Welcome to Lesson 15 of the Latinum Institute Coptic Course. Today's word is ⲉⲓⲣⲉ (eire), "to do" or "to make". In Lesson 14 you learned ⲉⲧⲃⲉ (etbe), "for, because of". This lesson, like the rest of the course, uses Sahidic Coptic, the literary dialect of Upper Egypt.
What does ⲉⲓⲣⲉ mean in Coptic?
ⲉⲓⲣⲉ means "to do" and "to make". Coptic does not separate the two the way English does. You do the will of God, you make a basket, and in both cases the verb is ⲉⲓⲣⲉ. With a noun after it, the verb can also mean "to become" or "to act as" something. When you are reading and meet ⲉⲓⲣⲉ, try "do" first, then "make", then "become".
How does Coptic use "do" differently from English?
English uses "do" as a helper verb in questions and negatives: "Do you know?", "I do not know." Coptic never does this. Coptic forms questions and negatives with its own prefixes and particles, and ⲉⲓⲣⲉ always keeps its full meaning. In ⲛ̄ⲅ̄ⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ⲁⲛ, "you do not know it" (John 13:7), there is no word for "do" at all. The negation is the frame ⲛ̄ … ⲁⲛ.
There is one thing in Coptic that does look like an auxiliary "do". The prohibitive prefix ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄-, "do not!", grew out of an older Egyptian negative imperative built on this very verb. You can still see the ⲣ̄ of "do" inside it.
Where does the word come from?
ⲉⲓⲣⲉ continues Egyptian jrj, "to do, to make", through Demotic jr(j). It has been one of the most common verbs at every stage of the language for three thousand years. In Bohairic, the northern dialect, the same verb is spelled ⲓⲣⲓ (iri).
The four forms of the verb
Like many Coptic verbs, ⲉⲓⲣⲉ changes its shape depending on what follows it. Learning these four shapes is the key to the whole lesson:
- ⲉⲓⲣⲉ (eire): the absolute form, used when no direct object follows immediately, or when the object is introduced by ⲛ̄-/ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ⸗ - ⲣ̄- (r-): the prenominal form, joined directly to a following noun: ⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ, "do work" - ⲁⲁ⸗ (aa-): the presuffixal form, joined to a pronoun suffix: ⲁⲁϥ, "do it" - ⲟ (o): the qualitative (stative), "be (as), serve as": ⲛⲉⲓⲟ ⲛ̄ϣⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, "I was a stranger"
There is also a special imperative: ⲁⲣⲓⲣⲉ "do!", ⲁⲣⲓ- before a noun, ⲁⲣⲓ⸗ before a suffix (ⲁⲣⲓϥ, "do it!").
Script and romanization in this lesson
Line b of each example romanizes the Coptic letter by letter: ⲏ = ē, ⲱ = ō, ϣ = š, ϫ = j, ϭ = č, ϩ = h, ϥ = f, ϯ = ti, ⲑ = th, ⲟⲩ = ou. A stroke over a consonant (ⲙ̄, ⲛ̄, ⲣ̄) marks it as a syllable by itself. The romanization writes the consonant plainly, and the pronunciation in parentheses shows the short vowel you say with it ("em", "en", "er"). The pronunciation respellings are a guide for English readers. Sahidic pronunciation is a scholarly reconstruction, not a living tradition.
Key Takeaways
- ⲉⲓⲣⲉ means both "do" and "make", and with a noun it can mean "become" or "act as" - It has four shapes: ⲉⲓⲣⲉ, ⲣ̄-, ⲁⲁ⸗, ⲟ, plus the imperative ⲁⲣⲓⲣⲉ / ⲁⲣⲓ- / ⲁⲣⲓ⸗ - ⲣ̄- + a bare noun makes many everyday compound verbs: ⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ "work", ⲣ̄ϩⲟⲧⲉ "fear", ⲣ̄ⲛⲟⲃⲉ "sin" - Coptic has no auxiliary "do" in questions and negatives; only the prohibitive ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄- "do not!" keeps a trace of the verb - In the present tense, a definite object comes after ⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄-/ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ⸗, never ⲣ̄-/ⲁⲁ⸗
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Examples 15.1–15.10 are constructed by the Latinum Institute from verified Sahidic forms and patterns. Examples 15.11–15.15 are quoted from the Sahidic New Testament (Horner's edition). Word division and supralinear strokes are normalized to this course's usage.
