Download Coptic Grammar

UNIT
1
How to make a Coptic sentence :
A sentence requires a subject and a verb. The subject that carries out the
action can be a noun or pronoun.
(1) VERBS
Verbs given here can be used in the imperative form, that is to make
a request or to give an order.
he mc i
[i
sit
( haemsi )
take
ouwm eat
` sl/l
c aji
( chi )
( ou - woam )
pray
( eshleel )
speak
( saji )
ouwst kneel - worship ou-woasht
mosi
go - walk
c wte m
listen
cw
drink
( moshi )
( soataem )
( soa )
`c mo u
bless
( esmou )
ws
read
( oash )
jo ust
look
( gousht )
(2) NOUNS
Nouns are used as subjects or objects. In Coptic, nouns are either masculine
or feminine. We shall start with masculine nouns. The best way to tell the
gender of a noun is to identify its definite article.
used definite article for masculine nouns.
pi rwmi
pi
is the most commonly
pi to tc
the man
(1)
the chair
The indefinite article is
ou
, which is “ a “ in English.
ou is
taken by
both masculine and feminine nouns.
ourwmi
a man
oualou
a boy
ouou/b a priest
oue rve i
pi rwmi
(ou - roami )
pi alou
( ou - alou )
pi ou/b
( ou - ou - weep )
pi e rve i
a sanctuary ( ou - aer - faey )
the man
the
boy
the priest
the sanctunary
oudi akwn a deacon ( ou - thyakoan)
pi di akwn
outotc
a chair
( ou - tots )
pi totc
the chair
oulaoc
people
( ou - la - wos )
pi laoc
the people
( ou - ma )
pi ma
ouma
a place
ouma e fouab
a holy place
ouma ` njoust ` e b ol
oukahi
our/
Kahi r/ ( Kahi ra)
(3)
the place
( ou - ma aef - ou- wab )
waiting area ( ou - ma - en - gousht aevol )
pi kahi
a land - floor ( ou - kahi )
a sun
the deacon
pi r/
( ou - ree )
( Kahi - ree/ra )
the land - floor
the sun
Cairo ( land of the sun )
PREPOSITION
This is a word often placed before a noun or pronoun to show direction, place,
source,.etc. (e g in, from, at ). An object separated from a verb by a preposition
is known as indirect object .
(2)
qe n
in - by
` e
( khaen )
` e je n - hi je n
on (aejaen - hijaen)
` nc a
( en - sa )
towards
to
sa
( aeh )
until
( sha )
ne m with - and
( naem )
The following sentences are made up of a verb in the imperative form, a preposition
and an “ indirect object “.
c aji ne m pi rwmi
Speak with the man.
mo si ne m pi alo u
Walk with the boy.
` sl/l ne m pi o u/b
Pray with the priest.
he mc i hi je n pi totc
Sit
on
the chair.
he mc i hi je n pi kahi
Sit
on
the floor.
` sl/l qe n pi e r ve i
Pray in the sanctuary.
ouwm qe n pi ma ` njo ust e b o l
Eat in the waiting area.
GENERAL PRACTICE
nane
nane too u` i
good
( nanae )
good morning
( nanae to - ou -wi )
(3)
nane r ouhi
good evening
nane ` e masw
( nanae rou - hi )
very good
( nanae - ae - mashoa )
ar i ` hmot
please ( do ).
( ari - eh - mot )
ar i ` hmot c w
please drink.
( ari - eh -mot soa )
ar i ` hmot o uwm
~ n~ hmo t
` mpe r
please eat.
( ari - eh - mot ou - woam )
please
do not
( empaer )
( en-eh-mot )
alla
but
( alla )
` mpe r c aji alla c wte m.
Do not speak but listen.
mpe rmo si alla he mc i .
Do not go but sit down.
` mpe r he mc i
pi totc .
hi je n pi kahi alla he mc i hi je n
Do not sit on the floor but sit on the chair.
RELIGIOUS APPLICATION
c wte m e r on * hear us `c mou e r on
` c mou e r of
*,
bless us
ar e h e r on
preserve us
pi r/ ne m pi i o h
Bless Him, the sun and the moon
( esmou aerof pi - ree naem pi - yoh )
_______________________________________________________
(*) e roi , e rok, e ro , e r of , e roc , e ron .. object pronouns indicate me, you, you (fem), him, her, us ..
to be explained at a later stage.
(4)
UNIT 2
(1)
SPECIAL DEFINITE ARTICLES
We have learned the definite article
pi
is used for singular masculine nouns.
In this unit, two special definite masculine articles are presented: `p and `v.
These are frequently used for sing. masculine nouns of particular importance
in religious texts.
` vi wt
( ef - yoat )
`vran the name
(ef - nou - ti)
`vr /
the father
` vnou] (the) God
` vnob i
the sin
( ef - novi )
` p[ oi c
the lord
( ep - choys )
` ps/r i
the son
`p/i
( ef - ran )
the sun
( ef - ree )
the house
`pouro the king
`pkahi the land
( ep - sheeri )
( ep - ee )
( ep - ou - ro )
( ep - ka - hi )
The student will be familiar with these special articles in the course of his or her
study, and through attendance of church service.However, many other “religious”
words take the usual masculine article
Pi ` <r i c toc
pi agi o c
O\MG#
O\MG#
pi .
(the) Christ
( pi - ekhristos )
the saint (masc.)
(5)
( pi - agyos )
pi e uagge li o n
O\MG#
pi ` pne uma e yo uab
(2)
the bible
( pi - aev - an - gael - yon )
the Holy Spirit
( pi-ep-naev-ma aeth-ou- wab )
DIRECT OBJECT
An object is a noun or noun - equivalent, governed by a verb. The indirect object,
as we learned, is separated from the verb by a preposition. A direct object is acted
upon by transitive verb. In Coptic, such object is separated from the commonly
`
used verbs by one of these articles
e
` m
` n
These
articles are called ‘’ object signs “.
A - Some verbs take the object sign
`E
sar i
hit - smack
( shari )
ar e h
hwc
praise
( hoas )
c wte m
nau
listen - hear ( soateam )
see
swle m
smell
( nav )
( shoalaem )
keep - study
( araeh )
`c mou
bless
( esmou )
[oh
touch
( choh )
jo ust
look
( gousht )
je mjo m
overcome
( jaemgom )
EXAMPLES
` c mou ` e ` Vno u]
Bless (the)
(6)
God .
( esmou ae ef - nou - ti )
hwc ` e ` p[ o i c
Praise the Lord .
jo ust ` e pi alo u
( hoas ae ep - choys )
Look ( at ) the boy.
( gousht ae pi - alou )
c wte m ` e pi ` sl/l
Listen ( to ) the prayer
ar e h ` e pi ws
Study the lesson .
swle m ` e pi b e r t
Smell the rose
[i ` n outo tc
( araeh - ae - pi - oash )
( shoalaem - ae - pi - vaert )
`n
B - All other verbs take the object sign
( soataem ae pi - esh - leel )
or
` m
Take a chair.
c w ` n oumwo u
( chi - en - ou - tots )
Drink water.
