This lesson follows Level 1 of the 2026 Coptic curriculum from the Coptic Family (Bishopric of Youth). Read each part, then try the activity after it. Your answers are saved on this device, so you can stop and come back.
By the end of Level 1 you will be able to:
- read and write the Coptic alphabet
- understand and build simple sentences without a verb, using words heard often in church
“Our liturgy is in Coptic, the language Egypt spoke before the Arabs came. It is a simple language and easy to learn: in a few months a student can read and understand the most important parts of the Liturgy.”
— St Habib Girgis, archdeacon
1. The Coptic alphabet
Coptic is written with the 24 letters of the Greek alphabet, plus 7 letters from Demotic, the last stage of ancient Egyptian writing. One more letter, soou (ⲋ), has no sound and is only used as the number 6. That makes 32 letters.
Letters are also used as numbers: a line above a letter makes it a number, for example ⲁ̅ = 1.
The letters are mostly Greek, but Coptic grammar (articles, linking words and so on) comes from ancient Egyptian.
The jinkim is the small mark above a letter, like ⲛ̀. Over a consonant, say a short “e” before it: ⲛ̀ is “en”. Over a vowel, say that vowel on its own.
The seven vowels
One vowel is open (ⲁ), four sound like “e” or “i” (ⲉ ⲏ ⲓ ⲩ), and two sound like “o” (ⲟ ⲱ).
| Letter | Name | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| Ⲁ ⲁ | Alfa | "a" as in "father" |
| Ⲉ ⲉ | Ei | short "e" as in "bed" |
| Ⲏ ⲏ | Ita | long "ee" |
| Ⲓ ⲓ | Iota | short "i" |
| Ⲩ ⲩ | Epsilon | "oo" after ⲟ, "v" after ⲁ or ⲉ, otherwise "ee" |
| Ⲟ ⲟ | Omicron | short "o" |
| Ⲱ ⲱ | Omega | full, long "o" |
Notice the three “o/oo” sounds: ⲟⲩ is a long “oo”, ⲟ is a short “o”, and ⲱ is a full “o”.
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲏⲓ | house · said "ee" |
| ⲉⲩⲁ | Eve · said "eva" |
| ⲱⲟⲩ | glory · said "o-oo" |
| ⲓⲁ | valley · said "ia" |
| ⲩⲓⲟⲥ | son · said "ee-os" |
The seven letters from Demotic
| Letter | Name | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| Ϣ ϣ | Shai | "sh" |
| Ϥ ϥ | Fai | "f" |
| Ϧ ϧ | Khai | "kh", as in Scottish "loch" |
| Ϩ ϩ | Hori | "h" |
| Ϫ ϫ | Janja | "j" as in "jam" before ⲉ ⲓ ⲏ ⲩ, otherwise "g" as in "go" |
| Ϭ ϭ | Tchima | "ch" as in "church" |
| Ϯ ϯ | Ti | "ti" |
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ϣⲁⲓ | feast · said "shai" |
| ϥⲁⲓ | carry · said "fai" |
| ϧⲣⲉ | food · said "khre" |
| ϩⲟϥ | snake · said "hof" |
| ϫⲱ | say · said "go" |
| ϭⲟϫⲓ | run · said "chogi" |
Letters with one sound
| Letter | Name | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| Ⲍ ⲍ | Zita | "z" |
| Ⲕ ⲕ | Kappa | "k" |
| Ⲗ ⲗ | Laula | "l" |
| Ⲙ ⲙ | Mi | "m" |
| Ⲛ ⲛ | Ni | "n" |
| Ⲝ ⲝ | Eksi | "ks" |
| Ⲡ ⲡ | Pi | "p" |
| Ⲣ ⲣ | Ro | rolled "r" |
| Ⲫ ⲫ | Phi | "f" |
| Ⲯ ⲯ | Epsi | "ps" |
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲣⲱⲙⲓ | man, person · said "romi" |
| ⲙⲁⲩ | mother · said "mav" |
| ⲫⲉ | heaven · said "fe" |
| ⲛⲟⲩϯ | god · said "nouti" |
| ⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ | spirit · said "pnevma" |
| ⲛⲁϩϯ | faith · said "nahti" |
| ⲣⲏ | sun · said "ree" |
Letters with more than one sound
These letters change their sound depending on the letters around them, and on whether the word is Coptic or Greek (see part 3).