15.1a ⲁⲣⲓϥ do-it ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩ now
15.1b arif (a-REEF) do.IMP-it.M tenou (te-NOO) now
15.2a ⲟⲩ what ⲡⲉⲧⲕⲉⲓⲣⲉ the-which-you-do ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ it
15.2b ou (oo) what petkeire (pet-KEE-re) the.M-REL-you.M-do mmof (em-MOF) OBJ-it.M
15.3a ϯⲉⲓⲣⲉ I-do ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲧⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϥ the-good
15.3b tieire (tee-EE-re) PRES.I-do mpetnanouf (em-pet-na-NOOF) OBJ-the.M-REL-is.good
15.4a ⲁⲩⲣ̄ϩⲟⲧⲉ they-did-fear ⲉⲙⲁⲧⲉ greatly
15.4b aurhote (aw-er-HO-te) PERF-they-do-fear emate (e-MA-te) greatly
15.5a ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲣ̄ϩⲟⲧⲉ do-not-do-fear ⲡⲁϣⲏⲣⲉ my-son
15.5b mprrhote (em-per-er-HO-te) PROHIB-do-fear pašēre (pa-SHAY-re) my.M-son
15.6a ⲁⲓⲁⲁϥ I-did-it ⲕⲁⲧⲁ according-to ⲑⲉ the-manner ⲉⲛⲧⲁⲕϫⲟⲟⲥ that-you-said-it ⲛⲁⲓ to-me
15.6b aiaaf (ai-AAF) PERF.I-do-it.M kata (ka-TA) according-to the (t-HEH) the.F-manner entakjoos (en-tak-JOHS) REL.PERF-you.M-say-it.F nai (nai) to-me
15.7a ⲙ̄ⲡⲛ̄ⲣ̄ⲗⲁⲁⲩ we-did-not-do-any ⲛ̄ϩⲱⲃ of-thing ⲉⲙⲉϣϣⲉ improper
15.7b mpnrlaau (em-pen-er-LAH-oo) NEG.PERF-we-do-any nhōb (en-HOHB) of-thing emešše (e-mesh-SHE) CIRC-NEG.AOR-be.fitting
15.8a ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ the-man ⲉⲧⲉⲓⲣⲉ who-does ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲩⲱϣ the-will ⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ of-God ⲟⲩⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲟⲥ a-blessed-one ⲡⲉ is
15.8b prōme (p-ROH-me) the.M-man eteire (et-EE-re) REL-do mpouōš (em-poo-OHSH) OBJ-the.M-will mpnoute (em-p-NOO-te) of-the.M-God oumakarios (oo-ma-KA-ree-os) a-blessed pe (peh) is.M
15.9a ⲛ̄ⲧⲟϥ he ϩⲱⲱϥ also-he ϥⲛⲁⲁⲁⲩ he-will-do-them ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓϩⲉ in-this-way
15.9b ntof (en-TOF) he hōōf (HOHF) also-he fnaaau (ef-na-AH-oo) he-FUT-do-them nteihe (en-TEE-he) in-this.F-manner
15.10a ⲟⲩ what ⲡⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲁⲁⲁϥ the-which-we-will-do-it ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩ now ⲡⲁⲉⲓⲱⲧ my-father
15.10b ou (oo) what petnnaaaf (pet-en-na-AAF) the.M-REL-we-FUT-do-it.M tenou (te-NOO) now paeiōt (pa-ee-OHT) my.M-father
15.11a ⲡⲉϯⲉⲓⲣⲉ the-which-I-do ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ it ⲛ̄ⲧⲟⲕ you ⲛ̄ⲅ̄ⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ you-not-know ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ it ⲁⲛ not
15.11b petieire (pe-tee-EE-re) the.M-REL-I-do mmof (em-MOF) OBJ-it.M ntok (en-TOK) you.M ngsooun (eng-SOHN) NEG-you.M-know mmof (em-MOF) OBJ-it.M an (an) NEG
15.12a ⲁⲙⲏⲉⲓⲧⲛ̄ come ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲁⲩ and-you-see ⲉⲩⲣⲱⲙⲉ to-a-man ⲉⲁϥϫⲱ who-has-told ⲉⲣⲟⲓ to-me ⲛ̄ϩⲱⲃ thing ⲛⲓⲙ every ⲉⲛⲧⲁⲓⲁⲁⲩ that-I-did-them