( soa - en - ou - moa - ou )
c aji ` n ]me tr e m` n,/mi
Speak (the) Coptic.
ouwm ` n af
*`
m
m
,
( saji - en - ti - maet- raem - en - keemi )
Eat meat .
is used instead of
v
,
b
or
`n
( ou - woam en af )
when a noun ( usually its article ) starts with:
'(ps)
EXAMPLES
[i ` m pi to tc
Take the chair.
` sl/l ` m ` vno u]
Pray ( to ) God
ouwst ` m ` p[o i c
Worship the Lord.
c o b ] ` m pi ma
Prepare the place.
(7)
( chi
( eshleel
em pi tots )
em efnou - ti )
( ou -woasht em ep - choys )
( sovti em pi - ma )
`m
(3) OTHER USES FOR
`
&
`n
m and `n are used to join noun to a noun, adjective to a noun and number
to a noun.
(1) Joining noun
to a related noun.
` vr an ` m ` vi wt
the name of the father
pi o u/b ` m pi e r ve i
the priest of the sanctury ( pi-ou-weep em pi-erfaey )
pi mwo u ` m ` vi o m
the water of the sea
( efran em ef - yoat )
( pi- moa - ou em efyom )
(2) Joining noun to an adjective.
pi r wmi ` n c ab e
the wise man
ounou] ` n o uwt
one God
pi jwm ` m b e ri
the new book
` p/i
` n
( pi - roami en savae )
( ou - nouti en ou - woat )
( pi - goam em vaeri )
apac
the old house
( ep - ee en apas )
ouwnq ` n ` e ne h
an eternal life
( ou - oankh en aenaeh )
(3) Join numbers to nouns
When `m and `n
are used to join a number to a noun, the noun remains
singular. (In English the noun following a number must be in plural. e.g. five boys .)
(8)
so mt ` n ` alou
three boys
c o o u ` n ` e hoo u
( shomt en - alou )
six days
( so - ou en eho - ou )
sasf ` n c o p
seven times
( shashf en sop )
m/t ` n r wmi
ten men
( meet en roami )
se ` n ro mpi
hundred years
( shae en rompi )
GENERAL PRACTICE
he mc i ` mnai o uo h joust e b o l
Sit here and wait.
( haemsi emnay ou-woh gousht aevol )
he mc i ` nc a pi ,ay/o u o uo h joust ` e pi qi r
window and watch the street.
(haemsi ensa pi-ka-thiy-you ou-woh gousht ae pikhir )
` mpe r [ oh ` e pi jwm ` m b e ri ` n Se no uda
Shenouda’s new book.
Sit towards the
Do not touch
(empaer - choh ae pi-goam em vaeri en shenouda)
[i ` m pi to tc ` n apac e b ol ` mnai .
Take the old chair out of here .
( chi em pi - tots en apas aevol emnay )
me i ` m pi s/ri ` m pi ye se ` n r e mmame ti oc ` m` vr /] ` m
pi s/r i
` m pi ye se ` n ` <r i c ti anoc .
Love the son of the Moslem neighbour like the son of the Christian neighbour.
( maey em pi - sheeri em pi - thae-shae en rae-ma-maetyos em-ef-reeti em pisheeri em
pi thae-shae an ekhristyanos )
(9)
mo u] ` e pi somt ` n alo u. Call the three boys ( mouti ae pi-shomt en-alou)
mo u] ` e pi pol/c # ` n,wle m o uoh jo ust e b ol.
police quickly and wait.
Call the
(mouti ae pi-polees en-koalaem ouw-woh gousht aevol)
RELIGIOUS APPLICATION
qe n ` vran ` m ` vi wt ne m ` ps/r i ne m pi ` pne uma e yo uab
ounou] ` n o uwt am/n.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit ( the ) one God, amen
(khaen ef-ran em efioat naem ep-sheeri naem pi-ep-naevma aeth-ouw-wab ou-nouti
en ouw-woat)
pi somt ` n alo u ` n agi oc
The three saint boys .
( pi-shomt en alou en agyos)
` vn/b ` p[o i c ` vno u] pi pantokr atwr
the Master the Lord the God the Almighty (One who controls all )
( efneeb epchoys efnouti pi-pan-tok-ratoar )
` pq/b c ` m pi c wma pe ( *) pi b al
The lamp of the body is the eye.
( ep-kheebs em pi-soama pae pi-val )
______________________________________________________
*
pe
verb to be, is, for single masculine nouns. # symbol of newly introduced words like police
(10)
vocabulary
` vi om
</mi
the sea
Egypt
pi mwo u (pi-moa-ou)
(ef-yom)
(keemi)
re m` n,/mi
the water
(raem-en.) Egyptian
]me tr e m` n,/mi
the Egyptian
( Coptic ) language
pi af
the meat
(pi-af)
pi ` e ho ou (pi-eho-ou)
` mnai
here
(em-nay)
` nke c o p again
ke
another
pi c op
o u/r ` nc op
(enkaesop)
(kaeh)
(pi-sop)
o uke rwmi
the day
the time
how many times
another man (oukaer.)
pi ,ay/outhe window (kathiyou)
pi qi r
the street
(pi-khir)
pi jwm the book
b e ri
new
( vaeri )
apac
old
(apas)
pi ` e ne h
ouai
so mt three
(ouw-way)
(shomt)
five
seven
(shashf)
|i t
nine
(psit)
eleven (meet-ouw-way)
the neighbour pi-thae-shae
sa ` e ne h
`c nau
`fto u
(eftou)
six
eight
ten
m/t` c nau
(11)
(esnav)
four
` sm/n
m/t
for ever (sha aenaeh)
two
c oo u
(et-you)
sasf
m/touai
pi ye se
the eternity (pi-aenaeh)
one
` ti ou
(pi-goam)
(so-ou)
(eshmeen)
(meet)
twelve (meet-es-nav)
jo ust e b o l wait
~ <r i c ti ano c
` m` vr/] ` m
(gousht aevol)
O\M G#
re mmame ti o c
Christian
(ekh-ris-tyanos)
pan
O \ M G / E pr#
pi q/b c
pi c wma
me i
the lamp
O \ M G \ Int #
to love . love
Moslem
(raem-ma-maet-yos)
panagi a G
the whole (world)
panto krato r ( ac ) G
like (em-ef-reeti em)
of whole holiness
pano rama G \ Int
Almighty
pi lampa( c )
(pi-kheebs)
pi b al
the body
AA
G \ Int \AA
the eye
panorama
the lamp
(pi-val)
(maey)
SPECIAL USAGE
]se p` hmo t* ( ` nto tk,
` nto] ,
` nte ny/nou
**)
Thank you (sing. masc., sing. fem., plural) (tishaep-ehmot entotk, entoti, entaen-theenou )
` nse p` hmot thanks
` mmo n ` hli
(en-shaep-ehmot)
]hi r/n/ ( nak, ne , nwte n. )
oujai
Peace to you. (ti-hireeni nak \ nae\ noataen )
= Bye-bye cheer you (ougay).