| Letter | Name | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| Ⲃ ⲃ | Vida | "v" before a vowel, otherwise "b" |
| Ⲅ ⲅ | Gamma | "g" before ⲉ ⲓ ⲏ ⲩ; "n" before ⲅ ⲕ ⲝ ⲭ; otherwise a soft "gh" |
| Ⲇ ⲇ | Delta | "d" in names, otherwise "th" as in "this" |
| Ⲑ ⲑ | Thita | "t" after ⲥ or ϣ, otherwise "th" as in "think" |
| Ⲭ ⲭ | Khi | "k" in Coptic words; in Greek words "sh" before ⲉ ⲓ ⲏ ⲩ, otherwise "kh" |
| Ⲥ ⲥ | Sima | "s"; "z" before ⲙ in Greek words |
| Ⲧ ⲧ | Tav | "t"; "d" after ⲛ in Greek words |
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲃⲉⲛⲓ | palm tree · said "veni" |
| ⲛⲏⲃ | master · said "neeb" |
| ⲅⲉⲛⲏⲙⲁ | harvest · said "genima" |
| ⲁⲛⲁⲅⲕⲏ | need · said "ananki" |
| ⲅⲣⲁⲫⲏ | scripture · said "ghrafi" |
| Ⲇⲁⲩⲓⲇ | David · said "david" |
| ⲇⲓⲡⲛⲟⲛ | supper · said "thipnon" |
| ⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ | create · said "thamio" |
| ϣ̀ⲑⲏⲛ | tunic · said "eshtin" |
| Ⲭⲏⲙⲓ | Egypt · said "kimi" |
| ⲭⲉⲣⲉ | hail, greetings · said "shere" |
| Ⲡⲓⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ | Christ · said "pikhristos" |
| ⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ | world · said "kozmos" |
| ⲥ̀ⲙⲟⲩ | blessing · said "esmou" |
| ⲉⲛⲧⲟⲗⲏ | commandment · said "endoli" |
| ϥⲉⲛⲧ | worm · said "fent" |
Activity
Name the letter
Choose the name of each letter.
ϣ
ϩ
ϧ
ϫ
ϭ
ϯ
ϥ
ⲏ
ⲱ
ⲯ
Activity
How is it said?
How is the letter in brackets pronounced in each word?
ⲃⲉⲛⲓ (ⲃ)
ⲃ is "v" before a vowel.
ⲛⲏⲃ (ⲃ)
No vowel follows ⲃ here, so it is "b".
ⲙⲁⲩ (ⲩ)
ⲩ after ⲁ is "v": "mav" (mother).
ⲩⲓⲟⲥ (ⲩ)
Nothing comes before ⲩ, so it is "ee".
ⲅⲉⲛⲏⲙⲁ (ⲅ)
ⲅ before ⲉ is "g".
ⲁⲛⲁⲅⲕⲏ (ⲅ)
ⲅ before ⲕ is "n": "ananki".
ⲇⲓⲡⲛⲟⲛ (ⲇ)
It is not a name, so ⲇ is "th".
ⲁⲥⲡⲁⲍⲉⲥⲑⲉ (ⲑ)
ⲑ after ⲥ is "t".
Ⲭⲏⲙⲓ (Ⲭ)
Ⲭⲏⲙⲓ (Egypt) is a Coptic word, so ⲭ is "k".
ⲭⲉⲣⲉ (ⲭ)
A Greek word with ⲉ after ⲭ: "shere" (hail).
ⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ (ⲥ)
In a Greek word, ⲥ before ⲙ is "z": "kozmos".
ⲉⲛⲧⲟⲗⲏ (ⲧ)
In a Greek word, ⲧ after ⲛ is "d": "endoli".
2. Abbreviations
Some holy words come up so often that they are shortened to two or three letters, with a line above them.