15.12b amēeitn (a-may-EE-ten) come.IMP.PL ntetnnau (en-tet-en-NOW) CONJ-you.PL-see eurōme (ew-ROH-me) to-a-man eafjō (e-af-JOH) CIRC-PERF-he-say eroi (e-ROY) to-me nhōb (en-HOHB) OBJ-thing nim (neem) every entaiaau (en-tai-AH-oo) REL.PERF-I-do-them
15.13a ⲁⲣⲓⲡⲁⲙⲉⲩⲉ do-my-remembrance ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ the-Lord ⲉⲕϣⲁⲛⲉⲓ when-you-come ϩⲛ̄ in ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲟ your-kingdom
15.13b aripameue (a-ree-pa-MEV-e) do.IMP-my.M-remembrance pjoeis (p-jo-EES) the.M-Lord ekšanei (ek-sha-NEE) COND-you.M-come hn (hen) in tekmntero (tek-men-te-RO) your.F-kingdom
15.14a ⲛⲉⲓⲟ I-was ⲛ̄ϣⲙ̄ⲙⲟ as-stranger ⲡⲉ it-was ⲁⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ϣⲟⲡⲧ you-received-me ⲉⲣⲱⲧⲛ̄ to-you
15.14b neio (nee-O) IMPF-I-do.STAT nšmmo (en-shem-MO) as-stranger pe (peh) IMPF.PTCL atetnšopt (a-tet-en-SHOPT) PERF-you.PL-receive-me erōtn (e-ROH-ten) to-you.PL
15.15a ⲉⲫⲟⲥⲟⲛ inasmuch-as ⲁⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲁⲁⲥ you-did-it ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲁ for-one ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲓⲥⲛⲏⲩ of-these-brothers ⲉⲧⲥⲟⲃⲕ who-are-small ⲛ̄ⲧⲁⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲁⲁⲥ you-did-it ⲛⲁⲓ to-me
15.15b ephoson (e-PHO-son) inasmuch-as atetnaas (a-tet-en-AAS) PERF-you.PL-do-it.F noua (en-oo-A) for-one nneisnēu (en-nee-SNAY-oo) of-these-brothers etsobk (et-SOBK) REL-be.small.STAT ntatetnaas (en-ta-tet-en-AAS) 2PERF-you.PL-do-it.F nai (nai) to-me
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15.1 ⲁⲣⲓϥ ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩ. (arif tenou) "Do it now."
15.2 ⲟⲩ ⲡⲉⲧⲕⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ; (ou petkeire mmof) "What are you doing?"
15.3 ϯⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲧⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϥ. (tieire mpetnanouf) "I do what is good."
15.4 ⲁⲩⲣ̄ϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲉⲙⲁⲧⲉ. (aurhote emate) "They were very afraid."
15.5 ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲣ̄ϩⲟⲧⲉ, ⲡⲁϣⲏⲣⲉ. (mprrhote, pašēre) "Do not be afraid, my son."
15.6 ⲁⲓⲁⲁϥ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲑⲉ ⲉⲛⲧⲁⲕϫⲟⲟⲥ ⲛⲁⲓ. (aiaaf kata the entakjoos nai) "I did it just as you told me."
15.7 ⲙ̄ⲡⲛ̄ⲣ̄ⲗⲁⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ϩⲱⲃ ⲉⲙⲉϣϣⲉ. (mpnrlaau nhōb emešše) "We have done nothing wrong."
15.8 ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲟⲩⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲟⲥ ⲡⲉ. (prōme eteire mpouōš mpnoute oumakarios pe) "The man who does the will of God is blessed."
15.9 ⲛ̄ⲧⲟϥ ϩⲱⲱϥ ϥⲛⲁⲁⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓϩⲉ. (ntof hōōf fnaaau nteihe) "He too will do them in this way."
15.10 ⲟⲩ ⲡⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲁⲁⲁϥ ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩ, ⲡⲁⲉⲓⲱⲧ; (ou petnnaaaf tenou, paeiōt) "What shall we do now, my father?"
