch, 'uuchuch ewuuwh umaaw.
When he got up, he didn't see anything.
Puuch nyaewuuw tewaach, wettukch, wehap 'ehaavu.
As he was looking, he jumped and went into the water.
Nya'ehemilhch 'amps; nya'enyekuuych, 'amph 'emaaws.
When I was young, I used to walk; now that I'm old, I don't walk anymore.
When I was young-ch I walked, when I'm old-ch, I don't walk.
(The "now" and "anymore" are implicit)
Nya- followed by "nyaapum" can mean "once" or "after":
Nyawesuwch, nyaapum 'iikwichvech nyinyuy yuuhanhlly war.
After they ate, the man tried to fix it again.
When they ate, then the man tried to fix it again.
Nyanekemichech, tuupaa.
When they got back, they cracked acorns.
Puuch nyaewuuwch, wenuw.
When he saw it, he ran.
'Ewily nya'etopmch 'ephar 'etoo.
When I threw a rock, I hit a rabbit.
Nyapaach, welyakch hemaas.
When he got there, he lied down and went to sleep.
(hemaa means "sleep" and "go to sleep")
Nyayipch, nyaapum puum waam.
When he heard it, then he went away to there.
Nyawemannch, 'uuchuch ewuuwh umaaw.
When he got up, he didn't see anything.
Puuch nyaewuuw tewaach, wettukch, wehap 'ehaavu.
As he was looking, he jumped and went into the water.
Nya'ehemilhch 'amps; nya'enyekuuych, 'amph 'emaaws.
When I was young, I used to walk; now that I'm old, I don't walk anymore.
When I was young-ch I walked, when I'm old-ch, I don't walk.
(The "now" and "anymore" are implicit)
Nya- followed by "nyaapum" can mean "once" or "after":
Nyawesuwch, nyaapum 'iikwichvech nyinyuy yuuhanhlly war.
After they ate, the man tried to fix it again.
When they ate, then the man tried to fix it again.
Nya- with -m: different subjects
Nya- with -m means the verb with -m has a different subject from the verb that comes after it. Look to the verb to see who is performing each action. If the suffix is -m alone, it is in the realis mood.
Nyapellyemaam, nyaapuum achepaach.
When it was cooked, then they took it off (the fire).
Once it was cooked, they took it off.
Nya'echweyuuwm, 'iipayvech mushemush yewips.
When he sang, the people smiled hearing him.
Nya'enyemetoom, 'emii.
When you hit me, I cried.
Nyanyeselyuwelyuum, muusay.
When I tickle you, you laugh.
'Enyaach nya'ewuuwm 'aawas tewaa.
When I saw it, it was misting.
Nyamaaykallym, 'iikwichvech wemann.
When it was morning, the man got up.
Nyaumem, 'aaskay nesoom.
When she looked over there, the pot was gone.
Nyahiichurm, 'ewaavelly pehemach
When it's winter, they sleep in the house.
Nyapellyemaam, nyaapuum achepaach.
When it was cooked, then they took it off (the fire).
Once it was cooked, they took it off.
Nya'echweyuuwm, 'iipayvech mushemush yewips.
When he sang, the people smiled hearing him.
Nya'enyemetoom, 'emii.
When you hit me, I cried.
Nyanyeselyuwelyuum, muusay.
When I tickle you, you laugh.
'Enyaach nya'ewuuwm 'aawas tewaa.
When I saw it, it was misting.
Nyamaaykallym, 'iikwichvech wemann.
When it was morning, the man got up.
Nyaumem, 'aaskay nesoom.
When she looked over there, the pot was gone.
Nyahiichurm, 'ewaavelly pehemach
When it's winter, they sleep in the house.
Nya- on helping verbs
Nya- and -ch/-m can go on helping verbs like tewaa and tewam.
Nyata'amch, 'ewuuws.
While I was around, I saw him.
Nyatenaam rrweed welluh tuushup.
As they were going, a wheel came off and fell.
Nyatewaam nyaapum siny 'elymaamvech weyiw.
While she was around, then a girl came.
Nyatenamem, 'elymaam kwa'stikvech melay.
As they were around, the little child died.
Nyatuuyaqm 'iikwich 'ehinch nyuk welyak tuuyaq.
When he was lying down, another man was already lying.
Nyata'amch, 'ewuuws.
