Common Kai Grammar Quick Reference v0.4
Clause Order
[topic] [subject] [state/aspect/modal] [predicate] [object] [relation phrases] [time/place] [question]
Examples:
Mi e eli.= I am a being.Ti el name namo.= You are eating food.Nai an yare li noa rinan.= We will go home later.Si or vae teno li mi.= They gave the object to me.
Core Particles
| Kai | Use |
|---|---|
| e | is, exists as |
| an | future, intention, about to |
| el | unfolding, present process |
| or | completed, manifest |
| um | remembered, past |
| ra | timeless, beyond |
| li | to, toward, for, want |
| na | of, from, because |
| en | in, at, within |
| al | through, using |
| te | and, with |
| ma | please, let, may |
| ya | yes-no question |
| sai | yes |
| sha | no, not |
| vai | or |
| ri | but |
| va | that, whether |
Questions
Ti el name ya?= Are you eating?Yael en noa?= Who is at home?Ti el vae yano?= What are you giving?Ti el yare li yava?= Where are you going?Nai an yare yari?= When will we go?Ti sha el yare yana?= Why are you not going?Mi el ore yaal?= How do I make it?Yave elin en noa?= How many people are at home?
Negation
sha negates the following unit.
Mi sha el yare.= I am not going.Mi e sha miri.= I do not understand.Mi el yare sha li noa.= I am going, but not homeward.Ma sha vae vao.= Do not open the door.
Relations
Mi en noa.= I am at home.Teno te mi.= I have the object.Noa na mi.= My home.Mi el ore al alo.= I make it with a tool.Mi te ti el yare.= You and I are going.
Time
rine= now.rinum= before/past.rinan= later/future.rino= time point/date/hour.rinai= eternity.
Examples:
Mi el name rine.= I am eating now.Mi or yare rinum.= I went before.Mi an yare rinan.= I will go later.
Clause Joining
te= and/with.vai= or.ri= but.na= because.li= so that.va= that/whether.an va= if.
Examples:
Mi li yare, ri mi e sanu.= I want to go, but I am ill.Mi sha yare na mi e sanu.= I do not go because I am ill.Mi e miri va ti en noa.= I understand that you are home.An va ti el yare, mi te ti el yare.= If you go, I go with you.
Relative Clauses
Use va after the noun.
Elen va el lune en noa e teeli na mi.= The person who is speaking at home is my friend.Alo va mi or ale e niva.= The tool that I used is safe.
Modality
Draft v0.4 forms:
- want:
Mi li huno. - need:
Mi el nive huno. - can/able:
Mi e kiri li yare. - may/permitted:
Mi e vari li yare. - must:
Lano li mi yare. - should:
Sai li ti some. - might:
Mi an-vai yare.
Repair Phrases
Mi sha e miri.= I do not understand.Ma lune rin-te.= Say it again, please.Ma lune al rin shal.= Speak slowly, please.Tio e yano luni?= What does this mean?Tio e yaal en kailun?= How do you say this in Kai?