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ⲓⲏ̅ⲥ̅ = Ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ | Jesus |
| Ⲡⲭ̅ⲥ̅ = Ⲡⲓⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ | Christ |
| Ⲡ̅ⲟ̅ⲥ̅ = Ⲡϭⲟⲓⲥ | the Lord |
| Ⲫ̅ϯ̅ = Ⲫ̀ⲛⲟⲩϯ | God |
| ⲉ̅ⲑ̅ⲩ̅ = ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ | holy |
| Ⲡ̅ⲛ̅ⲁ̅ = Ⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ | Spirit |
| Ⲥ̅ⲱ̅ⲣ̅ = Ⲥⲱⲧⲏⲣ | Saviour |
| ⲁ̅ⲗ̅ = ⲁⲗⲗⲏⲗⲟⲩⲓⲁ | Alleluia |
Activity
Abbreviations
Match each abbreviation with its meaning.
Choose an answer for every row first.
3. Coptic or Greek?
Many words in church are Greek. Knowing which is which helps you pronounce them, because some letters (ⲭ, ⲥ, ⲧ) sound different in Greek words. Five clues:
- Seven letters are only found in Coptic words: ϣ ϥ ϧ ϩ ϫ ϭ ϯ. Two exceptions: ϩ is sometimes written before a Greek word for the Greek “h” sound, as in ϩⲱⲇⲏ (praise); and ϯ can stand before a Greek word as the article “the”, as in ϯϩⲱⲇⲏ (the praise).
- Five letters are only found in Greek words: ⲅ ⲇ ⲍ ⲝ ⲯ. In a few rare cases they appear in Coptic words, like ⲁⲛⲍⲏⲃ (school) and ⲯⲓⲧ (nine).
- If ⲩ is said “ee”, the word is Greek, as in ⲩⲓⲟⲥ (son).
- Typical Greek endings: -ⲁⲛ -ⲟⲛ -ⲏⲛ -ⲱⲙⲉⲛ -ⲁⲥ -ⲟⲥ -ⲏⲥ -ⲥⲑⲉ, as in ⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ (prophet) and ⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ (world).
- Typical Greek beginnings: ⲡⲣⲟ- ⲁⲡⲟ- ⲟⲙⲟ- ⲡⲁⲣⲁ-, as in ⲡⲣⲟⲥⲉⲩⲭⲏ (prayer).
Words to learn:
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲁⲅⲁⲡⲏ | love |
| ϩⲱⲇⲏ | praise, ode |
| ⲉ̀ϩⲟⲟⲩ | day |
| ⲯⲓⲧ | nine |
| ⲁⲛⲍⲏⲃ | school |
| ⲗⲟⲅⲭⲏ | spear |
| ⲩⲓⲟⲥ | son |
| ⲡⲣⲟⲥⲉⲩⲭⲏ | prayer |
| ⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ | world |
| ⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ | prophet |
Activity
Coptic or Greek?
Is each word Coptic or Greek in origin?
ⲉ̀ϩⲟⲟⲩ
It has ϩ, a letter only found in Coptic words.
ⲇⲓⲁⲑⲏⲕⲏ
It has ⲇ, a letter only found in Greek words.
ϫⲓϫ
It has ϫ, one of the seven Coptic-only letters.
ⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ
It ends in -ⲟⲥ, a typical Greek ending.
ⲛⲟⲩϯ
It has ϯ, one of the seven Coptic-only letters.
ⲡⲣⲟⲥⲉⲩⲭⲏ
It begins with ⲡⲣⲟ-, a typical Greek beginning.
ⲯⲩⲭⲏ
It has ⲯ, a letter found almost only in Greek words.
ϩⲓⲱⲓϣ
It has ϩ and ϣ, both Coptic-only letters.
Words used in church
Every Coptic noun is either masculine or feminine. Learn each word together with its gender.
