verbinä

Verbinä is a term used in linguistic discussions to refer to a class of deverbal nouns formed from verbs by a nominalizing suffix, functioning as non-finite noun forms in some languages and in descriptions of constructed languages. The concept is primarily encountered in theoretical or hobbyist grammars rather than in widely standardized typologies.

Etymology and scope: The name blends “verb” with a suffix like -nä, a generic nominalizer used in various linguistic descriptions. Verbinä is typically presented as a way to derive nouns that denote the action or process of a verb, rather than a specific event performed by a subject. It is discussed in descriptions of both naturalistic language variation and constructed-language grammars.

Morphology and syntax: Verbinä forms are nouns that originate from verbs and may inherit noun-like properties in their respective languages. They can take determiners, adjectives, numerals, and, where relevant, case or number markings. In sentences, verbinä words can occupy typical noun positions such as subject, object, or complement, and may be coordinated with other nouns or modified by adjectives.

Semantics and usage: The primary function of verbinä is to refer to an action or process as a concept or entity. This allows speakers to discuss activities in general, talk about processes abstractly, or form nominalized references to actions within longer arguments or narratives. Related concepts include deverbal nouns and nominalization.

See also: Deverbal noun, Nominalization, Verbal noun.