While I was around, I saw him.
Nyatenaam rrweed welluh tuushup.
As they were going, a wheel came off and fell.
Nyatewaam nyaapum siny 'elymaamvech weyiw.
While she was around, then a girl came.
Nyatenamem, 'elymaam kwa'stikvech melay.
As they were around, the little child died.
Nyatuuyaqm 'iikwich 'ehinch nyuk welyak tuuyaq.
When he was lying down, another man was already lying.
Nya- with -ch vs. -m
Compare the meanings of the sentences below when they use -ch vs. -m with nya-.
Note that some verbs cannot change from -ch to -m without changing the verb's person.
Note that some verbs cannot change from -ch to -m without changing the verb's person.
Nyata'amch, 'ewuuws.
While I was around, I saw him. Nyanekemichech, tuupaa. When they got back, they cracked acorns. Puuch nyaewuuwch, wenuw. When he saw it, he ran. 'Ewily nya'etopmch 'ephar 'etoo. When I threw a rock, I hit a rabbit. Nyapaach, welyakch hemaas. When he got there, he lied down and went to sleep. 'Amp nyata'amch, 'ewuuws. As I was walking, I saw him. Nya'enyemetooch, memii. When you hit me, you cried. Nyanyeselyuwelyuuch, 'uusay. When I tickle you, I laugh. Maach maak mekenaamhs. You will go and call out to him. |
Nyatewamem, 'ewuuws.
While he was around, I saw him. Nyanekemichem, tuupaa. When they got back, they (other people) cracked acorns. Puuch nyaewuuwm, wenuw. When he saw it, it ran. 'Ewily nya'etopmem 'ephar wetoo. When I threw a rock, it hit a rabbit. Nyapaam, welyakch hemaas. When she got there, he lied down and went to sleep. 'Amp nyata'amem, ewuuws. As I was walking, he saw it. Nya'enyemetoom, 'emii. When you hit me, I cried. Nyanyeselyuwelyuum, muusay. When I tickle you, you laugh. Maach maakm mekenaamhs. You will go and he will call out to you. |
Nya with -k: future events
-k goes on verbs with nya- when both the nya- verb and the verb after it are in the future and have the same subject.
Nyamaak 'etaat mewuuwh.
When you go, you will see my father.
Nya'aamk, 'epuwkh umaawh.
When I leave, I won't come back.
Nya'enaamk, 'ehuumaayph umaawh.
When we leave, we won't look for him.
'Enyaach nya'emelayk, 'emaayem 'aah.
When I die, I will go to heaven.
Nyamaak 'etaat mewuuwh.
When you go, you will see my father.
Nya'aamk, 'epuwkh umaawh.
When I leave, I won't come back.
Nya'enaamk, 'ehuumaayph umaawh.
When we leave, we won't look for him.
'Enyaach nya'emelayk, 'emaayem 'aah.
When I die, I will go to heaven.
Nya- with -km
-km or -kem can be used on nya- verbs if it and the next verb are in the future, but they have different subjects.
Shawii nya'echuwkm, wemaah.
When I make shawii, he will eat it.
Nyamaakm 'etaatch mewuuwh.
When you go, my father will see you.
Nyamaamkem 'esuwh.
When you go away, we'll eat.
Kupiihaawch nyaweyiwkm, 'emuullh.
When autumn comes, we'll gather acorns.
Shawii nya'echuwkm, wemaah.
When I make shawii, he will eat it.
Nyamaakm 'etaatch mewuuwh.
When you go, my father will see you.
Nyamaamkem 'esuwh.
When you go away, we'll eat.
Kupiihaawch nyaweyiwkm, 'emuullh.
When autumn comes, we'll gather acorns.
Nya- with commands
Nya- is frequently used with commands or imperatives to say when the ordered action is to take place. In these cases the nya- verb usually takes -k or -km, as the action is in the future.
Nya'enaamk, kesaaw!
When we leave, you eat!
Tekemakem nyamaak, 'iipay 'ehmiiym 'Iipay Aa kaayp!
When you go to Mesa Grande, speak 'Iipay Aa with a lot of people!
Nya'enaamk, kesaaw!
When we leave, you eat!
Tekemakem nyamaak, 'iipay 'ehmiiym 'Iipay Aa kaayp!
When you go to Mesa Grande, speak 'Iipay Aa with a lot of people!