# Cherokee/Verbs

As this page is under construction, it may be useful for now to refer to the "Verbs (Raw)" tab in this sheet:

## On Memorization

It is useful to memorize bare roots of verbs. It is also useful to memorize the conjugation class of each verb.
Regarding memorizing exceptions ...
There may be exceptions in individual verbs, mostly in regards to tone or vowel length in a particular suffix. The use of the minor high (H2) in stems also depends on the specific stem. However, it is probably not worth your time to stress over such details, for there is considerable dialectal and idiolectal (i.e. personal) variation in the realm of verb conjugation, and in general, in Cherokee. I would recommend trying to memorize and internalize just the typical stems suffixes (and not the exceptions).

## Key

Key :
| Symbol | Meaning | Notes |
| i̊ | major high | Using "i" to demonstrate. The vowel with the circle diacritic carries a major high (H1) toneme. Read more about H1and other tones here, on the Tone in Cherokee page (listed under the Phonology heading in the Grammar section on the main page). |
| í | other high | Using "i" to demonstrate. The vowel with the acute accent carries a high tone. In citing suffixes and even some verb roots this refers to a high tone not attributed to the major high. It could be the minor high (H2) or a random high tone associated with the suffix or verb. |
| : | previous vowel lengthens | Lengthening of the previous vowel (which would be found in the pronominal or reflexive/middle prefix) is considered equivalent to a phoneme (meaningful sound-related element) in the Cherokee. |
| O | transitive ("Object") | Used to clarify the meaning of certain verbs whose transitivity is ambiguous in English, as transitive (object-taking). For example, "rip" may refer to a piece of paper ripping, or someone ripping something. With the specification "rip O," it becomes clear that it refers to someone ripping something rather than something ripping itself or being ripped (which would be the intransitive version). |
| (i) | intransitive | Used to clarify that the verb is considered intransitive, i.e. the opposite of "O". |
| rev | reversive | Verb uses a reversive derivational suffix. |
| (bi) | aspiration NA | Aspiration consideration is not applicable due to the set B verb being intransitive. |
| lr | lowfall resonant aspiration class | |
| gs | special glottal aspiration class | |

## General Patterns of the Conjugation Classes

Conjugation class is a property of each verb that identifies which suffixes are attached to the root to create the five stems of the verb. The table below lists the usual suffixes for the five stems for each conjugation class.
Typical Stem Suffixes for the Conjugation Classes :
| Conjugation Class | Present Continuous | Immediate | Incompletive | Completive | Deverbal Noun | Major High on Infinitive |
| 1a | íh | a | iisg | vvh | vhd | no |
| 1b | ih | a | isg | ahn | ohd | |
| 1c | i̊q | v̊–ga | i̊–sg | å–n | o̊–d | |

## List of Verbs

In the Set column, only set A ga- verbs and set B verbs are marked. If unmarked, set A a- is assumed. This is because set A a- verbs are the most common.
The Special column identifies necessary information for using the verb. The Notes column is for information that may be useful but is not strictly necessary.
List of Verbs (All) :
| Prefixes | Set | Root | Special | Conjugation | Meaning | Notes |
| | | ali-dl | | 1a | boil (i) | ali + dl |
| | | (a)nå–gal | | 1a | be lightning | |
| | ga | :jagal | | 1a | rip O | |
| | ga | qniiy | | 1a | catch, arrest O; play catcher | |
| | | åagoon | | 1a | target-practice (i) | |
| d | | aaliiyo̊os | | 1a | change >socks | |
| | | åasees | | 1a | withdraw O, pull out (>drawer) | |
| | | atlawiid | gs | 1a | take off flying, fly away | |
| d | | agaleen | pl only | 1a | (they) separate | |
| | | akwiy | gs | 1a | pay (>money) | |
| | | alå–sgal | | 1a | play ball (i) | |
| | | aleen | | 1a | begin O | |
| | | al[i]-sdeel | | 1a | help (generally) (i) | |
| | | adaa-jagal | | 1a | rip (i) | |
| | | ad-aleen | | 1a | begin (i) | |
| | b | adeetiy | (bi) | 1a | have a birthday (i) | |
| | | adiid | | 1a | rise from a prone position | |
| | bw | aduul | | 1a | want O | |
| | ga | hnå–sdeedl | lr | 1a | root out O | |
| | ga | hne̊egwad | lr | 1a | pry O | |
| | | hwaht | lr | 1a | find S/AN | |
| | | hwiid | lr | 1a | take S s.w. | |
| | | hyan | lr | 1a | call, invite; receive, get AN | |
| | | hyvsgiiy | lr | 1a | choke O | |
| d | | g[a]htl | lh | 1a | shell >corn | |
| d | | kaneehy | lr | 1a | untie O | rev |
| | | gvvhal | | 1a | cut, slice S | confirm S |
| | ga | l | | 1a | take LG out of a container | |
| | ga | nå–hwt | asp? | 1a | find FL | |
| | ga | nå–wiid | | 1a | take AN/FL s.w. | |
| | ga | neehwaht | | 1a | find LQ | |
| | ga | neehwid | | 1a | take LQ s.w. | |
| | ga | ne̊egal | | 1a | peel, skin O | |
| | ga | nvvgal | | 1a | clean O | |
| | | sdeel | | 1a | help O | |
| | | dl | | 1a | draw LQ out of container | |
| | ga | vhdl | uwv | 1a | sharpen O | |
| | | y | lr? | 1a | pick up LG | |
| | | yvvhwaht | lr | 1a | find LG | |
| | | | | 1b | | |
| | | | | 1b | | |
| | | | | 1b | | |
| | | | | 1b | | |