This lesson follows Level 3 of the 2026 Coptic curriculum from the Coptic Family (Bishopric of Youth). You should know Levels 1 and 2 first. Read each part, then try the activity after it.
By the end of Level 3 you will:
- know new details of sentences with and without a verb: verb forms, the passive and compound nouns
- be able to apply them to prayers from the Liturgy and the Midnight Praise
1. The third present: “while…”, “sitting”
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲣⲱⲙⲓ | man |
| ⲛⲁⲩ | see |
| ⲥⲁϫⲓ | speak |
| ϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ | sit |
| ⲁⲗⲟⲩ | child |
| ⲓ̀ | come |
| ⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ | angel |
| ⲃⲁⲥⲁⲛⲟⲥ | torment |
| ϥⲁⲓ | carry |
| ⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧ | sleep |
The third present describes a state, often while something else happens. Its marker is ⲉⲣⲉ before a noun, or ⲉ- joined to a pronoun:
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| I | ⲉⲓ- |
| you (to a man) | ⲉⲕ- |
| you (to a woman) | ⲉⲣⲉ- |
| he | ⲉϥ- |
| she | ⲉⲥ- |
| we | ⲉⲛ- |
| you (plural) | ⲉⲣⲉⲧⲉⲛ- |
| they | ⲉⲩ- |
To say “not”, put ⲁⲛ after the verb. It is used:
- for the state of the subject or the object while another action happens, in any tense
- for “while”, in a clause that describes what is going on
- to make an adjective from a verb, when the noun is indefinite: Ⲟⲩⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲉϥϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ (a sitting man). With a definite noun, use ⲉⲧ instead: Ⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲉⲧϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ (the sitting man).
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ⲉⲣⲉ Ⲙⲏⲛⲁ ϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ | while Mina is sitting |
| Ⲉⲣⲉ Ⲙⲏⲛⲁ ϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ ⲁⲛ | while Mina is not sitting |
| Ⲁⲩⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲉⲩϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ | They spoke sitting. (state of the subject) |
| Ⲁⲓⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲣⲱⲟⲩ ⲉⲩϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ | I saw them sitting. (state of the object) |
| Ⲉⲩϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ ⲁⲩⲥⲁϫⲓ | While they were sitting, they spoke. |
| Ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲓ̀ ⲉⲩϥⲁⲓ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩⲃⲁⲥⲁⲛⲟⲥ | They will come carrying their torments. |
| Ⲁⲥⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲉϥϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ | She saw the angel sitting. |
Compare the three cases:
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲉⲧϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ | the sitting angel (definite noun + ⲉⲧ) |
| Ⲟⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲉϥϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ | a sitting angel (indefinite noun + third present) |
| Ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲉϥϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ | the angel, sitting (definite noun + third present: a state) |
Activity
The third present
What does each sentence mean?
Ⲁⲩⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲉⲩϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ
Ⲟⲩⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲉϥϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ
Ⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲉⲧϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ
Ⲉⲩϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ ⲁⲩⲥⲁϫⲓ
Ⲁⲥⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲉϥϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ
Activity
Sitting, sleeping, carrying
Fill in the gap.
a sleeping child
Ⲟⲩⲁⲗⲟⲩ ___ⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧ
the sleeping child
Ⲡⲓⲁⲗⲟⲩ ___ⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧ
I saw them sitting.
Ⲁⲓⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲣⲱⲟⲩ ___ϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ
while Mina is sitting
___ Ⲙⲏⲛⲁ ϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ
Mina is not sitting.
