Lu - the Most Misunderstood Word
One of the most common (and commonly misunderstood) verbs in the Na’vi language is lu. It’s so important that an entire chapter is being dedicated to it!
In this chapter, we will answer these questions:
- What does lu mean?
- What are the three uses of lu?
1. “What does lu mean?”
If you look up lu in a dictionary, you are likely to find the definitions “is, am, be, or are”. While that seems like a good starting point, it can be very misleading to new learners, especially since those words are so common in the English language.
When you find a word in the dictionary, you will be provided with sufficient translations of that word when taken from Na’vi to English, NOT the other way around. This is a very important distinction! In other words, when taking Na’vi to English, a dictionary will usually point you towards the general meaning of the word. But when taking English to Na’vi, you must tread with caution.
A common adage among language learners and teachers is to “translate the meaning, not the words”. English words can often have many different meanings by themselves. For example, "right" can be a direction (turn right), something granted by law (a right to vote), correctness (she was right), and more! So, when asked to translate "Right!", simply the word itself won't do! You must be mindful of the meaning being communicated, not the words used to do so.
Lu has three different (but related) meanings, depending on its usage. Like the English word "right", the context in which it is used will point you towards its meaning.
When you find a word in the dictionary, you will be provided with sufficient translations of that word when taken from Na’vi to English, NOT the other way around. This is a very important distinction! In other words, when taking Na’vi to English, a dictionary will usually point you towards the general meaning of the word. But when taking English to Na’vi, you must tread with caution.
A common adage among language learners and teachers is to “translate the meaning, not the words”. English words can often have many different meanings by themselves. For example, "right" can be a direction (turn right), something granted by law (a right to vote), correctness (she was right), and more! So, when asked to translate "Right!", simply the word itself won't do! You must be mindful of the meaning being communicated, not the words used to do so.
Lu has three different (but related) meanings, depending on its usage. Like the English word "right", the context in which it is used will point you towards its meaning.
2. “What are the three uses of lu?”
Lu is an intransitive verb that does three things: state presence, equivalence, or ownership. Let’s cover each.
The first function of lu is stating presence. This is the one that all of the other uses derive from. To say that "there is a <thing>", or that "a <thing> is present", you simply use that noun alongside lu. Word order is flexible, but for this usage it is more common for lu to go first. The emphasis is on the specific thing that is present.
The first function of lu is stating presence. This is the one that all of the other uses derive from. To say that "there is a <thing>", or that "a <thing> is present", you simply use that noun alongside lu. Word order is flexible, but for this usage it is more common for lu to go first. The emphasis is on the specific thing that is present.
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lu tìngäzìk
there is a problem / a problem is abound |
tìngäzìk lu
there is a problem / a problem is abound |
This usage compares with two other, very similar verbs: tok, and fkeytok. The first, tok, is a transitive verb, which is used to say "(sbj.) is at (d.obj)", a location. This usage is for stating a person or thing's whereabouts- the location is the important part. Compare to fkeytok, which comes from kifkeyti tok, literally ‘be in the world’. It is used for more abstract statements of existence (or non-existence, more on negation later). This is when you want to comment on the reality of a thing. To compare all three:
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sawtute lu
there are skypeople (they are present, abound) |
sawtutel fìtsengti tok
skypeople are here (at THIS location, not elsewhere) |
sawtute fkeytok
skypeople exist (they are real, not fake) |
The second function is stating equivalence. This is when you need to say that two things are the same, or that one thing is another thing. This is as simple as including another noun or adjective alongside lu.
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oe taronyu lu
taronyu oe lu |
lu oe taronyu
lu taronyu oe |
oe lu taronyu
taronyu lu oe |
I am a hunter
You may be worried that we aren’t specifying what the subject is, given that there are two nouns in this statement. Case endings are used to clarify ambiguity- when we are saying one of these things is the other, it doesn’t matter. “A hunter is me” and “I am a hunter” mean the same thing. Like most things in Na’vi, flexible word order applies here too. Additionally, lu is an intransitive verb. It would not take a subject case ending, and cannot have a direct object!
This can also be used to state qualities of a noun, to describe it. Instead of a second noun, use an adjective. This adjective is not modified with the a from before.
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lu po kanu
lu kanu po |
kanu po lu
po kanu lu |
po lu kanu
kanu lu po |
[s]he is smart
However, this is NOT used for feelings, like hungry, tired, or happy. Instead, Na'vi has a separate verb, 'efu.
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lu po ngeyn
INCORRECT |
'efu po ngeyn
[s]he feels tired |
Think like the Na’vi!
If substituting "is/am" for "feel" makes sense in English, it's probably 'efu instead of lu.
If substituting "is/am" for "feel" makes sense in English, it's probably 'efu instead of lu.
The final use is for stating ownership. Consider the phrase “I have a bow”. There is no transitive verb for has or have. Rather, like many languages on Earth, “is/exists (thing) to (owner) ” is the way Na’vi states possession. The owner becomes the indirect object, and the thing owned is the subject.
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lu oeru tsko
lu tsko oeru |
tsko lu oeru
oeru lu tsko |
tsko oeru lu
oeru tsko lu |
there is a bow to me / I have a bow
Think like the Na’vi!
Remember the meaning of the indirect object- it is a noun that is affected by the act of a verb. An object being around (see first use of lu) affects its owner.
Remember the meaning of the indirect object- it is a noun that is affected by the act of a verb. An object being around (see first use of lu) affects its owner.
Always keep these three uses in mind when considering lu- do not use it merely as a substitute for “is/am/be/are”. The Na’vi language has its own way of expressing these ideas that will be covered in later chapters.
In Summary
1. What does lu mean?
Providing a definition of lu is difficult as it does 3 different things in Na’vi.
2. What are the three uses of lu?
Providing a definition of lu is difficult as it does 3 different things in Na’vi.
2. What are the three uses of lu?
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Stating Existence:
Stating Equivalence: Stating Ownership: |
lu <noun>
lu <noun> <noun / adj> lu <noun> <noun>ru |
Don't forget about 'efu - to feel, for emotions or states like hungry, tired, sad, happy, etc.
Also be mindful of tok - vtr, to be at a location, and fkeytok - vin, to exist.
NA'VI AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
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Adjectives
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Pronouns, Plurality, and Possession
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