sa rac ], c ar ac ]
Do not mention. Emmon ehli
"to reply" :
See you tomorrow \ after tomorrow.
qe n ouo ujai
(sha rasti \ sarasti)
___________________________________________________________________
# newly introduced words,or words of Greek origin. G Greek, OG old Greek, MG modern Greek,
AA used in colloquial Arabic Int internationally used . * ]se p`
hmot is made of, ] pronoun for I
se p a simple form of verb accept and ` hmot means grace or gift. ** ` ntot- is from hand
(12)
UNIT 3
(1) THE FEMININE NOUNS
]
is the definite article for single feminine noun. There are two special
definite
articles ,
~ t and ` y. ou is the indefinite article for singular feminine
nouns, as much as it is the indefinite article for single masculine nouns.
]se ri
the girl
]` c hi mi
]anz/b
]jom
(ti-shaeri)
the power
]ri
the woman (ti-es-himi)
the room
]so ur /
the school (ti-anzeeb)
the censer
]anavo ra the liturgy (ti-ana-fora)
]` tri ac
]agi a the lady saint
]parye no c
]o urw the queen
(ti-agiy-ya)
]b wki
( ti-ou-roa )
]e k` kl/c i a
the church ti-ek-lee-siy-ya
]b w ` nalo li
the vine ti-voa-en-aloli
` tve
` ymau
the heaven
the mother
]kaye dr a
`tse r i
` yn/b
(eth- mav)
(13)
(ti-ri)
(ti-shouree)
( ti-et-riyas)
the Virgin (ti partheanos)
the slave - servant
]b aki
(et-fae)
the Trinity
(ti-gom)
(ti-voaki)
the cathedral (kathaedra)
the city
(ti-vaki)
the daughter - girl (et-shaeri)
the lady
(eth-neep)
.
(2) PLURAL NOUNS
The definite article for plural nouns is
NI
. The indefinite article is
HAN,
for both masculine and feminine plural nouns.
Most Coptic nouns do not change in plural . We understand the number we are
dealing with, by the plural articles used.
pi r wmi
the man
(pi-roami )
ni rwmi
our wmi
a man
(ou-roami)
hanr wmi
pi ws
the lesson
(pi-oash)
ouws
a lesson
]se ri
ouse r i
]r i
our i
(ou-oash)
the men
men
ni ws
the lessons
hanws
lessons
the girl
(ti- shaeri)
ni se r i
a girl
(ou-shaeri )
hanse ri
girls
the rooms
the room
(ti-ri)
ni r i
a room
(ou-ri)
hanri
the girls
(ni-roami)
(han-roami)
(ni-oash)
(han-oash)
(ni-shaeri)
(han-shaeri)
(ni-ri)
rooms
(han-ri)
the doors
(ni-roa-ou)
the mouths
(ni-roa-ou)
Some Coptic nouns change in the plural form.
pi r o
the door
(pi-ro)
pi r w the mouth
(pi-roa)
pi o ur o
(pi-ou-ro)
the king
ni rwo u
ni rwo u
ni our wo u the kings
(14)
(ni-ou-roa-ou)
pi i ar o
pi ` e swtthe merchant
` vi wt
the father
pi b e lle
pi alo u
ni e so]
pi-ae-shoat
ni ye se u
the blind (pi-vellae)
the boy
the heaven
(pi-alou)
the fathers
(ni-ya-roa-ou)
(ni-ae-shoti)
(ni- yoti)
the neighbours (ni-thae-shaev)
ni b e lle u
the blinds
(ni-vel-laev)
ni alwo u` i
the boy
(ni-alo-ou-wi)
ni v/ou` i
(et-fae)
the rivers
the merchants
ni i o ]
(efyoat)
pi ye se the neighbour pi-thaeshae
` tve
ni i ar wo u
the river (pi-yaro)
the heavens (ni-fee-ouw-wee)
(3) NOUNS USED WITHOUT ARTICLES
A - Some rare nouns do not take articles (definite or indefinite) .
example is
ame n] ,
which means hell ( a-men-ti ).
B - Nouns made up of a verb and the relative pronoun
and
v/e t, y/e t
n/e t do not usually take an article.
v/e t
who, whom
The typical
(fi-aet)
for
singular masculine
singular
y/e t
who, whom (thi-aet)
for
n/e t
who, whom (ni-aet)
for plural of both genders
(15)
feminine
v/e the mc i hi je n pi ` yr onoc .
The one who sits \ is sitting on the throne
y/e yo uab Mari a
( =
(fi-aet haemsi hijaen pi-eth-ronos)
y/e to uab , changing the t to y )
(the) Saint Mary
(thi-aeth-ouw-wab mariy-ya)
n/e tswni qe n pi lao c
those who are sick ( = the sick )
in the people
( ni-aet shoani khaen pi-la-woc )
C - When a noun is associated with a familiar adjective like: any, every , no.
ou ` n
any
he mc i hi je n ou ~ ntotc
` mpe r sar i ` e o u ` nalo u
ni b e n
Sit on any chair.
(haem-si hijaen ou en tots)
Do not hit any boy . (empaer shari ae ou en alou)
every
` sl/l qe n e k` kl/c i a ni b e n
Pray in every church
(eshleel khaen aek-lee-siy-ya nivaen)
kata hwb ni b e n
ouon ` nt/i
I have
` mmon jo m ` nt/i
Ouo n nah] ` nt/i
at every occasion
` mmo n ` nt/i
I have no power
I have faith.
( kata hoab nivaen )
I do not have
( emmon gom en-tee )
(ouon nahti entee)
(16)
GENERAL PRACTICE
ni m pe
pi rwmi v/e t` sl/l?
Who is the man praying ?
pi r wmi v/e t` sl/l pe pi o u/b .
ni m te
]se ri y/e tc aji
]se ri y/e tc aji
te
?
The man praying is the priest.
Who is the girl speaking ?
]se r i ` n ni ye se u.
The girl speaking ( who speaks \ is speaking ) is the daughter of the neighbours.
]se ri y/e tc aji ouse r i ` n ni ye se u te .
The girl speaking ( who speaks \ is speaking ) is a daughter of the neighbours.
ni m ne
ni r wmi n/e tc wte m ` e pi r adi o (#) ?
Who are the men listening to the radio?
nim nae niroami nee-aet soataem ae pi-radio
ni r wmi n/e tc wte m ` e pi r adi o
ne
ni e so ]
The men listening (who listen \ are listening ) to the radio are the merchants.
ni r wmi n/e tc wte m ` e pi r adi o hane so] ne .
