The Perfective Auxiliary 'Orkhikh'
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the auxiliary 'orkhikh' after a gerund to emphasize that an action is completed entirely or definitively.
- Attach 'orkhikh' to the -j/ch gerund form: 'Bi bichij orkhov' (I finished writing it).
- It implies a sense of finality, relief, or sometimes regret depending on context.
- It conjugates like a regular verb: 'orkhino', 'orkhov', 'orkhison'.
Conjugation of 'Orkhikh'
| Form | Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Past
|
hiij orkhov
|
hiij orkhogui
|
hiij orkhov uu?
|
|
Present
|
hiij orkhino
|
hiij orkhokhgui
|
hiij orkhino uu?
|
|
Future
|
hiij orkhono
|
hiij orkhokhgui
|
hiij orkhono uu?
|
|
Imperative
|
hiij orkhi
|
hiij orkhi
|
---
|
Meanings
The verb 'orkhikh' acts as an auxiliary to indicate the perfective aspect, meaning the action is fully completed, often with a sense of 'getting it out of the way'.
Definitive Completion
Completing a task fully.
“Bi nomoo unshij orkhov.”
“Hooloo idej orkhov.”
Relief/Dismissal
Finishing something to be free of it.
“Ene asuudliig shiidj orkhoy.”
“Zahialgaa yavuulj orkhov.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Past
|
Verb-j/ch + orkhov
|
Bi unshij orkhov
|
|
Present
|
Verb-j/ch + orkhino
|
Bi unshij orkhino
|
|
Future
|
Verb-j/ch + orkhono
|
Bi unshij orkhono
|
|
Negative
|
Verb-j/ch + orkhogui
|
Bi unshij orkhogui
|
|
Question
|
Verb-j/ch + orkhov uu?
|
Chi unshij orkhov uu?
|
|
Imperative
|
Verb-j/ch + orkhi
|
Unshij orkhi!
|
Spectre de formalité
Bi ajlaa hiij orkhov. (Workplace)
Bi ajlaa hiij orkhov. (Workplace)
Ajlaa hiij orkhloo. (Workplace)
Ajlaa hiij orkhson. (Workplace)
Orkhikh Usage
Meaning
- Completion Done
- Finality End
Simple vs Perfective
Formation Flow
Verb?
Common Verbs
Actions
- • hiikh
- • unshikh
- • bichikh
Exemples par niveau
Bi nomoo unshij orkhov.
I finished reading my book.
Hooloo idej orkhoy.
I will finish eating my food.
Bi ajlaa hiij orkhov.
I finished my work.
Tasalbaraa avaad orkhov.
I bought the ticket.
Chi geree tseverlej orkhov uu?
Did you finish cleaning the house?
Bi zahialgaa yavuulj orkhison.
I had already sent the order.
Tedgeer bichgiig unshij orkhi.
Finish reading those documents.
Bi ene asuudliig shiidj orkhov.
I resolved this issue.
Odoo boloo, bi ene ajliig hiij orkhoy.
Enough, I'll just finish this work.
Tanii helesniig sonsood orkhov.
I've finished listening to what you said.
Zahialgaa hiij orkhogui bol bolohgui.
If you don't finish the order, it won't work.
Bi gertee harj orkhov.
I've arrived home (and am done traveling).
Ene tuluwlogoo-g batlaad orkhoy.
Let's just approve this plan and be done with it.
Bi buh zardlaa tootsood orkhov.
I've calculated all the expenses.
Tanii asuultand hariulaad orkhoy.
Let me finish answering your question.
Bi ene nomoo unshij orkhood, daraagiinhruu orno.
Once I finish this book, I'll move to the next.
Tuhain uyd bi buh zuiliig hiij orkhison baisan.
At that time, I had already finished everything.
Ene shiidver-iig gargaj orkhood, bid uragshlana.
Having finalized this decision, we will move forward.
Tanii sanaliig huleen avaad orkhov.
I have formally accepted your proposal.
Bi ene tuhai bodoj orkhov.
I've finished thinking about this (I'm done with it).
