Zarma Verb "jirbi" — to sleep

jirbi

to sleep

Type

Stative verb

Patterns

6 tense/aspect forms

Completive (Past)

The unmarked (bare) verb form expresses completed actions — the default past tense.

Completive (past)

Structure: Subject + jirbi

Ay jirbi.

I slept.

Incompletive (Habitual)

The marker "ga" before the verb expresses habitual or general present actions.

Habitual marker: ga

Structure: Subject + ga + jirbi

Ay ga jirbi.

I sleep (regularly).

Progressive (Ongoing)

The marker "go ga" expresses actions currently in progress.

Progressive marker: go ga

Structure: Subject + go ga + jirbi

Ay go ga jirbi.

I am sleeping.

Future

The marker "ma" before the verb expresses future actions or intentions.

Future marker: ma

Structure: Subject + ma + jirbi

Ay ma jirbi.

I will sleep.

Negative (Habitual)

The marker "si" negates habitual or present actions.

Negative habitual marker: si

Structure: Subject + si + jirbi

Ay si jirbi.

I don't sleep.

Negative (Past)

The marker "mana" negates completed past actions.

Negative past marker: mana

Structure: Subject + mana + jirbi

Ay mana jirbi.

I didn't sleep.

Imperative (Commands)

Singular uses the bare verb. Plural adds wa before the verb.

Form	Zarma
Singular (you)	Jirbi!
Plural (you all)	Wa jirbi!

Example Sentences

Izo go ga jirbi.

The child is sleeping.

Ay mana jirbi hanna.

I didn't sleep last night.

Koy jirbi!

Go to sleep!