Masculine
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲥⲧⲁⲩⲣⲟⲥ | cross |
| ⲣⲟ | door |
| ⲉⲣⲫⲉⲓ | temple, sanctuary |
| ⲁ̀ⲫⲟⲧ | cup, chalice |
| ⲟⲩⲏⲃ | priest |
| ⲉ̀ⲡⲓⲥⲕⲟⲡⲟⲥ | bishop |
| ⲗⲁⲟⲥ | people |
| ϫⲱⲙ | book |
| ⲭⲟⲣⲟⲥ | choir |
| ⲃⲱϩⲉⲙ | hymn tune |
| ⲇⲓⲁⲕⲱⲛ | deacon |
| ⲥ̀ⲑⲟⲓⲛⲟⲩϥⲓ | incense |
| ⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ | Gospel |
Feminine
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ | church |
| ϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ | censer |
| ϩⲓⲕⲱⲛ | icon |
| ⲗⲩⲭⲛⲓⲁ | lampstand |
| ⲗⲁⲕⲁⲛⲏ | basin |
| ⲙⲟⲩⲕⲓ | ladder, stairs |
| ⲗⲓⲧⲟⲩⲣⲅⲓⲁ | liturgy |
| ⲯⲁⲗⲓ | psali (hymn) |
| ⲥⲕⲏⲛⲏ | dome, tent |
Activity
Words in church
Match each Coptic word with its meaning.
Choose an answer for every row first.
4. Articles: “the” and “a”
Strong articles (“the”)
| Masculine | Feminine | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| ⲡⲓ- | ϯ- | ⲛⲓ- |
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲡⲓ + ϫⲱⲙ = ⲡⲓϫⲱⲙ | the book (masculine) |
| ϯ + ϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ = ϯϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ | the censer (feminine) |
| ⲛⲓ + ϫⲱⲙ = ⲛⲓϫⲱⲙ | the books (plural) |
| ⲛⲓ + ϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ = ⲛⲓϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ | the censers (plural) |
Weak articles (“the”)
A weak article can be used instead of a strong one.
| Masculine | Feminine | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| ⲡ̀- | ⲧ̀- | ⲛⲉⲛ- |
The plural ⲛⲉⲛ- is only used for something that belongs to someone, like “the books of the church”.
Before a word starting with ⲃ, ⲓ, ⲗ, ⲙ, ⲛ, ⲟⲩ or ⲣ, ⲡ̀ becomes ⲫ̀ and ⲧ̀ becomes ⲑ̀. (ⲓ and ⲟⲩ only count when a vowel follows them.)
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲡ̀ + ϫⲱⲙ = ⲡ̀ϫⲱⲙ | the book (masculine) |
| ⲧ̀ + ϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ = ⲧ̀ϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ | the censer (feminine) |
| ⲛⲉⲛϫⲱⲙ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ | the books of the church (plural) |
| ⲫ̀ + ⲟⲩⲏⲃ = ⲫ̀ⲟⲩⲏⲃ | the priest |
| ⲑ̀ + ⲗⲩⲭⲛⲓⲁ = ⲑ̀ⲗⲩⲭⲛⲓⲁ | the lampstand |
Indefinite articles (“a”, “some”)
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| ⲟⲩ- | ϩⲁⲛ- |
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲟⲩ + ϫⲱⲙ = ⲟⲩϫⲱⲙ | a book |
| ⲟⲩ + ϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ = ⲟⲩϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ | a censer |
| ϩⲁⲛ + ϫⲱⲙ = ϩⲁⲛϫⲱⲙ | (some) books |
| ϩⲁⲛ + ϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ = ϩⲁⲛϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ | (some) censers |
Good to know
- In Coptic, leaving out “the” is not enough to say “a”. You must use ⲟⲩ: ⲡⲓϫⲱⲙ is “the book”, ⲟⲩϫⲱⲙ is “a book”.
- To make a word plural, swap the singular article for the plural one: ⲡⲓϫⲱⲙ → ⲛⲓϫⲱⲙ.
