Adding Tense to Fijian Sentences---The past---Now---The future

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There are 4 main ways of adding tense to Fijian sentences.  Will use the the Verb Lako which means to go to illustrate the different tense markers.


Sa is present tense--- the action described in the sentence is about or has already happened
A   is the past tense---the action has already happened
Na  is the future tense---the action has not yet taken place
Se is an emphatic present tense---It is to say that the action is in motion while speaking.


Tense markers typically always go just before the verb.  The below sentences are three parts
pronoun+tense marker+verb 

oiau sa lako-----------------I am going
oiau a lako------------------I went 
oiau na lako----------------I will go
oiau se lako qo-----------I am going right now


(example---A Fijian could say "Au sa lako" "which really means, im getting ready to start leaving now once we've all said goodbye properly.  Se is more commonly used when some one is inquring as to what you are doing in that moment.  Someone might say on the telephone..."where are you"  ("Ko sa tiko evei!")  you would reply
"im on my way" or in Fijian, "Au se lako yani qo".  Se just gives a little more emphasis on the exact function of the verb being spoken.     


Exercise---
Get you journal and add the 4 different tense markers to these words below to make a sentence. Give the English translation as well.  This is just an introduction to Tense markers so dont expect to feel overly enlightened by the end of the exercise.  As you read Fijian text or interpret speech you will need to recognize this important lesson.  Once we learn this step we can learn other important lessons like adding direction. (so instead of saying "we will run" period, we can say "we will run to the bus stand") will save that till next lesson.  For now complete these combination below and give your English translation.  Please post your work on either this blog comment section or on the L.T.S.F. Facebook page.


Click Pronouns or Verbs to find the meaning of these words below before completing exercise 


Pronous---                  Verbs---                        

Example  
keitou                          Cici                           Keitou na cici = We will run

Oiau                            taubale
oiko                             rika
kemudrau                   solia
orau                            mate