15.11 ⲡⲉϯⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ⲛ̄ⲧⲟⲕ ⲛ̄ⲅ̄ⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ⲁⲛ. (petieire mmof ntok ngsooun mmof an) "What I am doing, you do not understand." (John 13:7)
15.12 ⲁⲙⲏⲉⲓⲧⲛ̄ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲩⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲁϥϫⲱ ⲉⲣⲟⲓ ⲛ̄ϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲉⲛⲧⲁⲓⲁⲁⲩ. (amēeitn ntetnnau eurōme eafjō eroi nhōb nim entaiaau) "Come and see a man who told me everything I have done." (John 4:29)
15.13 ⲁⲣⲓⲡⲁⲙⲉⲩⲉ, ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ, ⲉⲕϣⲁⲛⲉⲓ ϩⲛ̄ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲟ. (aripameue, pjoeis, ekšanei hn tekmntero) "Remember me, Lord, when you come in your kingdom." (Luke 23:42)
15.14 ⲛⲉⲓⲟ ⲛ̄ϣⲙ̄ⲙⲟ ⲡⲉ, ⲁⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ϣⲟⲡⲧ ⲉⲣⲱⲧⲛ̄. (neio nšmmo pe, atetnšopt erōtn) "I was a stranger, and you took me in." (Matthew 25:35)
15.15 ⲉⲫⲟⲥⲟⲛ ⲁⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲁⲁⲥ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲁ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲓⲥⲛⲏⲩ ⲉⲧⲥⲟⲃⲕ, ⲛ̄ⲧⲁⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲁⲁⲥ ⲛⲁⲓ. (ephoson atetnaas noua nneisnēu etsobk, ntatetnaas nai) "Inasmuch as you did it for one of these least brothers, you did it for me." (Matthew 25:40)
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15.1 ⲁⲣⲓϥ ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩ.
15.2 ⲟⲩ ⲡⲉⲧⲕⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ;
15.3 ϯⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲧⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϥ.
15.4 ⲁⲩⲣ̄ϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲉⲙⲁⲧⲉ.
15.5 ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲣ̄ϩⲟⲧⲉ, ⲡⲁϣⲏⲣⲉ.
15.6 ⲁⲓⲁⲁϥ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲑⲉ ⲉⲛⲧⲁⲕϫⲟⲟⲥ ⲛⲁⲓ.
15.7 ⲙ̄ⲡⲛ̄ⲣ̄ⲗⲁⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ϩⲱⲃ ⲉⲙⲉϣϣⲉ.
15.8 ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲟⲩⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲟⲥ ⲡⲉ.
15.9 ⲛ̄ⲧⲟϥ ϩⲱⲱϥ ϥⲛⲁⲁⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓϩⲉ.
15.10 ⲟⲩ ⲡⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲁⲁⲁϥ ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩ, ⲡⲁⲉⲓⲱⲧ;
15.11 ⲡⲉϯⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ⲛ̄ⲧⲟⲕ ⲛ̄ⲅ̄ⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ⲁⲛ.
15.12 ⲁⲙⲏⲉⲓⲧⲛ̄ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲩⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲁϥϫⲱ ⲉⲣⲟⲓ ⲛ̄ϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲉⲛⲧⲁⲓⲁⲁⲩ.
15.13 ⲁⲣⲓⲡⲁⲙⲉⲩⲉ, ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ, ⲉⲕϣⲁⲛⲉⲓ ϩⲛ̄ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲟ.
15.14 ⲛⲉⲓⲟ ⲛ̄ϣⲙ̄ⲙⲟ ⲡⲉ, ⲁⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ϣⲟⲡⲧ ⲉⲣⲱⲧⲛ̄.
15.15 ⲉⲫⲟⲥⲟⲛ ⲁⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲁⲁⲥ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲁ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲓⲥⲛⲏⲩ ⲉⲧⲥⲟⲃⲕ, ⲛ̄ⲧⲁⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲁⲁⲥ ⲛⲁⲓ.
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These are the grammar rules for ⲉⲓⲣⲉ (eire), "do, make".