The men listening to the radio are merchants.
pi lao c ` n </mi oulao c ` n jwr i
pe
The people of Egypt is a strong people .
]se ri y/e te rhwb qe n pi /i ` nni ye se u, o ure mn` ,/mi te .
The girl working (who works) in the neighbours' house is Egyptian (Coptic).
# newly introduced word
(17)
ni totc n/e tqe n ]r i hantotc ` mb e r i ne .
The chairs in (lit that in) the room are new (chairs).
oum/s ` n ni jwm n/e t,/ e je n ]vo rsi , hanjwm ` n apac ne .
Many of the books ( lit that are ) on the table are old books.
RELIGIOUS APPLICATION
,e r e Mar i a ]o ur w ]b w ` nalo li ` n ate r qe llw.
Peace (Hail) to you Mary, the queen, the ever young ( lit that does not age ) vine.
(shaerae mareyya ti-ouroa ti-voa en aloli en at- aer- khelloa )
,e r e ne Mar i a ` pc w] ` n Adam pe ni wt ,e r e ne Mari a
` ymau
` m pi ma` mvwt
Peace to you O Mary the salvation of our father
Adam, peace to you Mary the mother of the shelter .
(shaerae nae mareyya epsoati
en- adam paen- yoat, shaeraeh nae mareyya eth- mav em-pi-ma-em-foat )
ounof ` mmo Mar i a ]b wki * o uo h ]mau
Rejoice O Mary the maiden and (the) mother.(ounof emmo mareyya ti-voaki ouwoh ti-mav)
` P[ oi c ` Vno u] ` ` nte ni jo m jo ust ` e b o l qe n tve
The master, the God of (All) Powers look from heaven .
(ep-choys efnouti entae ni-gom gousht aevol khaen etfae)
* Some feminine names and adjectives differ from masculine ones.
qe llwfem.
old ( qe llo masc)
(18)
bwki
fem. slave (bwk masc),
` mpe r e r ho] mo non nah]
Do not be afraid just beleive.
( empaer aer-hoti monon nahti )
m/ vai pe pi amse ` ps/ri ` mMar i a o uo h ` pc o n ` nI akwb o c
?
Is this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of Jacob.
( mi fay paeh pi-amshae ep-sheeri em- mariy-ya ouw-woh epson en-yakoavos)
pi e rve i ` n ]e k` kl/c i a o uma e fo uab pe .
church is a holy place
The sanctuary of the
(pi-aerfaey aen ti-aekli-siy-ya ouma aef -ouw-wab pae)
n/e tc e b twt ` e ]ounou ne m pi e ho ou ne m pi ab o t.
Who were (kept) ready for the hour, the day and the month
( nee-aet-saev-toat ae ti- ou-nou naem pi-eho-ou naem pi-avot )
VOCABULARY
ni m
te
who
(*) is (singl. fem.)
radi o
(#int)
jwr i
strong
,e r e -,ai re
radio
(nim)
pe (*)
(tae)
ne
(radio)
(goari)
OG#
for greeting
is (singl. masc.)
(*) are ( plural )
</mi
e rhwb
Egypt
to work
,ai re te
MG#
(pae)
(nae)
(keemi)
(aer-hoab)
hello, good day
___________________________________________________________________
(*) pe (sing. masc.), te (sing.fem.) and ne are the descriptive form of verb to be, is, is, are
(19)
,e r e
hail - peace
( shaerae )
,e r e ne
peace to you (sing fem)
qe llo
old (sing. masc.) ( khello)
e rqe llo
to get old, age(aerkhello)
qe llwold
e rqe llw
(sing. fem.) (khelloa)
ate rqe llw(*)
does not age
- ever young (at-aer-khel-loa)
c w]
to save
` pc w]
the salvation
pe ni wt(**) our father
(pen-yoat)
vwt
pi ma` mvwt the shelter
pi-ma-em-foat
pi ab o t
ounof ` mmo
e r ho]
mo non OG\MG#
(aer-hoti)
only,merely (monon)
pi nah] the belief
the fear
nah]
to believe
m/ vai pe ? is this?
yai te
this is (sing fem) (thay tae)
nai ne
pi amse
the carpenter (pi-amshae)
ni qe llo i
c e b twt ` e
these are
( nahti )
( mee )
mee fay-pae
(nay nae)
the old people (ni-khelloy)
ni ` c n/ou
(pi-son)
( pi - hoti )
interrogative word
this is (singl.masc.) (fay pae)
the brother
( pi-avot )
the joy - happiness
vai pe
pi c on
(ep-soati)
the month
pi ho ]
m/
- faith (pi-nahti)
(soati)
to escape - take a shelter
` po uno f
rejoice (ounof emmo)
to be afraid
to get old (for sing. fem)
ready, prepared for
]o uno u
( saev-toat ae )
pi ` e ho ou
the brothers ni-es-niy-you
the hour
( ti-ounou )
the day ( pi-ae-ho-ou )
_______________________________________________________________________
* atarqe llw is a compound adjective made of at- = un- , e r - = to be or to do and qe llw old
for single fem.nouns /adj. **
father
pa-i wt my father pe k-i wtyour father (sing masc) pe n-i wtour
(20)
UNIT 4
PRESENT TENSES OF VERB
A - Simple present :
to describe a situation or action, or to state a fact.
] c wte m
FIRST PERSON SINGULAR
SECOND PERSON SINGULAR
I hear, do hear
` k c wte m
you hear, do hear
(ti - soataem)
(masculine)
( ek-soataem)
te c wte m
you hear, do hear ( feminine )
( tae-soataem )
THIRD PERSON SINGULAR
~
`
F c wte m
he ( or it *) hears,
(sing masc)
` c c wte m
FIRST PERSON PLURAL
te n c wte m
SECOND PERSON PLURAL
te te n c wte m
c e c wte m
( ef - soataem )
she ( or it *) hears, does hear
(sing fem)
THIRD PERSON PLURAL
( does ) hear
we hear, do hear
(aes -soa -taem)
(taen-soataem)
you hear , do hear
( plural )
(taetaen soataem)
they hear, do hear
(masc \ fem)
( sae - soataem )
* it , used in English for lifeless things does not exist . pe for he and te for she are used instead
(21)
B - Continuous present tense
describes an action still happening. In Coptic
it is also used for special adjective construction based on the past participle.
e i c aji
e kc aji
e r e c aji
I am speaking
(aey saji )
you are speaking (singl.masc.)
( aek-saji )
you are speaking (singl. femin)
(aerae saji)
e fc aji
he is speaking
(aef saji)
e c c aji
she is speaking
(aes saji)
e nc aji
we are speaking
(aen saji)
e r e te nc aji
e uc aji
you are speaking (plural masc\fem)
they are speaking (plural masc\fem)
(aeraetaen saji)
(aev saji)
RULES
(1) Most Coptic verbs do not change in the various tenses i.e. the ends remain the
same. The changes are confined to the subject pronouns.
