diimáás

Navajo

Etymology

di- (inceptive) + -yi- (transitional) + -∅- (3rd person subject prefix) + -∅- (classifier) + -máás (imperfective stem of root -MÁÁZ, “to roll”).

The stem -máás (“globular, spherical, ball-like shape”) is cognate with -bą́ą́z (“hooplike, ringlike shape”), and they have the same origin, which possibly is Proto-Athabaskan *wątsʼ (“roll”).

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /tìːmáːs/

Verb

diimáás

(with dah) he/she/it starts off rolling

Conjugation

Paradigm: Transitional (yii/yii).

IMPERFECTIVE	singular	duoplural	plural
1st person	diismáás	diiʼmáás	dadiiʼmáás
2nd person	diimáás	doohmáás	dadoohmáás
3rd person	diimáás		dadiimáás
4th person	jidiimáás		dazhdiimáás

PERFECTIVE	singular	duoplural	plural
1st person	diimááz	diiʼmááz	dadiiʼmááz
2nd person	dinimááz	doomááz	dadoomááz
3rd person	diimááz		dadiimááz
4th person	jidiimááz		dazhdiimááz

Verbal stems

ITERATIVE: -mas
OPTATIVE: -máás

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