Back to Basics Part 3
Next when looking at the basic learning of Classical Tibetan is to recognize the particles that bind together constructs. The first one that is easy to learn is the genitive. Remember that particles bind from the right to the left, so you need to reverse the word order. Also, the particles take different forms based on the last syllable, so you need to learn how they look like. Going back to the genitive:
The genitive takes the form of kyi if the first word ends with da, ba or sa. Here, chos kyi stobs, the power of dharma.
The genitive takes the form of gyi after ending na, ma, ra or la. Here: gser gyi rdo rje, the golden vajra.
The genitive is a 'i after any vowel, here, bla ma'i bkha', the instructions (or words) of the lama.
This form of yi is ancient, and usually used in verses, as here: ri yi rgyal po, King of Mountains (Mount Meru).
Note that sometimes the genitive even binds together complete sentences, so you need to box the constructs in to see the left and right side.
The genitive takes the form of kyi if the first word ends with da, ba or sa. Here, chos kyi stobs, the power of dharma.
The genitive takes the form of gyi after ending na, ma, ra or la. Here: gser gyi rdo rje, the golden vajra.
The genitive is a 'i after any vowel, here, bla ma'i bkha', the instructions (or words) of the lama.
This form of yi is ancient, and usually used in verses, as here: ri yi rgyal po, King of Mountains (Mount Meru).
Note that sometimes the genitive even binds together complete sentences, so you need to box the constructs in to see the left and right side.