Ⲉⲣⲉ Ⲙⲏⲛⲁ ϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ ___
2. The four forms of a verb
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲥ̀ϩⲓⲙⲓ | woman |
| ϣ̀ⲗⲏⲗ | pray |
| ⲛⲏⲟⲩ | coming |
| ⲱⲟⲩ | glory |
| ϫⲱⲙ | book |
| ⲣⲓⲙⲓ | weep |
| ⲡ̀ⲧⲏⲣϥ | everything, the universe |
| ϧⲉⲛ | in |
| ⲙⲟϣⲓ | walk |
| ϣⲏⲣⲓ | son |
Many Coptic verbs have four forms:
- Absolute (full): the object follows with a linking word: Ⲁ Ⲛⲓⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲓ ⲓϣⲓ ⲙ̀Ⲡⲭ̅ⲥ̅.
- Construct (shortened): the noun object follows straight away, with no linking word: Ⲁ Ⲛⲓⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲓ ⲉϣ Ⲡⲭ̅ⲥ̅.
- Pronominal: the object pronoun is joined to the end of the verb: Ⲁ Ⲛⲓⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲓ ⲁϣϥ.
- Qualitative: a state that results from the action, like “crucified” or “blessed”. It works like an adjective: Ⲟⲩⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲉϥⲁϣⲓ (a crucified man). For a verb that takes no object, it means the one doing it: Ⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲉⲑⲛⲏⲟⲩ (the man who is coming).
The qualitative is only used with the first, second and third present and the imperfect.
The table gives absolute · construct · pronominal · qualitative:
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲓ̀ⲣⲓ · ⲉⲣ- · ⲁⲓ= · ⲟⲓ | make, do |
| ⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ · ⲑⲁⲙⲓⲉ- · ⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ= · ⲑⲁⲙⲓⲏⲟⲩⲧ | create |
| ⲓϣⲓ · ⲉϣ- · ⲁϣ= · ⲁϣⲓ | crucify |
| ⲧⲟⲩⲃⲟ · ⲧⲟⲩⲃⲉ- · ⲧⲟⲩⲃⲟ= · ⲧⲟⲩⲃⲏⲟⲩⲧ | purify |
| ⲙⲓⲥⲓ · ⲙⲉⲥ- · ⲙⲁⲥ= | give birth |
| ϫⲓⲙⲓ · ϫⲉⲙ- · ϫⲉⲙ= | find |
| ϫⲱ · ϫⲉ- · ϫⲟ= | say |
| ⲟⲩⲱⲙ · ⲟⲩⲉⲙ- · ⲟⲩⲟⲙ= | eat |
| ⲙⲉⲓ · ⲙⲉⲛⲣⲉ- · ⲙⲉⲛⲣⲓⲧ= | love |
| ϣⲱⲡⲓ · ϣⲟⲡ | be, become · (qualitative) being |
| ⲥ̀ⲙⲟⲩ · ⲥ̀ⲙⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩⲧ | bless · (qualitative) blessed |
| ⲟⲩⲁⲃ | (qualitative) holy |
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ⲁ Ⲛⲓⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲓ ⲓϣⲓ ⲙ̀Ⲡⲭ̅ⲥ̅ | The Jews crucified Christ. (absolute form + ⲛ̀) |
| Ⲁ Ⲛⲓⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲓ ⲓϣⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ | The Jews crucified him. (absolute form + ⲙ̀ⲙⲟ=) |
| Ⲁ Ⲛⲓⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲓ ⲉϣ Ⲡⲭ̅ⲥ̅ | The Jews crucified Christ. (construct form) |
| Ⲁ Ⲛⲓⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲓ ⲁϣϥ | The Jews crucified him. (pronominal form) |
| Ⲟⲩⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲉϥⲁϣⲓ | a crucified man (qualitative) |
| Ⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲉⲧⲁϣⲓ | the crucified man (qualitative) |
| Ⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲉⲑⲛⲏⲟⲩ | the coming man (qualitative of an intransitive verb) |
| Ⲉϥⲙⲉϩ ⲛ̀ⲱⲟⲩ / Ⲉϥⲙⲟϩ ⲙ̀ⲡ̀ⲧⲏⲣϥ | full of glory / filling everything |
| Ⲕ̀ⲥ̀ⲙⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩⲧ | You are blessed. (Third Hoos) |
Activity
Which form of the verb?