1. The four states of the verb
Coptic verbs change their form according to what follows them. ⲉⲓⲣⲉ changes more than most verbs:
- ⲉⲓⲣⲉ (eire): absolute state. Nothing follows directly: ⲁⲡⲥⲟⲛ ⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓϩⲉ "the brother did so" (15.29). It is also used when the object comes after ⲛ̄-/ⲙ̄- or ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ⸗: ϯⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲧⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϥ (15.3), ⲡⲉⲧⲕⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ (15.2) - ⲣ̄- (r-): prenominal state. Joined straight to a noun: ⲁⲩⲣ̄ϩⲟⲧⲉ (15.4), ⲙ̄ⲡⲛ̄ⲣ̄ⲗⲁⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ϩⲱⲃ (15.7). After the preposition ⲉ- it is written ⲉⲣ-, as in ⲉⲣⲗⲁⲁⲩ "to do anything" (John 5:19) - ⲁⲁ⸗ (aa-): presuffixal state. Joined to a pronoun suffix: - ⲁⲁⲧ (aat) "do me" - ⲁⲁⲕ (aak) "do you (m.)" - ⲁⲁϥ (aaf) "do him / it (m.)" - ⲁⲁⲥ (aas) "do her / it (f.)" - ⲁⲁⲛ (aan) "do us" - ⲁⲁⲩ (aau) "do them" - ⲟ (o): qualitative (stative). It describes a state, "be (as), serve as", and usually takes ⲛ̄ + noun: ⲛⲉⲓⲟ ⲛ̄ϣⲙ̄ⲙⲟ "I was a stranger" (15.14), ⲛⲉⲣⲉⲡⲃⲓⲣ ⲟ ⲛ̄ⲕⲟⲩⲓ "the basket was small" (15.24)
2. The imperative
ⲉⲓⲣⲉ is one of the few verbs with its own imperative:
- ⲁⲣⲓⲣⲉ (arire) "do!" (absolute) - ⲁⲣⲓ- (ari-) before a noun: ⲁⲣⲓⲡⲁⲙⲉⲩⲉ "remember me" (15.13), ⲁⲣⲓϩⲱⲃ "work!" (15.19) - ⲁⲣⲓ⸗ (ari-) before a suffix: ⲁⲣⲓϥ "do it!" (15.1, and John 2:5 in Section F)
The prohibitive "do not!" is ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄- + infinitive. With a compound verb, the ⲣ̄ of the prohibitive and the ⲣ̄ of "do" stand side by side: ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲣ̄ϩⲟⲧⲉ "do not fear" (15.5), ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲣ̄ϣⲓⲡⲉ "do not be ashamed" (15.26).
3. The present-tense rule (Jernstedt's rule)
In the present tense, and in relatives and circumstantials built on it, a verb may not take its object directly. ⲣ̄- and ⲁⲁ⸗ are therefore not used there. A definite object comes after ⲙ̄- (before a noun) or ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ⸗ (before a suffix) instead:
- ϯⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲧⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϥ "I do the good" (15.3), never *ϯⲣ̄ⲡⲉⲧⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϥ - ⲡⲉϯⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ "what I do" (15.11), never *ⲡⲉϯⲁⲁϥ - ⲉϥⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛⲃⲓⲣ "making baskets" (15.16). An indefinite object takes ⲛ̄-
Two exceptions:
- A bare noun with no article joins ⲣ̄- even in the present, because the two together count as one compound verb: ϣⲁϥⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ "he works" (15.17) - The future ⲛⲁ- and the past and other non-present tenses use ⲣ̄- and ⲁⲁ⸗ freely: ϥⲛⲁⲁⲁⲩ "he will do them" (15.9), ⲟⲩ ⲡⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲁⲁⲁϥ "what shall we do?" (15.10, modelled on John 6:28), ⲁⲓⲁⲁϥ "I did it" (15.6)
4. Compound verbs with ⲣ̄-
ⲣ̄- + a noun without an article is one of the most productive ways Coptic makes verbs:
- ⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ (rhōb) "do work" → "work" - ⲣ̄ϩⲟⲧⲉ (rhote) "do fear" → "be afraid" - ⲣ̄ⲛⲟⲃⲉ (rnobe) "do sin" → "sin" - ⲣ̄ϣⲓⲡⲉ (ršipe) "do shame" → "be ashamed" - ⲣ̄ⲡⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ (rpmeeue) "do the remembrance" → "remember". Horner's manuscript of Luke 23:42 spells it ⲙⲉⲩⲉ (15.13) - ⲣ̄ⲣ̄ⲣⲟ (rrro) "do king" → "be king, reign" - ⲣ̄ⲗⲁⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ϩⲱⲃ "do anything", usually after a negative: "do nothing" (15.7)
With an indefinite noun phrase, ⲣ̄- means "become": ⲁϥⲣ̄ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̄ϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ "he became a great elder" (15.30).
Greek verbs: in Sahidic, a borrowed Greek verb normally appears bare, as in ⲡⲓⲥⲧⲉⲩⲉ "believe". The Bohairic dialect usually puts ⲉⲣ- (its form of ⲣ̄-) in front of it.
