The Verb “ To Cut ” in Nias Middle Dialect : The Study of Natural Semantic Metalanguage ( NSM )

Nias middle dialect is one of dialects used by people living on Nias island that administratively belongs to North Sumatra Province of Indonesia. The lack of studies on the language especially in semantics field was the main motivation in conducting this research. Another thing that also strongly supported the conduct of this research was a phenomenon in which some verbs semantically related to verb 'to cut' were rarely used by speakers of Nias middle dialect. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aims of discovering the verbs that have semantic relation to the verb “to cut” and describing the meaning of the verbs by employing the Natural Semantic Metalanguage theory of Wierzbicka (1996) in the qualitative research design. To collect the data, cakap method was applied which is supported by pancing and rekam techniques. In analyzing the data, padan method was applied. Based on the results of data analysis, it was revealed that there were forty-seven Nias middle dialect verbs that semantically related to the verb 'to cut'. In accordance with the results of the explication of meaning, the verbs can be classified into three groups, namely verbs that are done with tools, verbs that are done without tools, and verbs that can be done with or without tools. This phenomenon shows that Nias people do a lot of cutting activities in their social lives.


I. INTRODUCTION
Nias Language (hereinafter referred to as NL) is one of the local languages in Indonesia. The language is spoken by the residents who live on an island to the west of Sumatra island called Nias. Nias Island is geographically located about 100 kilometers west of the Sumatra island (1º from the equator), adjacent to the Sibolga coast (Brown, 2001). The island has a length of approximately 220 kilometers and its width is around 145 km (Halawa, Harefa, & Silitonga, 1983). Administratively the island is part of the North Sumatra Province. There are 4 districts and 1 city in Nias, namely: Nias Regency, Nias Selatan Regency, Nias Barat Regency, Nias Utara Regency, and Gunungsitoli City. The use of NL is spread throughout the districts and city.
NL has a very prominent uniqueness that makes it different from other languages spoken in other regions. Each word always ends with a vowel sound and never ends with a consonant sound as in construction (1). If this sentence is analyzed, each word ends with a vowel, Niha sipade niha andrö 'the person is a great person'. In addition, on phonology level NL has six vowel sounds, namely: a, e, i, o, u, and ö (sounds / ə / as in tödö / tədə / 'heart' and bo'ö / bo'ə / 'cheek '). man REL-great Person DEM 'The man is great' Some scientific studies on NL have been carried out by local and foreign researchers. Brown (2001) conducted a scientific study on the language especially toward the south dialect of it. His research examined the structure of south dialect of NL under the title A Grammar of Nias Selatan. Furthermore, Crysmann (2009) conducted a study on NL with the title Deriving Superficial Ergativity in Nias. The language case and agreement system was the focus of his research study. In addition, Gulö (2014) examined characteristics of NL with a research title Unique Characteristics of Nias Language. Besides, Ndruru (2019) studied NL especially Nias Middle Dialect (hereinafter referred to as NMD) with a research title Clause Argument Semantic Roles and Structures of Nias Middle Dialect. These studies concentrated only on phonology, morphology, and syntax field, so there is hardly NL studies in the semantic field.
Nonetheless, there was a semantic study conducted by a researcher entitled Verb 'To give' in Nias Language: Study on Natural Semantic Metalanguage (Lombu, 2017). This study described the classification and meaning of the verb 'to give' in NL. This research is the only NSM study on Nias language. In addition, Lombu's research examined the same language as this study did, namely NL, and also employed the same guide theory, the NSM theory. However, there are some differences between the two studies. Lombu's study examined NL north dialect, while this study researched NL middle dialect abbreviated as NMD. Furthermore, the previous study examined the verb 'give', while this study examined verb "to cut". Therefore, the previous research did not become a barrier for this research but a reference.
Semantics is a field that studies the meaning of language units that can be words, phrases, clauses, and sentences. The meaning of a word can actually be seen in a dictionary. However, the dictionary does not provide a detailed description of a word. Generally a dictionary defines a word with other words that are still not clearly understood, and even the dictionary only provides words that have almost the same meaning as the word in question. Therefore, the theory of Natural Semantic metalanguage (NSM) in semantics is used to solve the problem. The NSM theory was pioneered by Weirzbicka and was developed to reveal very slight differences of meaning which have been claimed to be very difficult and even impossible to decipher (Goddard, 2008). The NSM theory seeks universal meaning by presenting a set of meanings called primitive meaning. The primitive meaning is a set of meanings which is naturally inherited since the human being was born person. For example, the verb "to cut" has primitive meanings DO and the verb "to stare" has the original meaning SEE.
The verb "to cut" in NL specifically NMD has many variations that semantically different, such as manaba, manila, mondre'a, manuta, mogötö, and so forth. Those words are verbs that can mean "to cut". The verb manaba can be translated into Inglish "to cut" and so can the other verbs. To get a description of the exact meaning, a semantic study of these words needs to be done using NSM theory. This theory works on explicating the meaning of a word by using simple words known as primitive meanings. Furthermore, some verbs that have semantic relation to verb "to cut" in NL have begun to be rarely used among young and urban people. This problem was a serious problem and needed to be urgently solved.
Based on the problems and the description above, this research was conducted to find a solution. Discovering verbs that semantically related to verb "to cut" in NMD and explicating their meanings by employing the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) were the aims of this study.