- Some words also change shape in the plural:
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲣⲟ → ⲣⲱⲟⲩ | door → doors |
| ⲫⲉ → ⲫⲏⲟⲩⲓ̀ | heaven → heavens |
| ⲟⲩⲣⲟ → ⲟⲩⲣⲱⲟⲩ | king → kings |
| ⲃⲱⲕ → ⲉ̀ⲃⲓⲁⲓⲕ | servant → servants |
| ⲓⲱⲧ → ⲓⲟϯ | father → fathers |
| ⲥⲟⲛ → ⲥ̀ⲛⲏⲟⲩ | brother → brothers |
- Gender doesn’t always match other languages: ϯⲗⲁⲕⲁⲛⲏ (the basin) and ϯⲙⲟⲩⲕⲓ (the ladder) are feminine.
- To say “and” between nouns, use ⲛⲉⲙ:
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲏⲃ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲇⲓⲁⲕⲱⲛ | the priest and the deacons |
| Ⲁⲃⲣⲁⲁⲙ ⲛⲉⲙ Ⲓⲥⲁⲁⲕ ⲛⲉⲙ Ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃ | Abraham, Isaac and Jacob |
Activity
Choose the article
Fill in the gap with the right article.
the book (strong article)
___ϫⲱⲙ
the books (strong article)
___ϫⲱⲙ
the church (strong article)
___ⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ
the censer (weak article)
___ϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ
the priest (weak article)
___ⲟⲩⲏⲃ
ⲡ̀ becomes ⲫ̀ before ⲟⲩ.
the lampstand (weak article)
___ⲗⲩⲭⲛⲓⲁ
ⲧ̀ becomes ⲑ̀ before ⲗ.
a book
___ϫⲱⲙ
books (some books)
___ϫⲱⲙ
Activity
Singular and plural
These words change shape in the plural. Match each word with its plural.
Choose an answer for every row first.
Words used in hymns
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲣⲁⲛ | name |
| ϣⲏⲣⲓ | son |
| ϩⲓⲱⲓϣ | preaching |
| ⲧⲁⲓⲟ | honour |
| ⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ | light |
| ⲣⲱⲙⲓ | man, person |
| ⲙⲏⲓ | truth |
| ⲛⲟⲩⲃ | gold |
| ⲥⲱⲙⲁ | body |
| ⲏⲓ | house |
| ⲛⲟⲩϯ | god |
| ϣⲉⲣⲓ | daughter (f.) |
| ϫⲟⲙ | power (f.) |
| ⲙⲁⲩ | mother (f.) |
| ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ | virgin (f.) |
| ⲇⲓⲁⲑⲏⲕⲏ | covenant (f.) |
| ⲯⲩⲭⲏ | soul (f.) |
| ⲥ̀ϩⲓⲙⲓ | woman, wife (f.) |
Adjectives
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲃⲉⲣⲓ | new |
| ⲁⲡⲁⲥ | old |
| ϣⲟⲣⲡ | first |
| ⲛⲓϣϯ | great, big |
| ⲕⲟⲩϫⲓ | small |
| ⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ | good |
| ⲥⲁⲃⲉ / ⲥⲁⲃⲏ | wise (m. / f.) |
Activity
Words in the hymns
Match each Coptic word with its meaning.
Choose an answer for every row first.
5. Linking words
“Of”
Coptic links two nouns with a linking word, a bit like saying “the door of the church”. There are two forms:
- separate: ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ
- attached: ⲛ̀-, which becomes ⲙ̀- before ⲃ, ⲙ, ⲡ, ⲫ and ⲯ
When the first noun has a strong article, use ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ. When it has a weak article, either form is fine.
