dhè (Relational Particle)
dhè
dhè
Grammatical function
- Particle type: Relational Particle (NPCP)
- Function: Topic / Patient Marker (Passive Voice Indicator)
- Meaning: Marks the preceding noun as the primary focus of the sentence and the receiver of the action. It promotes the Object to the Topic position (O-S-V structure).
Usage Notes
Used to construct the Passive Voice. The noun marked by dhè is the semantic patient but functions as the syntactic topic.
- Structure:
dhè [Patient] + [Agent] + [Verb]
Pronunciation
IPA: /ðə/
Pitch Accent
- Morae: dhè
- Pattern:
L - Class:
atonal
Example sentences
Example 1
- Asaxi: dhè kjèpo tom zèchỏnů.
- English: Standard Passive: The tree was chopped by Tom. (Lit: As for the tree, Tom chopped).
- Polish: x
Example 2
- Asaxi: dhè shěso zètopù.
- English: Agentless Passive: The book was dropped.
- Polish: x
Alternative Forms
x
Etymology
A phonological shift from då (Recipient/Beneficiary) and to (Subject). It combines the “Receiving” nature of då with the “Topic” status of to.
Synonyms
x
Antonyms
- to (Subject / Agent Marker).
Derived terms
- (no compounds attested) — see [[38_Passive & Topicalization (
dhè)]]