5. ⲉⲓⲣⲉ across the tenses (third person masculine, "he")
- Present: ϥⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ (feire mmof) "he does it" - Negative present: ⲛ̄ϥⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ⲁⲛ (nfeire mmof an) "he does not do it" - Perfect: ⲁϥⲁⲁϥ (afaaf) "he did it" - Negative perfect: ⲙ̄ⲡϥ̄ⲁⲁϥ (mpfaaf) "he did not do it" - Future: ϥⲛⲁⲁⲁϥ (fnaaaf) "he will do it" - Habitual (aorist): ϣⲁϥⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ (šafrhōb) "he usually works" - Relative perfect: ⲡⲉⲛⲧⲁϥⲁⲁϥ (pentafaaf) "what he did"
Common Mistakes
- Using English "do" as a helper. "Do you know?" is not built with ⲉⲓⲣⲉ. Coptic marks the question by intonation, by a question word, or with ⲙⲏ / ⲙⲏⲧⲓ - Writing ⲣ̄- or ⲁⲁ⸗ in the present tense with a definite object. Write ϯⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ, not *ϯⲁⲁϥ - Treating a noun with an article as part of a compound. ⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ, with a bare noun, is the compound verb "work" and may stand in any tense. ⲡϩⲱⲃ "the work" is an ordinary definite object: write ⲁϥⲣ̄ⲡϩⲱⲃ "he did the work" in the perfect, but ϥⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡϩⲱⲃ "he does the work" in the present - Forgetting the imperative forms: "do it!" is ⲁⲣⲓϥ, not *ⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ - Mixing up ⲛⲁⲓ "to me" (15.6, 15.15) with ⲛⲁⲓ "these" (Lesson 13). Context decides
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Frequency and register. ⲉⲓⲣⲉ and its compounds run through every kind of Coptic text, from scripture and sermons to letters, contracts and the short sayings of the desert monks. Because so many verbs are built from ⲣ̄- + noun, a reader meets the verb's shapes on almost every line, often without noticing it.
"What shall I do?" The question ⲟⲩ ⲡⲉϯⲛⲁⲁⲁϥ, "What shall I do?", belongs to the culture of the Egyptian desert. In the Sayings of the Fathers (Apophthegmata Patrum), a young monk goes to an elder, asks what to do, and receives a short answer that is often a practical one. The genre section below is written in that manner.
Doing as obedience. The Gospel passages quoted in this lesson show how much of Christian teaching in Coptic is phrased with "do": doing the will of the one who sent (John 4:34, ⲉⲉⲓⲉⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲛⲧⲁϥⲧⲁⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓ, "that I may do the will of him who sent me"), doing what the Lord says (John 2:5), and doing for the least brother (Matthew 25:40). In Coptic Christianity, work with the hands was a spiritual practice. Basket-weaving and rope-making filled the monk's day, and their proceeds went to the poor.
Dialects. Sahidic ⲉⲓⲣⲉ, ⲣ̄-, ⲁⲁ⸗, ⲟ correspond to Bohairic ⲓⲣⲓ, ⲉⲣ-, ⲁⲓ⸗, ⲟⲓ. Bohairic is the dialect of the Coptic Orthodox liturgy today, so readers who hear the liturgy will meet the Bohairic forms.
Idioms
- ⲣ̄ⲡⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ "remember", literally "do the remembrance" - ⲣ̄ⲗⲁⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ϩⲱⲃ "do anything", which with a negative means "do nothing" - ⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓϩⲉ "do so, act in this way" - ⲟ ⲛ̄ + noun "be (in the role of)": ⲟ ⲛ̄ϣⲙ̄ⲙⲟ "be a stranger"
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The Gospel of John 2:5, the wedding at Cana, in the Sahidic version. Text from G. W. Horner, The Coptic Version of the New Testament in the Southern Dialect, otherwise called Sahidic and Thebaic (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1911–1924), as given in the STEP Bible digital edition (CopSahHorner). Word division and supralinear strokes are normalized to this course's usage.
The verse was chosen because it ends in a single word, ⲁⲣⲓϥ, "do it!". That one word is the special imperative of ⲉⲓⲣⲉ with a suffix pronoun. Just before it, the verse sets up the "it" with a relative clause.