(2)The subject pronouns
], ` k, te , ` f, ` c , te n, te te n and c e for
the pronouns e i , e k, e re , e f, e c , e n,
the simple present and,
e re te n and e u for the present continuous, indicate the subject(s) who
carries out the action. Unlike the case in English, there are other subject pronouns
for “ I, you, he, she,..etc, that are used independently. These are :
anok
I
` nyo
you (sing.fem)
(anok)
(entho)
` nyok
you
` nyof
(22)
he
(sing.masc)
(enthok)
(enthof)
` nyoc
she
` nywte n
anon
(enthos)
you (plur) enthoataen
`
` ` `
we
(anon)
nywou they
(plural)
(enthoa-ou)
Examples
anok pe pi rwmi
I am the man
` nyoc te ]se ri .
She is the girl.
anon ne ni re m` n,/mi
We are the Egyptians
(3) To negate a verb in the simple present or continuous present tense,
an
is added
after the verb.
]c aji an
“an ” means “not”.
I do not speak .
` kc e b twt an
You are not ready.
te c woun an
You do not know.
` fnah] an
He does not believe.
` c ouws an
She does not want .
te nouwm an
We do not eat .
te te nka] an
cecw
an
( ti-saji an )
(ek-saev-toat an)
( tae-soa-oun an )
(ef-nahti an)
(es-ouw-woash an)
(taen-ouw-woam an)
You (plural)do not understand
They do not drink .
e i he mc i an qe n ]ri
(taetaen-kati an)
(sae-soa an)
I am not sitting in the room.
( aey-haem-si an khaen ti-ri )
(23)
e fe rhwb an ` mvoou
He is not
working
today.
(aef-aer-hoab an em- fo- ou)
e uc aji an ` n]ac pi ` nre m` n,/mi
They are not speaking
the
Coptic language (aev-saji an en-ti-aspi en raem-en-keemi)
(4) In English, pronouns can not be used in presence of nouns.Thus, we say
“the boy speaks” or “he speaks” but, can not say “the boy he speaks”. In
Coptic, pronouns are usually added to the verb in the presence of nouns.So we
say pi alou ` fc aji , ]se ri ~ c c aji and ni rwmi c e c aji
There are however examples where pronouns are not used in the presence of
nouns e.g. ouoh pi koc moc c wte m e rwou "and the world listen to
them". Accordingly, we may say pi alou c aji , ]se ri c aji ...etc
GENERAL PRACTICE
ni m te ]se ri
y/e the mc i e c c aji
ne m ni ye se u?
Who is the girl sitting ,( and ) speaking with the neighbours ?
ni m pe pi rwmi
v/e the mc i e fc wte m e pi radi o
?
Who is the man sitting ( and ) listening to the radio ?
ni m ne ni alwou` i n/e t[oji qe n pi [wm e uje rje r ?
Who are the boys running in the park ( and ) playing ?
m/ ` kc aji
` n]ac pi
` nre m` n,/mi
?
Do you speak the Coptic
language?
c e ]c aji ` n]ac pi ` nre m` n,/mi ouoh ]ac pi ` ` n arab
( on) .
Yes , I speak the Coptic language and (also) the Arabic language.
(24)
` mmon, ]c aji an ` n]ac pi ` nre m` n,/mi alla ]c aji
` n]ac pi ` n anjli k # (mod G) ouoh ]ka] ` mme toue i ni n.
No, I do not speak the Coptic language but I speak the English language and I
understand Greek.
m/ Cami ` fme i ` e ouwm ` naf
Does Sami like to eat meat or fish?
i e te b t ?
(mee Sami ef-maey ae ouw-woam en-af yae
taebt)
Cami ` fme i ` nhouo ` mpi af, alla kata c /ou ` fouwm
` nte b t .
Sami prefers the meat but, every now and then, he eats
fish.
Pe troc ne m I r/ni c e [i c ak ` mpi pac ,a ` e ` sl/l qe n
]e k` kl/c i a ` n rouhi ni b e n.
Petros and Ireeni take
the opportunity of the “ Pass- over / Holy Week “ to pray in the church every
evening.
m/ Cte van ne m Markoc e uare h sa ]nou
? Are Stephan and
Marcus studying until now ?
RELIGIOUS APPLICATION
` nyok pe ` pouro ` nte ni ourwou
I /c ouc de , e fmosi ` e c ke n
You are the king of kings.
` vi om ` nte ]Gali le a. . .
As Jesus was walking beside the sea of Gallilee, ...
te nouwst ` mvnou] qe n ouho] ne m ouc ye rte r.
We worship (lit the) God in awe (lit fear) and tremble (reverence) .
(taen-ouw-woasht em-ef-nouti khaen ou-hoti naem ou-estaer-taer )
(25)
hoc e nonq te n` c mou ` e pi ran e youab ` nte pe n[oi c
ouoh
pe nnou] ouoh pe nc wt/r I /c ouc pi ` <ri c toc
So long we are living we bless the holy name of our Lord , God and saviour
Jesus Christ .
( hos aen-onkh taen-esmou ae-pi-ran aeth-ouw-wab en- tae paen
choys ouw-woh paen-nouti ouw-woh paen-soateer eesous pi-ekh-ristos )
i c je n ni ` e hoou ` nte I wann/c pi re f]wmc sa e qoun
` e ]nou ]me touro ` nte ni v/oui c e [i ( ` mmoc *) ` njonc
From (since) the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven
is taken ( lit . they take it
c e [i mmoc
) forcefully .
( isjaen ni-eho-ou entae yoa-an-nees pi-raefti-oams sha aekhoun ae tinou timaet-ouro entae ni-fi-ouw-wi sae-chi emmos en-gons)
anok oure mraus ouoh ]ye b i /out
I am gentle and humble.
]me touro ` nte
e fkw] ` nc a
` nourwmi
ni v/ou` i
` hananam/i ` e nane u
` c oni
` ne swt
The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant man
looking for fine pearls . ( ti-maet-ouro entae nifi-ouw-wi es-oni en-ou- roami en aeshoat aef-koati ensa han-anamee ae-nanaev )
n/e tjor c e e r,ri a an ` mpi c /i ni
Those who are strong do not need
(the) doctor
_______________________________________________________________________
*~
mmoi , ` mmok, ` mmo , ` mmof , ` mmoc
.. are object pronouns, meaning me, you, you,
him (it)
]c woun ` mmok I
her (it) ..eg
know you .
]me i ` mmof
I love him.
