Editing Manchu language (section)

===== Finite forms =====
The Manchu finite verbal forms are set apart from others by the fact that they can function ''only'' as heads of the predicate in an independent clause. (As already mentioned, some participles can have the same function, but they are not limited to it.) All Manchu [[Realis mood|indicative]] verbal forms seem to be derived from non-finite ones such as participles and converbs.<ref>(Gorelova 2002: 285–286)</ref>

====== Imperfect indicative ======
The imperfect is formed with the suffix ''-mbi'', which is derived from the imperfect converb ending ''-me'' and the copula verb ''-bi'' "to be". This is the dictionary form of the verb. The meaning of the form is of present or future tense.<ref>Gorelova 2002, 286ff.; Haenisch 1986, 56f.; Möllendorff 1892, 9.</ref> It can express usual, frequent, generic actions, concrete actions in the present, or actions in the future:
{{interlinear
| indent = 4|indahūn dobori tuwahiya-mbi coko erde hūla-mbi|dog night keep.guard-IMPERF chicken early.in.the.morning sing-IMPERF|"A dog keeps guard at night, a rooster crows early in the morning."
}}{{interlinear
| indent = 4|bi hergen be ara-mbi|I character ACC write-IMPERF|"I am writing characters."
}}

{{interlinear
| indent = 4|si aibi-de gene-mbi|you where-DAT go-IMPERF|"Where are you going?"
}}{{interlinear
| indent = 4|i inenggi ji-mbi-o jide-rakū-n|he day come-IMPERF-INTERR come-PTCP.NEG-INTERR|"Will he come today or not?"
}}

====== Perfect indicative ======
The perfect indicative form in ''-habi/-hebi/-hobi'' is derived from the perfect participle in ''-ha/-he/-ho'' and the copula verb ''-bi'' "to be". It expresses an action in the past:<ref>Gorelova 2002, 290; Haenisch 1986, 57; Möllendorff 1892, 9.</ref> ''arahabi'' "I wrote, I have written."
{{interlinear
| indent = 4|nimanggi i elden de bithe hūla-habi|snow GEN light DAT book read-PERF|"One read books by the light (reflected) in snow."
}}
The second part of the suffix, originating from the copula verb ''bi-'', can also be replaced by ''kai'': ''alahabi'', ''alaha kai'' "narrated".<ref>Gorelova 2002, 291.</ref>

'''Frequentative indicative'''

The form in ''-mbihebi'' is derived from the durative participle and the verb ''bi-'' "to be". It expresses usual and frequent actions in the distant past:

{{interlinear|hūwangheo beye nimala fata-mbihebi|Empress self mulberry.tree pick-{{gcl|FREQ}}|"The Empresses themselves used to pick berries from the mulberry tree"
| indent = 4
}}