Which form of the verb is used in each sentence?
Ⲁ Ⲛⲓⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲓ ⲓϣⲓ ⲙ̀Ⲡⲭ̅ⲥ̅
Ⲁ Ⲛⲓⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲓ ⲉϣ Ⲡⲭ̅ⲥ̅
Ⲁ Ⲛⲓⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲓ ⲁϣϥ
Ⲟⲩⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲉϥⲁϣⲓ
Ⲁ Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲙⲁⲥϥ
Ⲕ̀ⲥ̀ⲙⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩⲧ
Activity
Use the right form
Fill in the gap with the right form of the verb.
Mary bore Jesus.
Ⲁ Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ___ ⲛ̀Ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ
Mary bore Jesus. (no linking word)
Ⲁ Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ___ Ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ
Mary bore Him.
Ⲁ Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ___ϥ
God created the earth.
Ⲁ Ⲫ̀ⲛⲟⲩϯ ___ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲕⲁϩⲓ
God created the earth. (no linking word)
Ⲁ Ⲫ̀ⲛⲟⲩϯ ___ ⲡⲓⲕⲁϩⲓ
3. Compound nouns
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ | world |
| ⲱⲓⲕ | bread |
| ϩⲏⲧ | heart |
| ⲉⲣⲛⲟⲃⲓ | sin (verb) |
| ⲛⲟⲃⲓ | sin (noun) |
| ⲥⲱⲛⲧ | create |
| ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ | on |
| ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ | through, by |
| Ⲣⲁⲕⲟϯ | Alexandria |
| ⲫⲱⲧ | flee, take refuge |
| ⲉⲣⲫ̀ⲙⲉⲩⲓ | remember |
| ⲃⲉⲭⲉ | wage |
| ⲕⲁⲡ | rope |
| ⲧⲁⲕⲟ | corrupt, destroy |
| Ⲭⲏⲙⲓ | Egypt |
Compound nouns are made by putting a short prefix before a verb or a noun:
- Before verbs: ⲣⲉϥ- (the one who does it), ϫⲓⲛ- (the act of doing it), ϣⲟⲩ- + pronominal form (worthy of).
- Before nouns: ⲥⲁⲛ̀- (craftsman), ⲙⲉⲧ- (abstract noun, always feminine), ⲣⲉⲙⲛ̀- (belonging to, from).
- Before both: ⲙⲁⲛ̀- (the place of), ⲁⲧ- (without, un-).
ⲛ̀ becomes ⲙ̀ before ⲃ ⲙ ⲡ ⲫ ⲯ, and ⲧ becomes ⲑ before ⲃ ⲓ ⲗ ⲙ ⲛ ⲟⲩ ⲣ: ⲙⲁⲙ̀ⲫⲱⲧ (refuge), ⲁⲑⲛⲟⲃⲓ (sinless). A noun can take more than one prefix.