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ⲫ̀ⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ | the door of the church |
| Ⲫ̀ⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ϯⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ | the door of the church |
| Ⲡ̀ϩⲓⲱⲓϣ ⲙ̀Ⲙⲱⲩⲥⲏⲥ | the preaching of Moses |
| Ⲧ̀ϣⲉⲣⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡ̀ⲟⲩⲣⲟ Ⲇⲁⲩⲓⲇ | the daughter of King David |
| Ⲛⲓϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ Ⲡⲓⲥⲣⲁⲏⲗ | the sons of Israel |
| Ⲫ̀ⲣⲁⲛ ⲙ̀Ⲡ̅ⲟ̅ⲥ̅ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓϫⲟⲙ | the name of the Lord of hosts |
| Ⲡ̅ⲟ̅ⲥ̅ ⲡ̀ⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲟⲩⲣⲱⲟⲩ | the Lord, the King of kings |
| Ⲑ̀ⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ | the mother of the light |
| Ⲡ̀ⲧⲁⲓⲟ ⲛ̀ϯⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ | the honour of the Virgin |
Linking an adjective
ⲛ̀- (or ⲙ̀-) also links a noun to its adjective. The noun usually comes first, with its article, and the adjective follows without one:
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ | the true light |
| Ϯⲗⲩⲭⲛⲓⲁ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩⲃ | the golden lampstand |
| Ϯⲇⲓⲁⲑⲏⲕⲏ ⲙ̀ⲃⲉⲣⲓ | the new covenant |
| Ⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲛ̀ⲁⲡⲁⲥ | the old man |
| Ⲡⲓϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲙⲓ | the first man |
| Ⲡⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ | the great prophet |
A few adjectives, like ⲛⲓϣϯ (great), ⲕⲟⲩϫⲓ (small) and ϣⲟⲣⲡ (first), come before the noun, as in Ⲡⲓϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲙⲓ (the first man).
How to tell them apart: with “of”, both nouns have an article. With an adjective, the second word has none:
- ϯⲁⲥⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲣⲉⲙⲛ̀ⲭⲏⲙⲓ: the language of the Egyptians
- ϯⲁⲥⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ⲣⲉⲙⲛ̀ⲭⲏⲙⲓ: the Egyptian (Coptic) language
Activity
Linking words
Fill in the gap with the right linking word.
the sons of the light
Ⲛⲓϣⲏⲣⲓ ___ ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ
After a strong article (ⲛⲓ) we use ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ.
the daughter of King David
Ⲧ̀ϣⲉⲣⲓ ___ⲡ̀ⲟⲩⲣⲟ Ⲇⲁⲩⲓⲇ
ⲛ̀ becomes ⲙ̀ before ⲡ.
the golden lampstand
Ϯⲗⲩⲭⲛⲓⲁ ___ⲛⲟⲩⲃ
the true light
Ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ___ⲙⲏⲓ
ⲛ̀ becomes ⲙ̀ before ⲙ.
the priest and the deacons
Ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲏⲃ ___ ⲛⲓⲇⲓⲁⲕⲱⲛ
6. Possessives: my, your, his…
Coptic puts the owner in front of the noun, joined to the article.
| Owner | Masculine noun | Feminine noun | Plural noun |
|---|---|---|---|
| my | ⲡⲁ- | ⲧⲁ- | ⲛⲁ- |
| your (to a man) | ⲡⲉⲕ- | ⲧⲉⲕ- | ⲛⲉⲕ- |
| your (to a woman) | ⲡⲉ- | ⲧⲉ- | ⲛⲉ- |
| his | ⲡⲉϥ- | ⲧⲉϥ- | ⲛⲉϥ- |
| her | ⲡⲉⲥ- | ⲧⲉⲥ- | ⲛⲉⲥ- |
| our | ⲡⲉⲛ- | ⲧⲉⲛ- | ⲛⲉⲛ- |
| your (plural) | ⲡⲉⲧⲉⲛ- | ⲧⲉⲧⲉⲛ- | ⲛⲉⲧⲉⲛ- |
| their | ⲡⲟⲩ- | ⲧⲟⲩ- | ⲛⲟⲩ- |
The first letter (ⲡ, ⲧ or ⲛ) agrees with the thing that is owned. The rest agrees with the owner. For example, ⲡⲉϥⲏⲓ (his house) is:
- ⲡ: masculine, because ⲏⲓ (house) is masculine
- ⲉ: a linking vowel
- ϥ: “he”, the owner
- ⲏⲓ: house
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ⲛⲁϭⲟⲓⲥ ⲛ̀ⲓⲟϯ | my lords the fathers |
| Ⲥⲁⲣⲣⲁ ⲧⲉϥⲥⲱⲛⲓ | Sarah his sister |
| Ⲑ̀ⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲥⲱⲧⲏⲣ | the mother of our Saviour |
| Ⲕⲟⲥⲙⲁ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉϥⲥ̀ⲛⲏⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲟⲩⲙⲁⲩ | Cosmas, his brothers and their mother |
| Ⲛⲉⲛⲯⲩⲭⲏ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉⲛⲥⲱⲙⲁ | our souls and our bodies |
| Ⲡ̀ⲏⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ | the house of our God |
| Ⲧⲉⲕⲥ̀ϩⲓⲙⲓ Ⲉⲗⲓⲥⲁⲃⲉⲧ | your wife Elizabeth |
| Ⲡⲁⲥⲱⲧⲏⲣ ⲛ̀ⲁ̀ⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ | my good Saviour |
Activity
My, your, his…
Choose the right possessive.
