← Babylonian (Talmudic) Aramaic
The Babylonian Aramaic possessive pronoun "my" is expressed through two main forms: the suffix דִּי־ (di-) attached directly to nouns, and the independent form דִּילִי (dili). This lesson explores both forms and their usage in various contexts from Talmudic and Targumic literature.
דִּילִי / דִּי (dili/di) - possessive pronoun meaning "my" or "mine" in Babylonian Aramaic. The suffix form דִּי־ attaches directly to nouns (e.g., בֵּיתִי "my house"), while דִּילִי functions as an independent possessive pronoun.
Q: What does דִּילִי/דִּי mean in Babylonian Aramaic? A: דִּילִי/דִּי means "my" or "mine" - it indicates possession by the speaker. It can appear as a suffix attached to nouns (דִּי־) or as an independent word (דִּילִי).
In this lesson, you'll encounter both forms of "my" in various contexts: -
As a suffix attached to family terms, body parts, and possessions -
As an independent possessive pronoun in emphatic constructions -
In religious and legal contexts from Talmudic sources -
With different noun types showing various grammatical patterns
Subject: Language Learning Language: Babylonian Aramaic Script: Hebrew/Aramaic (Ashurit) Level: Beginner Lesson Number: 20 Topic: Possessive Pronoun "my" (דִּילִי/דִּי) Learning Objectives: -
Recognize and use both suffix and independent forms of "my" -
Understand possessive constructions in Aramaic -
Read authentic Talmudic passages containing possessives
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Babylonian Aramaic has two ways to express "my": suffix דִּי־ and independent דִּילִי -
The suffix form is more common and attaches directly to nouns -
The independent form דִּילִי is used for emphasis or when the noun is understood -
Possessive suffixes cause vowel changes in some nouns -
Understanding possessives is crucial for reading Talmudic texts
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20.1 אַבִּי my-father אֲזַל went לְבֵיתָא to-the-house
20.2 כְּתָבִי my-book עַל on פָּתוֹרָא the-table הוּא is
20.3 אֲמַר said לִי to-me בְּרִי my-son קוּם arise
20.4 יְדִי my-hand כְּאֵיבָא hurts לִי to-me
20.5 חֲזָא saw אֲנָא I יָת (object marker) אַחִי my-brother בְּשׁוּקָא in-the-market
20.6 בֵּיתִי my-house רְחִיק far מִן from בֵּי house-of כְּנִישְׁתָּא synagogue
20.7 שְׁמִי my-name כְּתִיב written בְּסִפְרָא in-the-book
20.8 אִמִּי my-mother אָמְרָה said מִלְּתָא word דָּא this
20.9 עֵינִי my-eyes חָזְיָן see נְהוֹרָא light טָבָא good
20.10 מָארִי my-master יְהַב gave לִי to-me אַגְרָא reward
20.11 לִבִּי my-heart טָב good כַּד when שְׁמַעְנָא I-hear בְּשׂוֹרְתָּא news טָבְתָּא good
20.12 דִּילִי mine הוּא is סִפְרָא the-book הָדֵין this
20.13 חַיַּי my-life בִּידָךְ in-your-hand הוּא is
20.14 רַבִּי my-teacher אוֹלִיף taught יָתִי me אוֹרַיְיתָא Torah
20.15 בְּנַי my-children יָתְבִין sit בְּבֵיתָא in-the-house
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20.1 אַבִּי אֲזַל לְבֵיתָא. My father went to the house.
20.2 כְּתָבִי עַל פָּתוֹרָא הוּא. My book is on the table.
20.3 אֲמַר לִי בְּרִי קוּם. He said to me, "My son, arise."
20.4 יְדִי כְּאֵיבָא לִי. My hand hurts me.
20.5 חֲזָא אֲנָא יָת אַחִי בְּשׁוּקָא. I saw my brother in the market.
20.6 בֵּיתִי רְחִיק מִן בֵּי כְּנִישְׁתָּא. My house is far from the synagogue.
20.7 שְׁמִי כְּתִיב בְּסִפְרָא. My name is written in the book.
20.8 אִמִּי אָמְרָה מִלְּתָא דָּא. My mother said this word.
20.9 עֵינִי חָזְיָן נְהוֹרָא טָבָא. My eyes see good light.