II. METHOD
This research was designed using a qualitative research approach that aimed to discover and explicate the meaning of verbs that have semantic relation to the verb "to cut" in NMD. To collect the data, cakap method was applied. The method is equal to interview method (Zaim, 2014). The method worked very well because the data could be gained directly from informants. The method was also supported by pancing and rekam techniques. The pancing technique was performed by provoking the informants with some questions prepared to provide the data. The rekam technique was done by recording the interview activity. In analyzing the data, padan method was employed. The method worked on identifying the lingual units by providing their references (for example, things and actions). Padan method was supported by pilah unsur penentu (PUP) technique. This technique was carried out by classifying the data. The methods used to present the results of data analysis were formal and informal methods.

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
This study was conducted to discover and describe the verbs that semantically related to verb "to cut" in NMD and their meanings. In accordance with the results of data analysis, there were forty-seven verbs that have semantic relation to verb "to cut" found. In addition, based on the explication of the verbs meaning, those verbs can be categorized into three groups, they are: verbs that are done by using tools, verbs that are done by not using tools, and verbs that can be done by or by not using tools.

The Verbs that Have Semantic Relation to Verb "to Cut" in NMD
The data analysis results confirmed that forty-seven verbs semantically related to the verb "to cut". Of all these verbs thirty-seven verbs can only be done with tools. Furthermore, five verbs do not require tools when cutting is done. Last, five verbs can be done with or without tools. All these verbs are presented in sentences, see table 1. Mamoto banio ira aefa migu. They will break coconuts next week. 3 Mabu'a gae ba naha-naẇu We (exclusive) peel bananas in the kitchen. 4 Ulau manica nagole manu. I am chopping chicken meat. 5 No icika mbarunia. (S)he has torn her/his shirt. 6 Manikoi becu'a mbaẇi ira. They cut pork intestines (to clean). 7 Tacuna geu andrö aefa migu. We (inclusive) will prune the tree next week. 8 No I'aecu'ö dali jifatugu meneẇi. (S)he broke my shoelaces yesterday. 9 Manesuha banio ami. You (plural) peel coconuts. 10 Ifakha döla ẇakhe.
(S)he cuts down (grass and small trees) the chili field. 23 No ihuta gulö andrö.
The people plane boards. 25 a. Ikhai nakhiu dania. He will circumcise your little brother b. Mogai ono mbaẇi ira.
We (exclusive) are going to tap rubber trees tomorrow 26 Takhökhö döla mbaẇi andre.
I cut the chicken thigh meat. 28 Mogoli uli mbaẇi ia.
Our little brother is grating cassava.
(S)he is shaving her/his legs hair. 47 No i'usu dali jifatugu.
It bit my shoelace.
Those examples above show that the basic verb form is used in S-V-O sentence pattern of NMD. This pattern requires that the subject's position (S) be filled with only pronouns in the form of proclitic. In the example sentece 1, for example, basi 'harvest' is a basic verb form, S position is filled with a proclitic i-'third singular person', and ẇakhe 'rice' works as O. Another thing conveyed by the examples above is verb form used in V-O-S sentence pattern of NMD is not in the basic form but has been affixed. For example, in example sentence 2, V position is filled with mamoto 'break'. This verb is from preffix ma-and verb basic boto 'break'. In the sentence banio 'coconut' fills O position, and ira 'third plural pronoun' acts as S.