(26)
VOCABULARY
[oji
to run
je rje r
pi [wm
the garden
]ac pi
the language
(choji)
to play (jaer-jaer)
re m` narab i a Arabic (raem-en-aravia)
Arab ac *G
Arab (masc) (aravas)
Arab
Arab i a
(pi-choam)
(ti aspi)
Arab ( adjective . noun)
Arab land
(aravya)
Arab i a ` nRe mc woudSaudi Arabia
Aggli a*G
Re m` naggli a# . Anjli k# English
(raem-en-anglia) (anglik)
Oue i ni n
Greek
(ou-wey-nin)
England (ang-lya)
me toue i ni n
Greek
language
ka]
me i
to understand
(kati)
to love
pi te b t
(maey)
ka] ( p)
n
pi af
undersanding
the meat
the fish
(pi-taebt)
me i ` nhou` o
the increase
(pi-hou-o)
e rhou` o
(pi-af)
to prefer maey
enhou-o
pi hou` o
to increase
(aer-
hou-o)
pi c /ou
the time
(pi-siy-you)
kata c /ou sometimes (kata
siy-you)
kata*OG /MG
[i c ak
according (kata)
take the opportunity chi -
sak
pac ,a( pi )
rouhi)
Holy week of paskha
pi rouhi
the evening (pi-
]nou
now
(ti-nou)
e c ke n
next to - along
(aeskaen)
pi ho]
e rho]
(pi-hoti)
the fear
to be afraid
( aer-
hoti)
pi ` c ye rte r
hoc
the tremble (pi-estaer-taer)
*OG
as long as
(hos)
__________________________________________________________________
#Aggli a from Angles, german people settled in East Britain in 5th century. Re maggli a ,
English, (re m) related to, aggli
a. Anjli k, Engish , for simplification.
(27)
oc o
# MG as long as - as far as
(oso)
oc oc # MG
(oankh)
pi wnq
as much \ as many
as
wnq ( onq)
to live
the life
(pi-
oankh)
i c je n
since
pi ` e hoou
(is-jaen)
the day
(pi-
eho-ou)
]wmc
to baptise
sa e qoun e
(ti-oams)
re f]wmc
until (sha aekhoun ae)
Baptist ( raef-ti-oams)
[i ` njonc
to take by
ye b i /out
humble (thaevee-
force
re mraus
gentle
(raem-ravsh)
out)
ye b i o
me touro( ])
to be humble - humiliate
kingdom (maet-
ouro)
` oni
to be like
(oni)
kw]
to go round -
surround
` m` pkw]
for
around
(em-ep-koati)
kw] ` nc a to look for -search
anam/i
OG(paerl) - diamond (anamee)
n/e tjor
those who are strong
e nane u
fine - good ae-nanaev
e r` ,ri a
G
to need (aer-ek-
riya)
],ri a-~ ,re i a
sat
need
O\MG
to need - be in need
(shat)
pi c /i ni
the doctor
]me tc /i ni
(pi-seeni)
medicine (maet-
seeni)
IMPORTANT USAGE
NANE
good . fine
nane e masw
,
very good
nane rouhi
good evening
nane toou` i
good
morning
qe n
ouc /ou
` e nane f
in good time
(28)
ourwmi ` e nane f
*
good man
ouse ri ` e nane c *
a
good girl
hanalwou` i ` e nane u*
good boys
pe ynane f
goodness -
kindness
( agayon) G
goodness - kindness
e rpe ynane f
to do what is
good
c ai ` e *(sing. masc.)beautiful say-ae
(say-ee)
c ai ` /*
(sig. fem.) beautiful
c ai ` e u ? * plural
c ai ` e b al
beautiful say-aev
of beautiful
eyes
NOFRI
nice .good. full of goodness
nofri e jwrh
nofri ` e hoou
aeho-ou
e rnofri
` c e rnofri an
good
night
good day nofri
to be of use - good \ earn
It is no good . It does not work. of no use
` c e rnofri ` e he mc i
It is better to sit
`c e rnofri an ` e
It is
better not to
kata pe te rnofri
if suitable, if reasonable (lit according to what is
good).
nofri sai
greeting exchanged in feasts (happy feast)
nofri rompi ne m I /c ouc , nofri rompi ne m I /c ouc
Happy yaer with Jesus (four times) , singing in birthdays .
_______________________________________________________
* note how some adjectives do change according to their number and gender. nane f , nane c
and nane u is good for sing.masc., sing. fem. and plural respectively. And c ai ` e , c ai ` /
and (c ai ` e u?) beautiful for sing. masc., sing. fem. and plural respectively. And c ab e ,
c ab / and c ab e u wise for sing.masc., sing. fem. and plural respectively.
(29)
UNIT 5
VERBS OF BEING, LINK VERBS
( 1 ) The common verb “to be” is incomplete because it needs to be followed by a
completing word, called a complement, e.g. The sky is blue. Here the “sky” is a
subject, “is” is the link verb that requires completion, and “blue” is a
complement.
A- Descriptive verb “to be” in Coptic:
pe
anok pe pi rwmi .
“is” for sing. masculine
I
am
the
man.
te
“is” for sing. feminine
ne
“are” for plural
`nyoc
te ]mau.
She is the mother.
`nywou ne ni ou/b
They are the
priests.
ou or han
When the complement has the indefinite article
the descrip.verb is
generally placed at the end of the sentence.
anok ourwmi pe .
I am a man
` nyoc oumau te
She is a mother
` nywou hanou/b ne
ne . . . . . . . . pe
(anok ou-roami pae)
they are priests
=
WAS ,
(enthos ou-mav tae)
(en-thoa-ou han-ouw-weeb nae)
the descriptive verb to be in the past .
WERE
ne ]vrw pe
It was winter.
(nae ti-ef-roa-pae )
(30)
Pe troc ne ourwmi ` nswi j pe
Petros was a courageous man.
( petros nae ou-roami en shoayg pae)
ne ` e nane c ` e masw pe .
(She) was very nice.
(nae ae-nanaes ae-mashoa pae)
ne ouon ouanz/b ` mnai pe
There was a school here.
(nae ou-on ou-anzeeb em-nay pae)
ne ` mmon ` hli ( pe ) ` mmau
There was no body (there).
(nae em-mon eh-li pae em-mav)
B- Verb “to be” expressing position or location , in Coptic :
e f,/ - e fsop
e c ,/ - e c sop
e u,/ - e usop
is ( present, located), for sing. masc. (aef-kee - aef-shop)
is (present, located), for sing. fem.
are (present, located), for plural
* `f,/, ` c ,/, c e ,/ and
(aes-kee - aes-shop)
(aev-kee - aev-shop)
` fsop, ` c sop, c e sop
can also be
used,
but not as often.
pi rwmi e f,/ ( e fsop) qe n pi /i .
The man is in the
house.
]e k` kl/c i a e c ,/ ( e c sop) qe n }mi ` nhour
(present-situated) in Damanhour.
The church is
ti-aek-liciy-ya aes-kee\(aes-hop) khaen timi-
en-hoor
(31)
ni jwm e u,/ ( e usop) hi je n ] vorsi .
The books are on the
table.
pi ke le ui n ` f,/ qa ` ynouni ` nni ss/
The axe is at the root of
the trees.