20.10 מָארִי יְהַב לִי אַגְרָא. My master gave me a reward.
20.11 לִבִּי טָב כַּד שְׁמַעְנָא בְּשׂוֹרְתָּא טָבְתָּא. My heart is good when I hear good news.
20.12 דִּילִי הוּא סִפְרָא הָדֵין. This book is mine.
20.13 חַיַּי בִּידָךְ הוּא. My life is in your hand.
20.14 רַבִּי אוֹלִיף יָתִי אוֹרַיְיתָא. My teacher taught me Torah.
20.15 בְּנַי יָתְבִין בְּבֵיתָא. My children sit in the house.
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20.1 אַבִּי אֲזַל לְבֵיתָא.
20.2 כְּתָבִי עַל פָּתוֹרָא הוּא.
20.3 אֲמַר לִי בְּרִי קוּם.
20.4 יְדִי כְּאֵיבָא לִי.
20.5 חֲזָא אֲנָא יָת אַחִי בְּשׁוּקָא.
20.6 בֵּיתִי רְחִיק מִן בֵּי כְּנִישְׁתָּא.
20.7 שְׁמִי כְּתִיב בְּסִפְרָא.
20.8 אִמִּי אָמְרָה מִלְּתָא דָּא.
20.9 עֵינִי חָזְיָן נְהוֹרָא טָבָא.
20.10 מָארִי יְהַב לִי אַגְרָא.
20.11 לִבִּי טָב כַּד שְׁמַעְנָא בְּשׂוֹרְתָּא טָבְתָּא.
20.12 דִּילִי הוּא סִפְרָא הָדֵין.
20.13 חַיַּי בִּידָךְ הוּא.
20.14 רַבִּי אוֹלִיף יָתִי אוֹרַיְיתָא.
20.15 בְּנַי יָתְבִין בְּבֵיתָא.
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Babylonian Aramaic expresses "my" through two distinct forms: -
Suffix Form דִּי־/י־ -
Attaches directly to the end of nouns -
Most common form in everyday usage -
Examples: אַבִּי (my father), בֵּיתִי (my house), יְדִי (my hand) -
Independent Form דִּילִי -
Stands alone as a separate word -
Used for emphasis or when noun is understood -
Example: דִּילִי הוּא (it is mine)
-
Confusing suffix forms: English speakers often mix up י־ and דִּי־ endings -
Correct: אַבִּי (my father) NOT אַבְדִּי -
Correct: יְדִי (my hand) NOT יִי -
Wrong word order with דִּילִי: -
Correct: דִּילִי הוּא סִפְרָא (the book is mine) -
Incorrect: סִפְרָא דִּילִי הוּא -
Double possessives: Avoid using both suffix and דִּילִי -
Incorrect: בֵּיתִי דִּילִי (my house mine) -
Correct: Either בֵּיתִי or בֵּית דִּילִי
Unlike English which always uses the separate word "my," Aramaic primarily uses suffixes attached to nouns. This is similar to saying "father-my" instead of "my father."
-
Identify the base noun: e.g., אַב (father), בַּיִת (house) -
Add the appropriate suffix: -
Most nouns: add י־ (אַב → אַבִּי) -
Some nouns: add דִּי־ (יָד → יְדִי) -
Note vowel changes: Some nouns change internally when adding suffix -
For emphasis: Use דִּילִי after the noun phrase
Possessive Suffixes Pattern: -
Singular nouns ending in consonant: add י־ -
Nouns already ending in י: add דִּי־ or no change -
Plural nouns: add י־ after plural ending -
Body parts often use דִּי־: יְדִי (my hand), עֵינִי (my eyes)
Word Order: -
Suffix form: Possessed-my + other words -
Independent form: Noun + דִּילִי + verb/copula
Special Cases: -
Family terms always use simple י־: אַבִּי, אִמִּי, אַחִי, בְּרִי -
Some words have irregular forms: מָארִי (my master) from מָר -
דִּילִי can be inflected: דִּילִי (mine), דִּילָךְ (yours), דִּילֵיהּ (his)
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For English speakers learning Babylonian Aramaic, understanding possessive pronouns requires appreciating their cultural significance in Jewish texts. The suffix "my" appears constantly in Talmudic discussions about personal property, family relationships, and religious obligations.