The Meaning Explication of Verbs "to Cut" in NMD
As explained above, the verbs that are semantically related to the verb "to cut" in NMD are classified into three groups, namely: verbs that are done with tools, verbs that are done without tools, and verbs that can be done with or without tools. In this section, those verbs are described using a set of meaning called the primitive meaning.

Verbs that are Done with Tools
This verb means to cut an entity in order to get its part. The entity is rice. The tool used is a small knife. The verb is explicated below and presented in figure 1.
X does something to Y Y is rice plants X does this using a small knife Y is cut on its fruit stalk X wants Y's fruit X does it this way This verb means to cut an entity into two or some pieces. The entities are usually wide and thin. The cutting is done by using a knife-edge. The explication of this verb is presented below and supported with figure 2.
X does something to Y Y is wide and thin X does this using kinife-edge X does this slowly and carefully Y is cut X does it this way This verb describe an action of cutting an entity at its top. The entity is a tree. The cutting is carried out a large machete or axe. Look at the following explication and figure 3 for detail.
X is on Y Y is a tree X does something to Y's branches X does this using a large machete or axe X does this many times and carefully Y is cut on its branches X does it this way Figure 3 Cuna 'prune' Source: https://bit.ly/3ef4UEP This verb shows an action of cutting an entity by removing its outside part. The entities are coconuts. The cutting is normally done using axe. The following explication and figure 4 present detailed meaning of this verb.
X does something to Y Y is a coconut X does this using an axe X does this carefully Y is cut and its outside part is removed X wants the inside part of Y X does it this way This verb describes an action of cutting down entities. The entities are harvested rice plants. The tool used is a sickle or farm machete. Look at the following explication and figure 5 for detail.
X does something to Y Y is harvested rice plants X does this using a sickle or farm machete X does this many times and quickly Y is cut down and removed from its base X does it this way Figure 5 Fakha 'cut off' Source: https://bit.ly/2RuUnLJ This verb shows an action of cutting an entity at one of its tips to make it flat. The entity is long and usually from wood. The tool used is an axe, saw, or any sharp tools. The explication is presented below with figure 6 for detail.
X does something to Y Y is long and normally from wood X does this at one of Y's tips X does this using any tools that can cut the Y's tip Y's tip becomes flat X does it this way This verb refers to an action of cutting entities in order to change their shapes. The entities are usually wood. The cutting is done using a small knife. Look at the explication and figure 7 below.
X does something to Y Y is wood X does this using a small knife X does this many times and slowly Y is cut slightly and thinly Y looks a bit or totally different X does it this way Figure 7 Fofoe 'scrape' Source: https://bit.ly/2VlLrJH This verb mean to cut entities into some pieces. The entities are meat. The tool used is usually knife. The explication are showed below, and figure 8 is a support.
X does something to Y Y is meat X does this using knife X does this many times Y becomes some pieces X does it this way This verb describes an action of cutting entities that are in a higher place. The entities are anything on a tree. The cutting is done using a sickle-eyed pole. The explication is presented below, and figure 9 is a support.
X is under Y Y is anything on a tree (usually fruits and leaves) X does something to Y X does this using a sickle-eyed pole X pulls down the tool Y is cut and removed from the tree X wants Y X does it this way The verb means to cut off entity. The entity is hair on men's head. The cutting is done using a razor. This action is usually done after someone has his hair cut. Look at the figure 10 and explication below.
X does something to Y Y is hair on a man's head X does this using a razor X does this slowly and carefully X does this around Y's edge Y is cut a bit and looks better X does it this way Figure 10 Gane 'shave' Source: https://bit.ly/3ed9rrm 11. Garagajini → mogaragajini 'saw' The verb means to cut entities by using a special tool. The tool is a saw. The entities are usully hard and from wood. Look at figure 11 and the explication below.
X does something to Y Y is hard and usually from wood X does this using a saw Y is cut X does it this way Figure 11 Garagajini 'saw' Source: https://bit.ly/2UYnzgg This verb refers to an action of cutting entities using a special tool. The tool is a chopping machine. The entities are usually coconut and sweet potato leaves. Look at figure 12 and the following explication.
X does something to Y Y is usually coconut and sweet potato leaves X does this using a special machine X does this carefully Y is cut and becomes very small pieces X does it this way 13. Golagö → mogolagö 'split' This verb means to cut entities into some pieces. The entities are normally durian and papaya. The cutting is done using knife. The explication is presented below, and figure 13 is a support.
X does something to Y Y is durian or papaya X does this using knife X usually does this form one tip of Y to another Y is cut into some pieces X does it this way Figure 13 Golagö 'split' Source: https://bit.ly/2V1lDDZ This verb means to cut entity into some parts. The entity is a long wood or tree trunk. The tool used is an axe or large machete. Look at figure 14 and the following explication.
X does something to Y Y is long wood or tree trunk X does this using an axe or lage machete X does this powerfully Y becomes several shorter parts X does it this way This verbs refers to an action of cutting entities using a special tool. The tool is scissors. The entities are usually thin. Look at figure 15 and following explication.
X does something to Y Y is ussually thin X does this with scissors Y is cut X does it this way This verb means to cut down entities. The entity is usually long grass in an area including small trees. The cutting is done using a long machete. Here are figure 16 and the following explication to support the meaning.
X does something to Y Y is long grass and small trees in an area X does this using a long machete X does this strongly and many times Y is cut down X does it this way Figure 16 Hölu 'cut down' Source: https://bit.ly/2Vk3y2H 17. Huta → manuta 'cut' The verb refers to an action of cutting entities into two separated parts. The entities are usually long. The tool used is a machete or small axe. Look at figure 17 and following explication for a detail.
X does something to Y Y is usually long X does this using a machete or small axe X does this strongly and quickly Y is cut into two separated parts X does it this way Figure 17 Huta 'cut' Source: https://bit.ly/3a6Z3OE The verb means to cut entities using a special tool. The tool is a planer. The entities are wood. Here are figure 18 and the following explication to support the meaning of the verb.
X does something to Y Y is wood X does this using a planer X does this many times Y is cut on its surface X does it this way Figure 18 Kata 'plane' Source: https://bit.ly/2Ruobs9

