Amharic Verb Conjugation:

Verbs in Amharic are conjugated according to person (first, second, third), number (singular, plural), gender (masculine, feminine), and tense (present, past, and future). This means that the verb form changes depending on who is performing the action.

What does conjugation mean?

Conjugation refers to the way verbs change form to express different tenses, moods, aspects, and sometimes the subject of the sentence. This includes variations based on:

1. 1. Tense: past, present, and future.
   2. Aspect: whether the action is completed or ongoing.
   3. Mood: Such as indicative or imperative.
   4. Person: The subject of the verb, which can include first, second, and third person
   5. Gender: Male and Female
   6. Number: Singular and Plural

We must know these 7 things about Amharic verb conjugation:

• Positive and Negative: 

Understanding conjugation is essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences in Amharic and effectively communicating actions and states.

Below are examples of how Amharic verbs are conjugated for different subjects and tenses. I’ll use the verb መብላት (meblat) – “to eat” as an example.

Verb: መብላት (meblat) – “to eat”

1. Present Tense (Imperfective)

The present tense in Amharic is used for ongoing or habitual actions. The verb is conjugated based on the subject.

Examples:

• እኔ እበላለሁ – I eat.
• እሱ ይበላል  – He eats.
• እሷ ትበላለች  – She eats.
• እኛ እንበላለን – We eat.

2. Past Tense (Perfective)

The past tense is used for completed actions. The verb conjugation changes based on the subject.

Examples:

• እኔ በላሁ (ǝne bǝlahu) – “I ate.”
• እሱ በላ (ǝsu bǝla) – “He ate.”
• እሷ በለች (ǝsswa bǝlech) – “She ate.”
• እኛ በላን (ǝñña bǝlan) – “We ate.”

3. Future Tense

The future tense is often formed using the auxiliary verb እየ (ǝye) or ነው (näw) with the main verb in the infinitive or conjugated form.

Examples:

• እኔ እበላለሁ  – I will eat.
• እሱ ይበላል – He will eat.
• እሷ ትበላለች – She will eat.
• እኛ እንበላለን – We will eat.

Key Observations:

1. Gender Distinction: In the second and third person singular, the verb changes based on the gender of the subject (masculine vs. feminine).
   • Example:
     • እሱ ይበላል  – He eats.
     • እሷ ትበላለች  – She eats.
2. Number Distinction: The verb changes for singular vs. plural subjects.
   • Example:
     • እኔ እበላለሁ  – I eat.
     • እኛ እንበላለን  – We eat.
3. Tense Distinction: The verb form changes to reflect past, present, or future actions.
   • Example:
     • እኔ በላሁ – I ate. (Past)
     • እኔ እበላለሁ  – “I eat. (Present)
     • እኔ እበላለሁ  – “I will eat. (Future)