my book
___ϫⲱⲙ
his house
___ⲏⲓ
our church
___ⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ
ⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ is feminine, so it takes ⲧ-.
my brothers
___ⲥ̀ⲛⲏⲟⲩ
their mother
___ⲙⲁⲩ
your name (to a man)
___ⲣⲁⲛ
your name (to a woman)
___ⲣⲁⲛ
7. Pronouns and “is”
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲁⲛⲟⲕ | I |
| ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ | you (a man) |
| ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ | you (a woman) |
| ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ | he |
| ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲥ | she |
| ⲁⲛⲟⲛ | we |
| ⲛ̀ⲑⲱⲧⲉⲛ | you (plural) |
| ⲛ̀ⲑⲱⲟⲩ | they |
To say “X is Y”, Coptic uses a small linking word:
| Masculine | Feminine | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| ⲡⲉ | ⲧⲉ | ⲛⲉ |
It means “is” or “are”, but is often left untranslated.
- If the second part has “the” (or is a name), the linking word comes before it: Ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ Ⲫ̅ϯ̅ (You are God).
- If the second part has “a”, the linking word comes after it: Ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲟⲩⲥⲁⲃⲉ ⲡⲉ (He is wise).
- To say “not”, put ⲁⲛ before the linking word.
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲧⲉ ϯϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ | You are the censer. |
| Ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ Ⲫ̅ϯ̅ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ | You are the true God. |
| Ⲫ̀ⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲟⲩⲁⲅⲁⲡⲏ ⲡⲉ | God is love. (1 John 4:8) |
| Ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲟⲩⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁⲃⲉ ⲡⲉ | He is a wise man. |
| Ⲫⲁⲓ ⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲓⲱⲧ | This is not your father. |
| Ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲉⲧⲙⲉⲑⲣⲉ ⲟⲩⲙⲏⲓ ⲁⲛ ⲧⲉ | Your testimony is not true. |
Activity
Simple sentences
Fill in the gap to complete each sentence.
You are the Lord.
Ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ ___ Ⲡ̅ⲟ̅ⲥ̅
You are the golden lampstand.
Ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ___ Ϯⲗⲩⲭⲛⲓⲁ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩⲃ
We are peoples.
Ⲁⲛⲟⲛ ϩⲁⲛⲗⲁⲟⲥ ___
He is David.
___ ⲡⲉ Ⲇⲁⲩⲓⲇ
Mary is our mother.
Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁⲙ ⲧⲉ ___ⲙⲁⲩ
This is not your father.
Ⲫⲁⲓ ___ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲓⲱⲧ
Everyday phrases
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ⲛⲁⲛⲉ ⲧⲟⲟⲩⲓ̀ | Good morning |
| Ⲛⲁⲛⲉ ⲣⲟⲩϩⲓ | Good evening |
| Ⲛⲓⲙ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ? | What is your name? (to a man) |
| Ⲛⲓⲙ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲣⲁⲛ? | What is your name? (to a woman) |
| Ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ Ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲟⲥ | My name is Peter |
| Ⲁϣ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲏϯ? | How are you? (to a man) |
| Ⲁϣ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲣⲏϯ? | How are you? (to a woman) |
| Ϯⲟⲩⲟϫ | I am well |
| Ϯϧⲟⲥⲓ | I am tired |
| Ⲛⲓⲙ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲥⲟⲛ? | Who is your big brother? |
| Ⲡⲁⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲥⲟⲛ ⲡⲉ Ⲓⲱⲥⲏⲫ | My big brother is Joseph |
| Ⲥⲁⲣⲣⲁ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲁⲕⲟⲩϫⲓ ⲛ̀ⲥⲱⲛⲓ | Sarah is my little sister |
Activity
Everyday phrases
Match each phrase with its meaning.