a. Khai → mogai 'circumcise'
The meaning of this verb is to cut an entity on his genitals. The entity is a boy. The cutting is done using sharp knife or scissors. Look at figure 19 and the following explication for detailed explanation.
X does something to Y At the same time Y feels terrible Y is a boy X does this using sharp knife or scissors X does this very carefully Y is cut on the skin of his genital X does it this way Figure 19 Khai 'circumcise' Source: https: This verb refers to an action of cutting an entity on its genital. The cutting is carried out by removing the entity's testicles. The entities are normally male farm animals. The cutting is done using sharp knife. Look at figure 20 and the explication below.
X does something to Y Y feels terrible Y is a male farm animal X does this using a sharp knife Y is cut on its genital Y's testicles are removed X does it this way Figure 20 Khai 'castrate' Source: https://bit.ly/3c7FnLM The verb describes an action of cutting an entity's surface. The entities are rubber trees. The tool used is a tapping knife. The purpose of cutting is to get sap from the entity. Look at figure 21 and the explication below for more explanation.
X does something to Y Y is a rubber tree X does this using tapping knife X does this on the surface of Y's trunk Y gets cuts of downward half spiral X wants sap from Y X does it this way Figure 21 Khai 'tap' Source: https://bit.ly/34x9f1t The meaning of this verb is to cut entities into some parts. The entities are usually meat, bones, potatos, and fruits. The tool used is a machete or axe. The explication is presented below, and figure 22 is a support.
X does something to Y Y is usually meat, bones, potatoes, and fruits X does this using a machete or axe X does this quickly Y is cut and becomes some disordered pieces X does it this way This verb describes an action of cutting by moving a tool back and forth on entities. The entity is meat. The tool used is a large knife. Look at figure 23 and the following explication to get more explanation.
X does something to Y Y is meat X does this using a large knife X does this by moving the tool back and forth on Y Y is cut and becomes two or more parts X does it this way Figure 23 Khöla 'cut' Source: https://bit.ly/2VqGYps The verb refers to an action of cutting entities from one point to another. The entities are meat and fruit. The cutting is done using a knife-edge. Look at figure 24 and the following explication.
X does something to Y Y is meat or fruit X does this using a knife-edge X does this from one point to another Y is cut on its surface X does it this way Figure 24 Kholi 'cut' Source: https://bit.ly/2VnNqxl The meaning of this verb is to cut entities down. The entities are trees. The tool used is a large machete, axe, or chainsaw. The explication is presented below with figure 25.
X is at the base of Y X does something to Y Y is a tree X does this using a large machete, axe, or chainsaw Y is cut off on its base and falls X does it this way Figure 25 Obö 'cut down' Source: https://bit.ly/2y4PqT5 The verb describes an action of cutting off entities. The entity is long grass. The cutting is done by using a long machete. Look at the figure 26 and the explication below for more explanation.
X does something to Y Y is long grass X does this using a long machete X does this many times and quickly Y is cut from its base X does it this way Figure 26 Oẇi 'cut' Source: https://bit.ly/2xoK7Or This verb means to cut entities into small pieces. The entities are usually plant leaves. The cutting is done using a large wide knife. The explication is presented below, and figure 27 is a support.
X does something to Y Y is usually plant leaves X does this using a large wide knife X does this many times and quickly Y becomes small pieces X does it this way 26. Re'a → mondre'a 'cut' The meaning of this verb is to cut an entity with a special tool. The tool is a machete. The entity is anything that can be cut using the tool. Look at figure 28 and the following explication for more explanation.
X does something to Y Y is anything that can be cut using a machete X does this quickly, strongly, and disorderly Y is cut X does it this way Figure 28 Re'a 'cut' Source: https://bit.ly/2RtAMvw This verb means to entities using a special tool. The traditional tool called fondreka 'grater' is used in the cutting. The enitity is usually cassava. Here are figure 29 and the following explication for more information about this verb.
X does something to Y Y is usually cassava X does this using fondrekha 'grater' X moves Y back and forth on the tool X does this many times and quickly Y becomes very small pieces X does it this way Figure 29 Rekha 'grate' Source: https://bit.ly/2V0Hg7i The verb means to cut entities using a special tool. The traditional tool called ndrökhia 'grater' is used in the cutting. The entities are usually coconuts. Look at figure 30 and the following explication to get more explanation.
X does something to Y Y is coconut X does this while sitting on the tool called ndrökhia 'grater' X moves Y back and forth on the tool blade X does this many times and quickly Y becomes very small pieces X does it this way Figure 30 Rökhi 'grate' Source: https://bit.ly/2VnhLfd This verb means to cut entities on their bases. The entity is short grass in an area. The cutting is done using a small machete. For more explanation look at figure 31 and the following explication.
X does something to Y Y is short grass X does this using a small machete X does this many times Y is cut and removed from its base X does it this way