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲣⲉϥ- + ⲥⲱⲛⲧ = ⲣⲉϥⲥⲱⲛⲧ | creator (the one who does) |
| ⲣⲉϥ- + ⲉⲣⲛⲟⲃⲓ = ⲣⲉϥⲉⲣⲛⲟⲃⲓ | sinner |
| ϫⲓⲛ- + ⲙⲓⲥⲓ = ϫⲓⲛⲙⲓⲥⲓ | birth (the act) |
| ϫⲓⲛ- + ⲥⲓⲛⲓ = ϫⲓⲛⲥⲓⲛⲓ | passing, crossing |
| ϣⲟⲩ- + ⲙⲉⲛⲣⲓⲧ= = ϣⲟⲩⲙⲉⲛⲣⲓⲧϥ | beloved (worthy of love) |
| ⲥⲁⲛ̀- + ⲱⲓⲕ = ⲥⲁⲛ̀ⲱⲓⲕ | baker (craftsman) |
| ⲥⲁⲛ̀- + ⲕⲁⲡ = ⲥⲁⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲡ | rope-maker |
| ⲙⲉⲧ- + ⲟⲩⲣⲟ = ⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲣⲟ | kingdom (abstract noun) |
| ⲙⲉⲑ- + ⲛⲟⲩϯ = ⲙⲉⲑⲛⲟⲩϯ | divinity |
| ⲣⲉⲙⲛ̀- + Ⲭⲏⲙⲓ = ⲣⲉⲙⲛ̀ⲭⲏⲙⲓ | Egyptian (person from) |
| ⲣⲉⲙⲛ̀- + ⲏⲓ = ⲣⲉⲙⲛ̀ⲏⲓ | household |
| ⲣⲉⲙ- + Ⲣⲁⲕⲟϯ = ⲣⲉⲙⲣⲁⲕⲟϯ | Alexandrian |
| ⲙⲁⲛ̀- + ⲟⲩⲱⲙ = ⲙⲁⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲙ | eating place (place) |
| ⲙⲁⲛ̀- + ⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ = ⲙⲁⲛ̀ⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ | lectern |
| ⲙⲁⲙ̀- + ⲫⲱⲧ = ⲙⲁⲙ̀ⲫⲱⲧ | refuge |
| ⲁⲑ- + ⲛⲟⲃⲓ = ⲁⲑⲛⲟⲃⲓ | sinless (without) |
| ⲁⲧ- + ⲧⲁⲕⲟ = ⲁⲧⲧⲁⲕⲟ | incorruptible |
| ⲙⲉⲧⲁⲧⲧⲁⲕⲟ | incorruption (two prefixes) |
| ⲙⲉⲧⲣⲉϥⲉ̀ⲣⲫ̀ⲙⲉⲩⲓ | remembrance |
Activity
Compound nouns
Match each compound noun with its meaning.
Choose an answer for every row first.
Activity
Build the word
Fill in the gap with the right prefix.
sinner
___ⲉⲣⲛⲟⲃⲓ
divinity
___ⲛⲟⲩϯ
incorruptible
___ⲧⲁⲕⲟ
an Alexandrian
___ⲣⲁⲕⲟϯ
lectern (the place of the Gospel)
___ⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ
rope-maker
___ⲕⲁⲡ
4. Uses of ϫⲉ
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲙⲟⲩϯ | call |
| ϭⲟⲓⲥ | lord, master |
| ϫⲱ (ϫⲟ=) | say |
| ⲡⲉϫⲉ (ⲡⲉϫⲁ=) | said |
| ⲥⲱϯ | save |
| ⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ | worship |
| ⲥⲱⲟⲩⲛ | know |
| ⲥⲁϫⲓ | word, speech |
| ⲓ̀ ⲉ̀ⲡ̀ϣⲱⲓ | go up |
| ⲁ̀ⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ | good |
- After verbs of saying (ⲡⲉϫⲉ, ϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ), ϫⲉ opens what is said, like a colon.
- After verbs of calling or naming, it introduces the name.
- It can mean “that” or “because”.
- At the end of a sentence, usually a negative one, it can mean “again”.
The verb ϫⲱ (say) always needs an object. If there is none, ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ (or -ⲥ on the pronominal form) takes its place and is not translated.
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ⲉⲩϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ Ⲭ̀ⲟⲩⲁⲃ | saying: Holy (after verbs of saying) |
| Ⲡⲉϫⲁⲥ ϫⲉ ⲁⲓⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀Ⲡ̅ⲟ̅ⲥ̅ | She said: I have seen the Lord. |
| Ⲁϥⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉ̀ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ ϫⲉ Ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ | He called His name Jesus. (Matt 1:25) |
| Ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ ϫⲉ ⲁⲕⲥⲱϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ | We worship You, because You saved us. |
| Ϯⲥⲱⲟⲩⲛ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ ⲟⲩⲁ̀ⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ | I know that you are good. |
| Ⲙ̀ⲡⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲉ̀ⲡ̀ϣⲱⲓ ϫⲉ | He will not come up again. (Job 7:9) |
| Ⲡⲓⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲉⲧⲁⲓϫⲟϥ | the word that I said |
| Ⲁϥϫⲟⲥ ⲛⲏⲓ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁϣⲏⲣⲓ | He said to me: You are my son. |
Activity
Uses of ϫⲉ
What does ϫⲉ do in each sentence?
Ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ ϫⲉ ⲁⲕⲥⲱϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ
Ⲁϥⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉ̀ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ ϫⲉ Ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ
Ϯⲥⲱⲟⲩⲛ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ ⲟⲩⲁ̀ⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ
Ⲙ̀ⲡⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲉ̀ⲡ̀ϣⲱⲓ ϫⲉ
Ⲉⲩϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ Ⲭ̀ⲟⲩⲁⲃ
5. The simple infinitive: ⲉ̀
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ϯⲱⲙⲥ | baptise |
| ⲟⲩⲱϣ | want |
| ⲙⲱⲟⲩ | water |
| ⲉⲣϩⲏⲧⲥ | begin |
| ⲉⲣϣⲟⲣⲡ | do first, do beforehand |
| ⲧⲁⲙⲟ (ⲧⲁⲙⲟ=) | tell, inform |
| ϯⲥ̀ⲃⲱ | teach |
| ⲉⲑⲃⲏⲧⲕ | for your sake |
| ⲧⲏⲣϥ | all, whole |
| ϧⲱⲧⲉⲃ | kill |
ⲉ̀ joined to a verb means “to” or “in order to”. It never changes for the subject. After ⲉⲣϩⲏⲧⲥ (begin) and ⲉⲣϣⲟⲣⲡ (do first), ⲛ̀ (ⲙ̀) is usually used instead. To say “not to”, use ⲉ̀ϣ̀ⲧⲉⲙ.
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ϯⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲉ̀ϣ̀ⲗⲏⲗ | I want to pray. |
| Ⲁⲓⲓ̀ ⲉ̀ϯⲱⲙⲥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲱⲟⲩ | I came to baptise with water. (John 1:31) |
| Ⲁϥⲉ̀ⲣϩⲏⲧⲥ ⲛ̀ϯⲥ̀ⲃⲱ | He began to teach. (Mark 4:1) |
| Ⲁⲓⲉ̀ⲣϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲛ̀ϫⲟⲥ ⲛⲱⲧⲉⲛ | I have told you beforehand. (Matt 24:25) |
| Ⲁ Ⲫ̀ⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲧⲁⲙⲟⲓ ⲉ̀ϣ̀ⲧⲉⲙϫⲟⲥ | God told me not to say. |
Activity
To do something
Fill in the gap.
I want to pray.
Ϯⲟⲩⲱϣ ___ϣ̀ⲗⲏⲗ
I came to baptise.
Ⲁⲓⲓ̀ ___ϯⲱⲙⲥ
He began to teach.
Ⲁϥⲉ̀ⲣϩⲏⲧⲥ ___ϯⲥ̀ⲃⲱ
After ⲉⲣϩⲏⲧⲥ (begin) and ⲉⲣϣⲟⲣⲡ (do first), ⲛ̀ is used.
God told me not to say.
Ⲁ Ⲫ̀ⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲧⲁⲙⲟⲓ ___ϫⲟⲥ
6. The passive
Coptic has no special passive form. Instead, the verb is used with “they” and no named subject: “they crucified him” means “he was crucified”. The real doer can be added with ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ (by).
