[lojban-beginners] Re: past perfect?

[Brett Williams <mungojelly@gmail.com>]

On Sun, Feb 1, 2009 at 3:25 PM, Luke Bergen <lukeabergen@gmail.com> wrote:
> I took Greek back in high school and it just occurred to me that I have yet
> to see a tense word that describes past point action.  Is there a nice
> direct way to say "I went to the store (and I have finished this act)".  "mi
> pu klama lo zarci" is vague as to whether I went and am still going or
> whether I have gone and am finished with the going.


I think perhaps you want "mi ba'o klama lo zarci".


> Also, future tense, same question.  What is "I will go to the store" vs.
> "I will be going to the store" (note the continueing action with the second
> sentence)?


I might translate "I will be going" as "mi ba ca'o klama".


The ZAhO are very useful for all sorts of complex tenses, some of
which are unique to Lojban.

Also, often in telling little stories using "ki" is even more
expressive than complex tenses.


.i ta'o je'u mi pu'o klama lo zarci
BTW, I really am about to go to the store.

.i .ai mi ba te vecnu lo kukte
I'm gonna buy something delicious.


mu'o mi'e selkik