Figure 31
Sese 'cut' Source: https://bit.ly/2wx3m87 The meaning of this verb is to cut entities using special tool. The tool is a chainsaw. The entity is usually wood. Look at figure 32 and the following explication for more explanation.
X does something to Y Y is usually wood X does this using a chainsaw X moves the tool back and forth on Y Y is cut X does it this way Figure 32 Seso 'cut' Source: https://bit.ly/2XtZcsr The verb means to cut an entity into two or more parts. The entity is usually long. The cutting is carried out using any kind of sharp tool. Figure 33 and the following explication show a detailed explanation.
X does something to Y Y is usually long X does this using any kind of sharp tool X does this from one point of Y to another Y is cut into two or more parts X does it this way This verb describes an action of cutting entities that are in a higher place. The entities are anything on a tree. The cutting is done using a pole. The explication is presented below, and figure 34 is a support.
X is under Y Y is anything on a tree (usually fruits and leaves) X does something to Y X does this using a pole X pushes the tool to Y Y is cut and removed from the tree X wants Y X does it this way The verb means to cut entities in general. They entity is animate or inanimate. However, this verb must be done using sharp tools. Figure  35 and the following explication are presented below to give more detail.
X does something to Y Y is animate or inanimate X does this using a sharp tool Y is cut X does it this way This verb describes an action of cutting special entities. The entity is a tree which is already cut down. The tool used is a machete or axe. Look at figure 36 and the following explication for more explanation.
X does something to Y Y is a tree which is already cut down X does this using a machete or axe X does this many times Y is cut on its branches X does it this way The verb describes an action of cutting entities. The entity is a tree. The cutting is done using a machete or a small axe. Look at figure 37 and the explication below for more explanation.
X does something to Y Y is a tree X does this using a machete or small axe Y is cut slightly on its trunk X makes this cut as a foothold to easyly climb Y X does it this way This verb refers to an action of cutting entities. The entity is usually hard. The cutting is done using a machete or axe. For more explanation, look at figure 38 and the following explication.
X does something to Y Y is usually hard X does this using a machete or axe X does this many times Y's outside part is cut and removed X does it this way Figure 38 Toto 'cut' Source: https://bit.ly/3caWwUK This verb describes an action of cutting entity on its base. The entity is hair. The tool used is a razor or very sharp knife. The following explication and figure 39 gives more detail.
X does something to Y Y is hair X does this using a razor or very sharp knife X does this slowly and carefully Y is cut at its base X does it this way Figure 39 Töẇö 'shave' Source: https://bit.ly/2Vi08xD Verbs that are Done without Tools 1. Cika → manika 'tear' This verb describes an action of cutting entities using hands. The entity is thin and wide. Figure 40 and the following explication add more explanation of the verb.
X does something to Y Y is thin and wide X does this using hands Y is cut X does it this way The verb means to cut entities using hands. The entity is long and hard. Look at figure 41 and the following explication for more explanation.
X does something to Y Y is long and hard X does this using hands Y becomes two separated parts X does it this way Figure 41 Fatö 'break' Source: personal documentation This verb refers to an action of cutting entities using teeth. The entity is usually food. Look at figure 42 and the following explication for detail.
X does something to Y Y is usually food X does this using teeth X does this many times Y is cut into some pieces X does it this way Figure 42 Röröẇi 'tear' Source: https://bit.ly/2RtTqDz

