verbal prefix; infix; agentive prefix.
This prefix indicates focused object, indicative mood, punctiliar aspect in agentive voice. Certain verb stems also require
the suffix +-an/-han in object focus, thus making a ni- prefix and +-an suffix combination. This affix is arbitrarily used by speakers as either a prefix ni- or as the variant infix +-in- . Ni- indicates agentive construction and requires eh to mark agent when the agent is overtly stated. When no agent is mentioned, ni- often can be translated with the English infinitive form of the verb as in the first three examples below. If any affix could
be said to be the most "basic inflection of a verb", ni- is it. See the discussion in the "Grammar Notes".
Crisp cookies its taste is good to eat.
Crisp cookies are delicious eating.
[I] request [you] to take care [of him] until I am able to return.
When your robe is worn by you, even so you don't wear a sarong anymore.
If you wear your robe, you don't need to wear a sarong too.
Nibatian eh na amagdeyng.
The fishermen are being watched for by him.
He is watching for the fishermen.
Has your tooth been pulled by the dentist?
Their love surely went too far by them, even though they were prevented [unsuccessfully] by their parents.
They went too far in their loving each other, even though their parents tried to stop them.
Are you going to smoke this fish?
Are you going to be the rival of Darwisa?
What else will be resisted by you, girl?
Never mind now if I am made to die by him rather than marry.
I would rather be killed now by him than marry.
When you speak critically, oft times you will be opposed by God [and end up in an ironic situation].
[May] God cause his wrath to come upon you.
What ritual is practiced by you, [which is] the reason [that] you are not eating meat?
What kind of ritual are you doing, so that you are not eating meat?
If the ritual is surely not practiced by you day and night, [it] surely won't be effective.
If you don't do the ritual day and night, it won't be effective.
He should be treated [for] sleep imbalance.
Look! Because of that woman, even though it is stormy, rainy, [and] dark, he still is here to visit you. [The above example
is an idiomatic Sama conversation between two people. The "woman" is the same person as "you".]