Tuhain tsag hugatsaand bi amjiltiin orgil-d hurch orkhov.
By that time, I had reached the pinnacle of success.
Ene niigmiin asuudliig shiidj orkhokh ni bidnii zorilgo.
Our goal is to resolve these social issues once and for all.
Bi ene tuhai yarij orkhokhgui.
I will not finish talking about this (I won't even start/deal with it).
Tanii oilgolt-iig batlaad orkhov.
I have confirmed your understanding.
Facile à confondre
Both describe past actions.
Both use -j/ch.
Both can imply future.
Erreurs courantes
Bi hiikh orkhov
Bi hiij orkhov
Bi unshij orkhogui baisan
Bi unshij orkhogui
Bi yavaad orkhov
Bi yavaad orkhov (Wait, this is correct)
Bi bodoj orkhokh
Bi bodoj orkhov
Structures de phrases
Bi ___ orkhov.
Chi ___ orkhov uu?
Bi ___ orkhono.
___ orkhokh ni minii zorilgo.
Real World Usage
Ajlaa hiij orkhov.
Bi tuluwlogoo-g batlaad orkhov.
Tasalbaraa avaad orkhov.
Hooloo zahialj orkhov.
Nomoo unshij orkhov!
Sudlagaa-g duusgaj orkhov.
Focus on the result
Don't over-use
Pair with 'odoo'
Relief factor
Smart Tips
Use 'orkhikh' to show you are done.
Use 'orkhokh' to emphasize speed.
Use it to confirm tasks.
Use it to express relief.
Prononciation
Orkhikh
The 'kh' is a velar fricative, like the 'ch' in Loch.
Falling
Bi hiij orkhov↓
Finality and certainty.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Orkhikh sounds like 'ork-heek'. Think of 'orking' (working) until you 'heek' (heck) it's done!
Association visuelle
Imagine a person slamming a book shut. The sound is 'Orkhikh!'. The book is finished.
Rhyme
When the task is done and you want to be free, add orkhikh to the verb, you'll see!
Story
Bat was tired of his homework. He wrote the last sentence, slammed his pen down, and said 'Bichij orkhov!'. He felt light as a feather.
Word Web
Défi
Write 5 sentences about things you finished today using 'orkhikh'.
Notes culturelles
Used frequently in office settings to show efficiency.
Less common, as tasks are ongoing.
Used in formal reports.
Derived from the verb 'orkhikh' (to leave/abandon).
Amorces de conversation
Chi ajlaa hiij orkhov uu?
Chi ene nomoo unshij orkhov uu?
Chi zahialgaa yavuulj orkhov uu?
Chi ene asuudliig shiidj orkhov uu?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
Bi nomoo ___ orkhov.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Bi hiikh orkhov.
Bi ajlaa hiiv.
A: Ajlaa hiiv uu? B: Tiim, ___.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Bi / orkhov / nomoo / unshij
Negative of 'hiij orkhov'?
Score: /8
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesBi nomoo ___ orkhov.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Bi hiikh orkhov.
Bi ajlaa hiiv.
A: Ajlaa hiiv uu? B: Tiim, ___.
Match: Unshikh -> ?
Bi / orkhov / nomoo / unshij
Negative of 'hiij orkhov'?
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
No, only transitive dynamic verbs.
It is neutral and used in all registers.
Yes, but not in this construction.
Orkhikh is an auxiliary; duusgakh is a main verb.
Yes, 'hiij orkhono'.
Extremely common.
People will understand, but it might sound unnatural.
No, it is standard across Mongolia.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
~te shimau
Japanese 'shimau' often implies regret.
erledigen
Mongolian uses an auxiliary construction.
terminar de
Mongolian is a compound verb.
finir de
Mongolian is more aspectual.
itamma
Mongolian is a suffix-based auxiliary.
wan
Mongolian is an auxiliary verb.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Connected Grammar
Gerunds
PrerequisiteYou need them to form the compound.
Simple Past
ContrastTo understand the aspectual difference.
Future Tense
Builds OnTo use orkhikh in the future.
Passive Voice
Advanced FormTo describe completed passive actions.