Teu → maneu'cut'
This verb describes an action of cutting entities with one or two hands. The entity is a thing that is not really hard. Look at figure 43 and the following explication.
X does something to Y Y is not really hard X does this with one or two hands Y's small part is cut and removed X wants this small part X does it this way Figure 43 Teu 'cut' Source: https://bit.ly/2V067bl The verb describes an action of cutting entities with teeth. The entity is usually food. Figure 44 and the explication below give more detail.
X does something to Y Y is usually food X does this using teeth X does this once Y is cut X does it this way Figure 44 Usu 'bite' Source: https://bit.ly/3a4hD9U Verbs that can be Done with or without Tools 1. Boto → mamoto 'break' The verb means to cut an entity into two or more parts. The entity is usually rounded. The cutting can be done with tools or by hands. Look at figure 45 and 47 and the following explication for detail explanation.
X does something to Y Y is usually rounded X does this with a tool or by hand Y is cut into two or more parts X does it this way 2. Bu'a → mamu'a 'peel' The verb describes an action of cutting the outside part of entities. The entity usually has outer layer. The cutting is done using a knife, machete, or by hand. Look at the following explication and figure 47 and 48 for more detail.
X does something to Y Y has outer layer X does this using a knife, machete, or by hand Y's outer layer is cut and removed X does it this way 3. Aecu'ö → manaecu'ö 'break' This verb means to cut an entity into two separated parts. The entity is usually a rope or string. The cutting can be done by using a knife or by hand. Look at the explication below and figure 49 and 50 for detail.
X does something to Y Y is usually a rope or string X does this with a knife or by hand Y is cut and becomes two separated parts X does it this way This verb means to cut entities into small pieces. The entities are meat and plant (usually patchouli). The cutting is done by hand for plant and needs a knife for meat. Look at the picture 51 and 52 and the explication below.
X does something to Y Y is meat or plant (usually patchouli) X does this with knife for meat or by hand for plant Y is cut into small pieces (meat) Y's leaves are mostly removed (plant) X does it this way 5. Tekhe → manekhe 'cut' This verb means to cut an entity slightly. The entity is usually not really hard. The cutting is done with a knife or hand. Look at the following explication and figure 53 and 54 for more detail.
X does something to Y Y is usually not really hard X does this with a knife or by hand Y is cut slightly on its surface X makes this cut as a marker X does it this way

IV. CONCLUSION
There are forty-seven verbs in NMD that have semantic relation to verb "to cut". Those verbs can be used in both sentence pattern of NMD, namely S-V-O and V-O-S patterns. Basic form verbs are used in the S-V-O sentence pattern and in the V-O-S sentence pattern affixed verbs are employed. Based on the explication the verbs can be classified into three groups, they are: verbs that are done by using tools, verbs that are done by not using tools, and verbs that are done by or by not using tools. There are thirty-seven verbs carried out with tools, five verbs done without tools, and five verbs that can be done with or without tools. This phenomenon shows that Nias people do a lot of cutting activities in their sosial lives.