The n is used in the Arawak language, in order to indicate “firmness or substantiality of a neutral character”. The consonants give form, firmness, to the shapeless mass indicated by the vowels; the d, t, k, m etc. do this, each in its own characteristic way; the n does the same, but without any specific character.

Ni.

a) nii-ka-n, nii-ma-n, a while, a little.

niikan n-a k-ibena-n, and after they had tarried there a space [they were let go], niiman t-adiki ajinama-ci-no yumun anda goba l-amun, and after a while came unto him they that stood by, h-ahakobu-in bia niiman, [come] and rest (ye) a while, kena lo-kwaiaba i l-icirikidi-n bia t-eribo-area niiman, and (he) prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land;

b) S. ni rubu kurru, a long time, no little, no small, not a few;

c) S. ni-kebé, to occur immediately, straightway, forthwith;

d) -ni, something that really is, or shall be, see § 25;

e) 1) ani, anye, anyi, onyi, a thing, a thing possessed; see examples in § 32, and:

alika-i koro ajia goba l-amuni-sia o-konomun, Daii a-ni toho, ma-in; to-moroa na-makwa n-anye to-makwa, neither said any of them that ought of the things he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.