Choose an answer for every row first.
Texts to learn by heart
The sign of the cross
Ϧⲉⲛ ⲫ̀ⲣⲁⲛ ⲙ̀Ⲫⲓⲱⲧ ⲛⲉⲙ Ⲡ̀ϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ Ⲡⲓⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲟⲩⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲧ ⲁⲙⲏⲛ.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Ⲡⲉⲛⲓⲱⲧ ⲉⲧϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲫⲏⲟⲩⲓ̀
ⲙⲁⲣⲉϥⲧⲟⲩⲃⲟ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ
ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲥⲓ̀ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲣⲟ
ⲡⲉⲧⲉϩⲛⲁⲕ ⲙⲁⲣⲉϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲙ̀ⲫ̀ⲣⲏϯ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧ̀ⲫⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲕⲁϩⲓ
ⲡⲉⲛⲱⲓⲕ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲣⲁⲥϯ ⲙⲏⲓϥ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲙ̀ⲫⲟⲟⲩ
ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲭⲁ ⲛⲏⲉⲧⲉⲣⲟⲛ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲏϯ ϩⲱⲛ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲛⲭⲱ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̀ⲛⲏⲉⲧⲉ ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲛ ⲉⲣⲱⲟⲩ
ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣⲉⲛⲧⲉⲛ ⲉ̀ϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲉ̀ⲡⲓⲣⲁⲥⲙⲟⲥ
ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲛⲁϩⲙⲉⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲁ ⲡⲓⲡⲉⲧϩⲱⲟⲩ
ϧⲉⲛ Ⲡⲓⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ Ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ ⲡⲉⲛϭⲟⲓⲥ
ϫⲉ ⲑⲱⲕ ⲧⲉ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛⲉⲙ ϯϫⲟⲙ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ ⲁⲙⲏⲛ.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, in Christ Jesus our Lord. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Psalm 24:9–10 (Feast of the Ascension)
Ϥⲁⲓ ⲛ̀ⲛⲉⲧⲉⲛⲡⲩⲗⲏ ⲉ̀ⲡ̀ϣⲱⲓ ⲛⲓⲁⲣⲭⲱⲛ
ϭⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲱⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲡⲩⲗⲏ ⲛ̀ⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ
ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲉϥⲉ̀ⲓ̀ ⲉ̀ϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡ̀ⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡ̀ⲱⲟⲩ.
Ⲛⲓⲙ ϩⲱϥ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲓⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡ̀ⲱⲟⲩ?
Ⲡ̅ⲟ̅ⲥ̅ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓϫⲟⲙ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ⲡ̀ⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡ̀ⲱⲟⲩ.
Ⲁⲗⲗⲏⲗⲟⲩⲓⲁ.
Lift up your gates, O rulers; be lifted up, everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Alleluia.
Activity
Texts by heart
Fill in the missing word.
Ϧⲉⲛ ⲫ̀ⲣⲁⲛ ⲙ̀Ⲫⲓⲱⲧ ⲛⲉⲙ Ⲡ̀___ ⲛⲉⲙ Ⲡⲓⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ
Ⲡⲉⲛⲓⲱⲧ ⲉⲧϧⲉⲛ ___
ⲙⲁⲣⲉϥⲧⲟⲩⲃⲟ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲕ___
ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲥⲓ̀ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲧⲉⲕ___
ϧⲉⲛ ⲧ̀ⲫⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ___
ϫⲉ ⲑⲱⲕ ⲧⲉ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛⲉⲙ ϯϫⲟⲙ ⲛⲉⲙ ___
Good to know
- You don’t need to learn the Bible references given with the examples.
- You don’t need to learn the meanings of the example words used to practise the letters.