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ⲁⲩⲙⲁⲥⲕ ⲁⲕⲥⲱϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ | You were born and saved us. |
| Ⲫⲏⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲩⲙⲁⲥϥ ϧⲉⲛ Ⲃⲏⲑⲗⲉⲉⲙ | He who was born in Bethlehem |
| Ⲉⲩϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ ⲉ̀ⲡ̀ⲭⲱ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲛⲟⲃⲓ | given for the forgiveness of sins |
| Ⲉⲑⲃⲏⲧⲕ ⲥⲉϧⲱⲧⲉⲃ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲉ̀ϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲧⲏⲣϥ | For your sake we are killed all day long. (Rom 8:36) |
| Ⲁⲩⲟⲩⲱⲙ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲱⲓⲕ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ | The bread was eaten by Maria. |
Activity
The passive
What does each sentence mean?
Ⲁⲩⲟⲩⲱⲙ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲱⲓⲕ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ
Ⲫⲏⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲩⲙⲁⲥϥ ϧⲉⲛ Ⲃⲏⲑⲗⲉⲉⲙ
Ⲥⲉϧⲱⲧⲉⲃ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ
7. Possessive pronouns
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ⲕⲟⲩϫⲓ | small, little |
| ϩⲟⲩⲟ | abundance, much |
| ⲕⲟⲓⲛⲱⲛⲓⲁ | communion, community |
| ϫⲟⲙ | power |
| ⲕⲁϩⲓ | earth |
| ⲫⲉ / ⲫⲏⲟⲩⲓ̀ | heaven / heavens |
| ⲙⲁⲑⲏⲧⲏⲥ | disciple |
| ⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ | salvation |
The short form ⲫⲁ- (masculine), ⲑⲁ- (feminine), ⲛⲁ- (plural) goes with a noun:
- before what is owned, it means “the one with”, “the one of”
- before the owner, with ⲡⲉ, ⲧⲉ or ⲛⲉ, it means “belongs to”
- it also shows belonging, as in “the heavenly ones”
The pronoun form is joined to the owner:
| Owner | masculine | feminine | plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| mine | ⲫⲱⲓ | ⲑⲱⲓ | ⲛⲟⲩⲓ |
| yours (to a man) | ⲫⲱⲕ | ⲑⲱⲕ | ⲛⲟⲩⲕ |
| yours (to a woman) | ⲫⲱ | ⲑⲱ | ⲛⲟⲩ |
| his | ⲫⲱϥ | ⲑⲱϥ | ⲛⲟⲩϥ |
| hers | ⲫⲱⲥ | ⲑⲱⲥ | ⲛⲟⲩⲥ |
| ours | ⲫⲱⲛ | ⲑⲱⲛ | ⲛⲟⲩⲛ |
| yours (plural) | ⲫⲱⲧⲉⲛ | ⲑⲱⲧⲉⲛ | ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉⲛ |
| theirs | ⲫⲱⲟⲩ | ⲑⲱⲟⲩ | ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲩ |
They often come after ⲫⲏⲉⲧⲉ, ⲑⲏⲉⲧⲉ and ⲛⲏⲉⲧⲉ, with ⲛ̀- before the owned noun.
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ⲁⲃⲃⲁ Ⲡⲁϧⲱⲙ ⲫⲁ ϯⲕⲟⲓⲛⲱⲛⲓⲁ | Abba Pachomius, the father of the community ("the one of") |
| Ⲛⲁ ⲡⲓϩⲟⲩⲟ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲁ ⲡⲓⲕⲟⲩϫⲓ | those of much and those of little |
| Ⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ ⲫⲁ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲡⲉ | Glory belongs to our God. (Fourth Hoos) |
| Ⲧ̀ⲫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧ̀ⲫⲉ ⲑⲁ Ⲡ̅ⲟ̅ⲥ̅ ⲧⲉ | The heaven of heaven is the Lord's. (Ps 113) |
| Ⲛⲁ ⲧ̀ⲫⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲁ ⲡ̀ⲕⲁϩⲓ | the heavenly ones and the earthly ones (Ascension doxology) |
| Ⲑⲱⲕ ⲧⲉ ϯϫⲟⲙ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ | Thine is the power and the glory. (Holy Week) |
| Ⲫⲏⲉ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫⲱⲛ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ | that salvation which is ours (Thursday Theotokia) |
| Ⲛⲏⲉ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲟⲩϥ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲑⲏⲧⲏⲥ | His own disciples (Liturgy of St Basil) |
Activity
Mine, yours, His
Fill in the gap.
