Part B: The Verb

5. Imperfective Mode
Until now all of the verbs we have considered have had an ''imperfective'' meaning. This means that the action or condition described by the verb is still taking place.

The imperfective meaning is indicated in some verbs by a prefix he, which always occurs just before the subject pronoun.

hesbes	'I am boiling it'
hejen	'He is singing'

The imperfective is indicated in other verbs by a prefix the. occurring before the subject pronoun.

húthesa	'I am going past'
theda	'He is sitting'

The imperfective is indicated in other verbs by a prefix ne, occurring before the subject pronoun.

nösa	'I am arriving'
n®gha	'You are arriving'

(It is difficult to illustrate this prefix in a situation where it is not fused with some other sound. ) With most verbs, there is no prefix to indicate that they have an imperfective meaning.

nádher	'he is staying'
shétü	'he is eating'
eghálasna	'I am working'