(pi-kaelaevin efkee kha eth-nouni en-ni-esh-sheen )
The past tense
of
e f,/ , e c ,/
and
e u,/
is
naf,/ , nac ,/
and
nau,/, meaning WAS and WERE (present, located). The same applies for
e fsop, e c sop and e usop, the past form of which is nafsop,
nac sop and nausop.
It should be noted that the past form of verb to be expressing position can to be
followed by pe , as noted in the past tense of the descriptive verb ‘to be’.
pi alou naf,/f ` mmau pe .
The boy was
there.
]e kkl/c i a nac ,/ qe n ` ym/] ` n]b aki pe .
in the middle of the city .
The church was
(ti-aek-lee-siy-ya nas-kee khaen aeth- meeti en ti-
vaki pae)
( 2 ) Other link verbs are: to seem and to become. These are sometimes
called verbs of being, because verbs of this kind have the same basic meaning as
the verb to be. Furthermore, and like verb to be, they must have an object to
make sense. It is not possible to say “ He became ” without completing the
sentense.
` c ouwnh ( je ) ` fje rje r ` nte ni c
It seems (that) he
plays tennis.
` c ouwnh ( je ) ` c ka] an ` n]me tre m` n,/mi .
It seems (that)
she does not understand Coptic. ( es-ou-woanh jae es-kati an en-ti-maet - raem - en
- keemi )
(32)
pi ou/b ` fouwnh je oure m` n,/mi pe .
The priest seems to be
Coptic.
]c /i ni ` c ouwnh je e c ye b i /out.
The (lady) doctor looks
humble
er
prefix , added to a noun or adjective to mean to do or to be.eg c ab e
wise, e rc ab e to be wise and hwb work, e rhwb to work.
` f[i ` c b w ` mme tc /i ni ` e e r ouc /i ni . He
studies medicine to
( ef-chi-esvoa em-maet-seeni ae aer
become a doctor.
ou-seeni)
mpe re r c oj.
Do not be ( act as ) stupid.
(em-paer aer-
sog)
c e e r pi e jwrh e uc omc ` e pi te le b i zi on # ( te le nau# G-C )
They spend the night watching TV.
(sae aer-pi-aegoarh aev-soms ae pitaelae-
viz-yon : taelae-nav )
te ne r
pi ansasf
` mpac ,a
qe n
We spend the
week of
paskha
in
(taenaer pi-an-shashf em-paskha khaen ti-aek-lee-siy-ya )
ni jwm c e e r-apac ` n,wle m.
]e k` kl/c i a.
the
church.
The books become (get) old
quickly.
swpi
has many meanings, one of these is “ to be “ or “ become “.
swpi ` nyo e re c omc ` e jwn
Be
watchful upon us.
swpi ` nc ab e ouoh
c wte m ` e ]c m/ ` mVnou Be wise and
listen to the voice of God. (Shoapi en savae ouw-woh soataem ae ti-es-mee em-efnooti )
swpi e kka] ` e pi anti di koc
Be understanding to the adversary.
( shoapi aek-kati ae pi-antithikos )
(33)
ac *swpi me ne nc a ` hme ` n` e hoou
It happened , after forty days.
o uo n .. pe
there is
(as-shoapi maenaen-sa ehmae en-eho-ou )
ne ouon . . pe
there was
ouon ourwmi pe e te rhwb qe n ouman]vaqri .
There is a man who works in a pharmacy
( ou-on ou-roami pae aet-aerhoap khaen ou manti-fakhri)
ne ouon ouse ri pe ` e pe c ran pe Cali .
There was a girl whose name is Sally.
sali )
( nae ouon ou-shaeri pae ae paes-ran pae
_________________________________________________________________
(*) Past tense : ai c wte m I heard, ak c wte m, you (sing. masc.) heard, are c wte m you (sing. fem.) heard, af c wte m he heared , ac c wte m she heard, an
c wte m we heard , are te n c wte m you heard (plur), au c wte m they heard
ac
(for the past) and ` c (for the present) can indicate the weather or an ill-defined
subject: ` c e rjaf It is cold.
` c ouwnh e b o l it seems
ac swpi It
happened.
(34)
RELIGIOUS APPLICATION
` nywte n pe ` vouwi ni ` mpi koc moc .
You are the light of the
world.
` mmon ` sjom ` nte * oub aki ,wp e c ,/ hi je n outwou.
( emmon eshgom entae ou-
A city ( present - situated ) on a hill cannot be hidden.
vaki koap aes-kee hijaen ou-toa-ou )
Vai ne ouar,/te lwn/c pe ouoh ne ourama` o pe .
He
(this) was a chief tax collector and was rich.( nae archi-taeloanees pae ouwoh en ou-ramao pae)
Nẁ e
de
naf,/
qe n
c oou
se
` nrompi .
Noah was (in) six hundred years(old). noa-ae thae naf-kee khaen so-ou shae en-roampi
Nẁ e ne ourwmi ` nym/i pe .
Noah was a righteous
man .
ni ` e b olqe n
` vnah]: nai
ne
ni s/ri
` nAb raam
(Those) from (= of) the faith, (these) are the sons of Abraham.
nai
e te
pou**hou` o
sop
sa
` e qoun
` e ]nou
most of whom are still living (lit These whom ,their majority present) until now.
ne ouon ourwmi e fsop qe n Bab ulwn:` e pe fran ** pe
I waki m. There was a man ( present - living) in Babylon, whose name is Iowakim
(naehou-on ouroami aefshop khaen vaviloan ae paefran pae yo-wakim)
pai r/] ` nywte n
pi I c ra` /l.
That
Israel.
hanc oj qa
ne n(
=
ni ) s/ri
` m
way you are (omitted in this verse) stupid, O sons of
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
*` mmon ` sjom not possible ]b aki ` nte f- a city to- ,wp to hide = ` nte
]b aki ,wp **pa ran , pe k ran, pe ran, pe f ran , pe c ran, pe n
ran, pe te n ran, pou ran my name, your name, your name (sing. fem.) , his name,
her name, our name, their name.
(35)
afswpi ( n/i *) ` n ouc wt/ri a.
He became {past tense} a salvation
for me*.
Dani /l
de
afe r
ouni s]
` mpe ` myo
` mpi laoc .
Daniel became \ was {past tense**} great before (lit in front ) the people .
ne
ouon oub e lle
pe
e fsatme ynai .
A blind man was
e fhe mc i
qate n
pi mwi t
sitting by the road begging.
pi wmc ` nte I wann/c ne ou ` e b olqe n ni rwmi
pe
?
John`s Baptism, was it from men ?
Te n` e mi an je ou ` e b olywn.
(` e b olywn means “from where”; “it was”
ouoh
naf,/
` mmau
He was there until the end of Herod.
eerodees )
` mpe rwrk ` ntve je pi `
I e roc al/m je ` yb aki `
` mpe rwrk ` nte kave je
oukap ` nfwi ` nouwb s i e
pe
We do not know where it was from.
is omitted in the Coptic verse .)
sa
` tqae
` n?rod/c
(ouw-woh naf-kee em-mav pae sha et-kha-ae en
yronoc ` mVnou] pe , ou de
mpi ni s] ` nouro te , ou de
` mmon ` sjom ` mmok*** ` e e r
ouai ` n,ame .