Thine is the power and the glory.
___ⲕ ⲧⲉ ϯϫⲟⲙ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ
ϫⲟⲙ (power) is feminine, so ⲑⲱ=.
Glory belongs to our God.
Ⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ ___ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲡⲉ
His own disciples
Ⲛⲏⲉ̀ⲧⲉ ___ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲑⲏⲧⲏⲥ
Abba Pachomius of the community
Ⲁⲃⲃⲁ Ⲡⲁϧⲱⲙ ___ ϯⲕⲟⲓⲛⲱⲛⲓⲁ
8. The third future
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ϣⲱⲡⲓ | be, become |
| ⲥ̀ⲙⲟⲩ | praise, blessing |
| ⲣⲱⲧ | grow |
| ⲙⲏⲛ | continue, endure |
| ⲟⲩⲛⲟϥ | rejoice |
The third future describes a state in the future. It is the third present with ⲛⲁ:
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| I | ⲉⲓⲛⲁ |
| you (to a man) | ⲉⲭⲛⲁ |
| you (to a woman) | ⲉⲣⲉⲛⲁ |
| he | ⲉϥⲛⲁ |
| she | ⲉⲥⲛⲁ |
| we | ⲉⲛⲛⲁ |
| you (plural) | ⲉⲣⲉⲧⲉⲛⲛⲁ |
| they | ⲉⲩⲛⲁ |
Before a noun: ⲉⲣⲉ (noun) ⲛⲁ.
| Coptic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ⲉϥⲉ̀ⲟⲩⲛⲟϥ ⲉϥⲛⲁⲣⲱⲧ | He will rejoice, growing. |
| Ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲉϥⲥ̀ⲙⲟⲩ ⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲉϥⲙⲏⲛ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲣⲱⲛ | His praise shall be continually in our mouths. (end of the Theotokias) |
Activity
The third future
Fill in the gap.
He will rejoice, growing.
Ⲉϥⲉ̀ⲟⲩⲛⲟϥ ___ⲛⲁⲣⲱⲧ
His praise shall be…
Ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲉϥⲥ̀ⲙⲟⲩ ___ϣⲱⲡⲓ
I will be praying.
___ⲛⲁϣ̀ⲗⲏⲗ
Activity
Words to learn
Match each Coptic word with its meaning.
Choose an answer for every row first.
Text to study: the Resurrection hymn
This is the start of the hymn sung during Communion at Easter. The full text is in the handout. Look for the grammar of this level, for example ⲛⲁ in ⲛⲁ ⲛⲓⲫⲏⲟⲩⲓ̀ (part 7).
Ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲛⲓⲭⲟⲣⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲧⲁⲝⲓⲥ
ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲁ ⲛⲓⲫⲏⲟⲩⲓ̀ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲁ ⲡ̀ⲕⲁϩⲓ
ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲉⲩⲥⲟⲡ
ⲉⲩⲉⲣⲯⲁⲗⲓⲛ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲑⲉⲗⲏⲗ.
Ϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲛϭⲟⲓⲥ Ⲓⲏ̅ⲥ̅ Ⲡⲭ̅ⲥ̅ ⲡⲓϩⲓⲏⲃ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ
ⲁϥⲧⲱⲛϥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲏⲉⲑⲙⲱⲟⲩⲧ.
All the choirs and ranks of the heavenly and the earthly, angels and people together, sing with joy: for our Lord Jesus Christ, the true Lamb, is risen from the dead.
Good to know
- You should know Levels 1 and 2, but you don’t need to learn their examples or texts.
- Learn the words and examples in this level, but not the Bible references.
- Study the text and find the grammar in it.