In Talmudic law, the phrase "my property" (נִכְסַי) carries legal weight. When a sage says "my opinion" (דַּעְתִּי), it introduces authoritative teaching. The phrase "my master" (מָארִי) shows the respectful student-teacher relationship central to Jewish learning.
Family terms with "my" reflect the close-knit nature of Jewish communities. "My father" (אַבִּי) and "my mother" (אִמִּי) appear in discussions of honoring parents. "My son" (בְּרִי) is used affectionately by teachers addressing students, not just biological children.
Religious contexts use possessives uniquely. "My Creator" (בּוֹרְאִי) expresses personal relationship with God. "My portion" (חֶלְקִי) refers to one's spiritual inheritance. "My soul" (נַפְשִׁי) appears in prayers and mystical texts.
The independent form דִּילִי often appears in legal contexts for emphasis: "This field is MINE" (דִּילִי הוּא). This distinction matters in property disputes and inheritance law extensively discussed in the Talmud.
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Source: Babylonian Talmud, Berachot 5b
אָמַר said רַבִּי Rabbi חִיָּיא Hiyya בַּר son-of אַבָּא Abba אָמַר said רַבִּי Rabbi יוֹחָנָן Yohanan כָּל anyone שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ that-the-Holy בָּרוּךְ Blessed הוּא Be-He חָפֵץ desires בּוֹ in-him מְדַכְּאוֹ crushes-him בְּיִסּוּרִין with-sufferings שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר as-it-is-said וַה' and-the-Lord חָפֵץ desired דַּכְּאוֹ to-crush-him הֶחֱלִי He-made-sick
אָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן כָּל שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא חָפֵץ בּוֹ מְדַכְּאוֹ בְּיִסּוּרִין שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וַה' חָפֵץ דַּכְּאוֹ הֶחֱלִי.
Rabbi Hiyya bar Abba said that Rabbi Yohanan said: Anyone whom the Holy One, Blessed be He, desires, He crushes with sufferings, as it is said, "And the Lord desired to crush him; He made him sick."
אָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן כָּל שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא חָפֵץ בּוֹ מְדַכְּאוֹ בְּיִסּוּרִין שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וַה' חָפֵץ דַּכְּאוֹ הֶחֱלִי.
This passage demonstrates several grammatical features: -
Possessive relationships: Though "my" doesn't appear directly, the passage shows how Aramaic handles possession through construct chains (סְמִיכוּת): "son of Abba" (בַּר אַבָּא). -
Pronominal suffixes: -
בּוֹ (in him) - בְּ + וֹ suffix meaning "him" -
מְדַכְּאוֹ (crushes him) - verb + וֹ suffix meaning "him" -
דַּכְּאוֹ (to crush him) - infinitive + וֹ suffix -
Divine reference: הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא (the Holy One, Blessed be He) uses full formulation common in Talmudic Aramaic. -
Citation formula: שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (as it is said) introduces biblical proof text, mixing Hebrew quotation into Aramaic discourse.
The passage illustrates how Babylonian Aramaic handles complex theological concepts using economical pronominal forms rather than repeated nouns, similar to how "my" functions as suffix rather than separate word.