Do not swear by heaven for it is God`s throne, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the
Great King, and do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one thread of hair white
or black.
__________________________________________________________________
*n/i ,
nak, ne , naf , nac , nan , nwte n , nwou for me, for you, for you, for him, for
her, for us, for them. ** ai , ak, are , af , ac . . subject pronouns for verbs in the past.***
` mmoi , ` mmok. ` mmo . ` mmof , ` mmoc , ` mmon , . .object pronouns, me, you, you,
him, her, us ....
(36)
VOCABULARY
swi j
( ]) me tswi
courageous-hero (shoayg)
( ]) ` vrw
winter
j
courage
( pi ) h/ne vrw
(efroa)
autumn hee-en-
ef.
( pi ) swm
ouon
(shoam)
there is \ are
(ou-on)
ne ouon there was \ were
(anzeeb)
re m` anz/b
(em-nay)
`mmau
( ]) anz/b
` mnai
( pi ) h/nswm
summer
school
here
` hli
thing
spring heen-sh.
pupil - student
there
(em - mav)
` mmon ` hli
(ehli)
nae o.
nothing - no
body
( pi ) jwm
book
( ]) vorsi
table
( pi ) ke le b i n
(pi-goam)
(forshi)
axe
man,ajwm #C-C
book case
( ]) trape za# O\MG-AA
(kaelaevin)
( ]) nouni
table
root - origin
(nooni)
( pi ) ` ss/n
tree
( ]) m/]
(esheen)
middle
(ti -
( pi ) ]mi
town
meeti)
( ]) b aki
(timi)
city
(vaki)
ouwnh
to seem - appear (ouwoanh)
je rje r
ouwnh ` e b ol to express - confess
( pi ) ouwnh e b ol
[i ` c b w
to play
(jaer-jaer)
qe n ououwnh e b ol
openly
expression - show (of gratitude or thanks) - confession
to study
c oj
(chi-aesvoa)
stupid
(sog)
#c-c compound Coptic word, made of ma place , ,a to put, jwm books .
(37)
( pi ) e jwrh
c omc
night
to watch - regard
(soms)
apac
( ]) me tc ab e
c ab e
wise
(savae)
( ]) c ab /
wise
feminine
( ]) ` c m/
voice
anti di koc
( pi ) e hoou
( pi ) ansasf
(pi-aegoarh)
`hme
day
(apas)
wisdom
after
(menaensa)
forty
(ehmae)
( pi ) ou` wi ni
(eho - ou)
(mets.)
wise {plural} (savaev)
me ne nc a
*O\M Gk opponent - adversary
anshashf
old
c ab e u
(esmee)
week
light
(ou-
oay-ni)
( pi ) koc moc #O\MG universe - world
,wp
to hide
(koap)
( pi ) twou hill - mountain (toa-ou)
ar,/-ar,i
te lwn/c
( arshee / arkhee - arshi / arkhi)
te loc
c oou
OG tax collector teloanees
# MG tax - duty
six
( ]) rompi
year
#G
(taelos)
ar,/te lwn/c
(so-ou)
se
(rompi)
chief tax officer
hundred
` ym/i
head - chief
righteous
(shae)
(ethmee)
( pi ) hou` o
majority \\ excess
`mpe ` myo
hou-o
in front - before empae-
emtho
( ]) c wt/ri
laoc
a*O\MG
salvation
MG #
O\M G people-multitude-masses
( pi ) mwi t
way - road
(moayt)
( pi ) wmc
baptism
` e b olywn
where from (aevol-thoan)
ni s]
safety - security soati-riya
great - large
qate n
(oams)
e mi
(nishti)
at
(khataen)
to know - be aware
( ]) qa` e
(aemi)
end
(kha-
ae)
( pi ) ` yronoc
wrk
O\M G\Int throne ethronos
to swear
(oark)
(38)
( ]) ` ave
head
(afae)
av/ou` i
heads
(afee-ouw-
we)
e r` ave
be - become the head \ chief
( pi ) kap
thread - fibre
(
kap)
( pi ) fwi
hair
(foay)
ouwb s
white
(ou-
oabsh)
ouai (masc)
ouway
ou` i
,ame
(fem) ou-e one
black
(kamae)
ouon ` sjom ` m\`n
` mmon ` sjom ` m\`n
possible - can be
(ou-on eshgom em \ en)
cannot be done - impossible
emmon eshgom
em/en
IMPORTANT USAGE
ou ` e b olywn pe ` nyok \ te ` nyo
from ?
?
Where are you
]` e b ol qe n Rako]
I am from
Alexandria.
]` e b ol qe n Ame ri k/
te .
I am from America,
, anok oure mame ri k/ pe /
MG \ Int #
I am American.
m/ ` nyok / ` nyo ou ` e b olqe n Kanada ?
Are you from
Canada?
e k,/ \ e re ,/ qe n ou ` nrompi ?
How old are
you ?
` ke r \ te e r
ou/r ` nrompi
?
How old are
you ?
e i ,/ qe n m/](*) `nrompi .
I am ten years
old.
]e r
` hme
` nrompi .
I am forty years
old.
_________________________________________________________________
*Numbers fron one (ouai masc., ou`
ding to the gender. Since
]rompi
i
fem.) to ten (m/t masc., m/] fem) differ accor-
, the year, is feminine, the fem. number m/] is used.
(39)
ni m pe ` nyok \ ni m te ` nyo ?
` nyok pe Mark ?
pe kran pe Mark ?
` mmon, anok an pe Mark.
Paran pe Pe troc
Who are you ?
Are you Mark ?
Is your name Mark?
No, I am not Mark.
My name is Peter
anok pe pi c /i ni . anok te ]noc okom.modG #
I am the doctor \ I am the nurse.
anok ouc /i ni pe . anok ounoc okom te .
I am a doctor. I am a
nurse.
as pe pe kran \ pe ran ?
paran pe Cami \ Cami a.
What is your name ?
or
paran Cami \ Cami a pe .
My name is Sami / Samya
.
c e mou] e rok* \ e ro * je ou?
What is your name ?(lit.,what do they call you / what are you called?)
c e mou] e roi (*) je Cami \ Cami a.
My name is Sami \ Samya.
(lit I am called / they call me )
________________________________________________________
* E has many meanings, and in this case it acts as an object pronoun for the verb mou].
The dealing is e roi me, e rok you, e ro you (fem), e rof him, e roc her, e ron us,
e rwte n you (plural) and e rwou them. Revise object signs pages 6, 7 and the dealing
of the other object sign ` m pages 26, 36.
# noc okom , modified from modern Greek noc okomoc and noc okoma
(40)