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20.16 שְׁטָרִי my-document דִּמְכִירָה of-sale אִיבַּד was-lost מִנִּי from-me
20.17 חַקְלִי my-field דְּבְבָבֶל that-in-Babylonia זַבִּינִית I-sold לְגַבְרָא to-the-man דֵּין this
20.18 סָהֲדַי my-witnesses חֲתִימִין signed עַל on גִּיטָּא the-bill דְּאִתְּתִי of-my-wife
20.19 זוּזַי my-money דְּפִקְדוֹן of-deposit אֶצְלֵיהּ with חַבְרִי my-friend הֲווֹ were
20.20 בֵּיתִי my-house וְחַצְרִי and-my-courtyard יְרִית I-inherited מֵאֲבוּי from-my-father
20.21 חוֹבִי my-debt פָּרַעְנָא I-paid לֵיהּ to-him בְּמַעֲמַד in-presence-of תְּלָתָא three
20.22 כְּתֻבָּתִי my-marriage-contract דִּכְתַב that-wrote לִי to-me בַּעְלִי my-husband קַיָּימָא stands
20.23 נִכְסַי my-property דִּמְטַלְטְלֵי that-moveable מְשַׁעְבַּדְנָא I-pledged לְבַעַל to-master חוֹבִי my-debt
20.24 עָרְבִי my-guarantor קַבִּיל accepted עֲלֵיהּ upon-himself לְמִפְרַע to-pay חוֹבַי my-debts
20.25 פִּקְדוֹנִי my-deposit דְּדַהֲבָא of-gold אִגְנַב was-stolen מִבֵּיתֵיהּ from-his-house
20.26 מַתַּנְתִי my-gift דִּיהַבִית that-I-gave לִבְרִי to-my-son בְּחַיַּי in-my-life קַיָּימָא stands
20.27 שׁוּתָּפִי my-partner בְּעִסְקָא in-business פָּלִיג divided עִמִּי with-me רִוְחָא the-profit
20.28 קִנְיָנִי my-acquisition דְּעַבְדָּא of-slave בָּטֵיל is-void מִשּׁוּם because דְּמוּמָא of-defect
20.29 יְרֻשָּׁתִי my-inheritance מֵאִמִּי from-my-mother כּוֹלֶלֶת includes תַּכְשִׁיטִין jewelry וְכֵלִים and-vessels
20.30 דִּינִי my-case אִתְבָּרַר was-clarified קֳדָם before דַּיָּינָא the-judge רַבָּא the-great
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20.16 שְׁטָרִי דִּמְכִירָה אִיבַּד מִנִּי. My sale document was lost from me.
20.17 חַקְלִי דְּבְבָבֶל זַבִּינִית לְגַבְרָא דֵּין. I sold my field in Babylonia to this man.
20.18 סָהֲדַי חֲתִימִין עַל גִּיטָּא דְּאִתְּתִי. My witnesses signed on my wife's divorce bill.
20.19 זוּזַי דְּפִקְדוֹן אֶצְלֵיהּ חַבְרִי הֲווֹ. My deposit money was with my friend.
20.20 בֵּיתִי וְחַצְרִי יְרִית מֵאֲבוּי. I inherited my house and my courtyard from my father.
20.21 חוֹבִי פָּרַעְנָא לֵיהּ בְּמַעֲמַד תְּלָתָא. I paid my debt to him in the presence of three.
20.22 כְּתֻבָּתִי דִּכְתַב לִי בַּעְלִי קַיָּימָא. My marriage contract that my husband wrote for me stands.
20.23 נִכְסַי דִּמְטַלְטְלֵי מְשַׁעְבַּדְנָא לְבַעַל חוֹבִי. I pledged my moveable property to my creditor.
20.24 עָרְבִי קַבִּיל עֲלֵיהּ לְמִפְרַע חוֹבַי. My guarantor accepted upon himself to pay my debts.
20.25 פִּקְדוֹנִי דְּדַהֲבָא אִגְנַב מִבֵּיתֵיהּ. My gold deposit was stolen from his house.
20.26 מַתַּנְתִי דִּיהַבִית לִבְרִי בְּחַיַּי קַיָּימָא. My gift that I gave to my son in my lifetime stands.
20.27 שׁוּתָּפִי בְּעִסְקָא פָּלִיג עִמִּי רִוְחָא. My business partner divided the profit with me.
20.28 קִנְיָנִי דְּעַבְדָּא בָּטֵיל מִשּׁוּם דְּמוּמָא. My acquisition of the slave is void because of a defect.
20.29 יְרֻשָּׁתִי מֵאִמִּי כּוֹלֶלֶת תַּכְשִׁיטִין וְכֵלִים. My inheritance from my mother includes jewelry and vessels.
20.30 דִּינִי אִתְבָּרַר קֳדָם דַּיָּינָא רַבָּא. My case was clarified before the great judge.
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20.16 שְׁטָרִי דִּמְכִירָה אִיבַּד מִנִּי.
20.17 חַקְלִי דְּבְבָבֶל זַבִּינִית לְגַבְרָא דֵּין.
20.18 סָהֲדַי חֲתִימִין עַל גִּיטָּא דְּאִתְּתִי.
20.19 זוּזַי דְּפִקְדוֹן אֶצְלֵיהּ חַבְרִי הֲווֹ.
20.20 בֵּיתִי וְחַצְרִי יְרִית מֵאֲבוּי.
20.21 חוֹבִי פָּרַעְנָא לֵיהּ בְּמַעֲמַד תְּלָתָא.
20.22 כְּתֻבָּתִי דִּכְתַב לִי בַּעְלִי קַיָּימָא.
20.23 נִכְסַי דִּמְטַלְטְלֵי מְשַׁעְבַּדְנָא לְבַעַל חוֹבִי.
20.24 עָרְבִי קַבִּיל עֲלֵיהּ לְמִפְרַע חוֹבַי.
20.25 פִּקְדוֹנִי דְּדַהֲבָא אִגְנַב מִבֵּיתֵיהּ.
20.26 מַתַּנְתִי דִּיהַבִית לִבְרִי בְּחַיַּי קַיָּימָא.
20.27 שׁוּתָּפִי בְּעִסְקָא פָּלִיג עִמִּי רִוְחָא.
20.28 קִנְיָנִי דְּעַבְדָּא בָּטֵיל מִשּׁוּם דְּמוּמָא.
20.29 יְרֻשָּׁתִי מֵאִמִּי כּוֹלֶלֶת תַּכְשִׁיטִין וְכֵלִים.
20.30 דִּינִי אִתְבָּרַר קֳדָם דַּיָּינָא רַבָּא.
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In Talmudic legal documents, possessive pronouns carry significant weight. Understanding how "my" functions in legal contexts is crucial for reading contracts, court records, and halakhic discussions.
Key Legal Terms with "My": -
Property Terms: -
שְׁטָרִי (my document) - legal documents -
חַקְלִי (my field) - real estate -
נִכְסַי (my property) - general assets -
בֵּיתִי וְחַצְרִי (my house and courtyard) - real property -
Financial Terms: -
זוּזַי (my money) - currency -
חוֹבִי (my debt) - obligations -
פִּקְדוֹנִי (my deposit) - bailments -
Personal Status Terms: -
כְּתֻבָּתִי (my marriage contract) - women's rights -
יְרֻשָּׁתִי (my inheritance) - succession law -
דִּינִי (my case) - litigation
Legal Formulas:
The suffix "my" appears in standard legal formulas: -
זַבִּינִית חַקְלִי (I sold my field) -
קַבִּיל עֲלֵיהּ חוֹבַי (he accepted my debts upon himself) -
אִתְבָּרַר דִּינִי (my case was clarified)
Witnessing Requirements:
Note the phrase בְּמַעֲמַד תְּלָתָא (in presence of three) - many legal acts require witnesses. "My witnesses" (סָהֲדַי) must be qualified adults who can testify to transactions.
Time Elements:
The phrase בְּחַיַּי (in my lifetime) distinguishes gifts given during life from inheritance after death - a crucial legal distinction in Talmudic law.
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This lesson is part of the Latinum Institute's comprehensive language learning series, designed specifically for autodidactic learners. The course methodology, developed by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), emphasizes:
Interleaved Learning: Each sentence is broken down word-by-word with immediate translation, allowing learners to build vocabulary naturally while understanding grammatical structures.
Authentic Texts: All examples come from genuine historical sources - Talmudic literature, Targumim, and epigraphic materials - ensuring learners encounter real language usage.
Progressive Structure: Lessons move from simple constructions to complex literary passages, with consistent formatting that includes: -
Part A: Granular interleaved text for beginners -
Part B: Complete sentences with translations -
Part C: Pure target language immersion -
Part D: Detailed grammar explanations -
Part E: Cultural context -
Part F: Literary citations with analysis
Genre Variety: Each lesson includes a genre section (legal, narrative, epistolary, etc.) exposing learners to different registers and styles of the language.
The Latinum Institute has been creating online language learning materials since 2006, with courses available at: -
latinum.substack.com -
latinum.org.uk -
patreon.com/latinum
Reviews and testimonials can be found at: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
This method has proven particularly effective for self-directed learners who want to read historical texts in their original languages without depending on translations. The course assumes no prior knowledge and builds systematically toward reading competence.
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