15.F1a ⲡⲉϫⲉ said ⲧⲉϥⲙⲁⲁⲩ his-mother ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲧⲟⲩⲱⲧϩ̄ to-those-who-pour ϫⲉ that ⲡⲉⲧϥ̄ⲛⲁϫⲟⲟϥ the-which-he-will-say-it ⲛⲏⲧⲛ̄ to-you ⲁⲣⲓϥ do-it
15.F1b peje (pe-JE) said tefmaau (tef-MAH-oo) his.F-mother nnetouōth (en-ne-too-OHT-eh) to-the.PL-REL-pour je (je) that petfnajoof (pet-ef-na-JOHF) the.M-REL-he-FUT-say-it.M nētn (NAY-ten) to-you.PL arif (a-REEF) do.IMP-it.M
ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲁⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲧⲟⲩⲱⲧϩ̄ ϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲧϥ̄ⲛⲁϫⲟⲟϥ ⲛⲏⲧⲛ̄ ⲁⲣⲓϥ.
"His mother said to the servants, 'Whatever he tells you, do it.'"
ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲁⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲧⲟⲩⲱⲧϩ̄ ϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲧϥ̄ⲛⲁϫⲟⲟϥ ⲛⲏⲧⲛ̄ ⲁⲣⲓϥ.
ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲁⲁⲩ: ⲡⲉϫⲉ- is the special verb of speaking ("said"), followed directly by its subject. With a pronoun it becomes ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ "he said" (Lesson 13). ⲧⲉϥⲙⲁⲁⲩ is "his mother", with the feminine possessive ⲧⲉϥ-.
ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲧⲟⲩⲱⲧϩ̄: "to those who pour". ⲛ̄- marks the person spoken to, ⲛⲉⲧ- is "the ones who", and ⲟⲩⲱⲧϩ̄ is "pour, draw out". The servants at the wedding are named for the work they do: they are the ones who will draw the water that becomes wine (John 2:8, ⲟⲩⲱⲧϩ̄ ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩ, "draw out now").
ⲡⲉⲧϥ̄ⲛⲁϫⲟⲟϥ ⲛⲏⲧⲛ̄: "whatever he will say to you". ⲡⲉⲧ- is "that which", ϥ̄ⲛⲁ- is "he will", and ϫⲟⲟ⸗ϥ is "say it". The suffix -ϥ refers back to the masculine ⲡⲉⲧ- "that which".
ⲁⲣⲓϥ: "do it!". It is the imperative ⲁⲣⲓ⸗ with the same masculine suffix -ϥ. The pronoun of ⲁⲣⲓϥ points back to ⲡⲉⲧ-, so the sentence closes on itself: "what-he-will-say-it … do-it". The Greek has ποιήσατε, "do", and Coptic answers it with the one form of the verb that both commands and carries its object. The stance is the same as in the monastic sayings: a word is given, and it is to be done.
The verse also shows the future with a presuffixal verb (ϥ̄ⲛⲁϫⲟⲟϥ). The same is done with ⲉⲓⲣⲉ in ϥⲛⲁⲁⲁⲩ (15.9) and ⲟⲩ ⲡⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲁⲁⲁϥ (15.10): the future, unlike the present, lets the object attach directly.
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A short narrative in the manner of the Sayings of the Desert Fathers, composed by the Latinum Institute for this lesson. It is not a quotation from any ancient text. Every sentence uses ⲉⲓⲣⲉ in one of its forms.
15.16a ⲛⲉⲩⲛ̄ there-was ⲟⲩϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ an-old-man ⲡⲉ it-was ϩⲛ̄ in ⲧⲉⲣⲏⲙⲟⲥ the-desert ⲉϥⲉⲓⲣⲉ making ⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛⲃⲓⲣ some-baskets
15.16b neun (NEV-en) IMPF-there.is ouhllo (oo-hel-LO) an-old.man pe (peh) IMPF.PTCL hn (hen) in terēmos (te-RAY-mos) the.F-desert efeire (ef-EE-re) CIRC-he-make nhenbir (en-hen-BEER) OBJ-some-baskets
15.17a ϣⲁϥⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ he-would-do-work ⲙ̄ⲙⲏⲛⲉ daily ϫⲓⲛ from ϩⲧⲟⲟⲩⲉ dawn ϣⲁ until ⲣⲟⲩϩⲉ evening
15.17b šafrhōb (shaf-er-HOHB) AOR-he-do-work mmēne (em-MAY-ne) daily jin (jeen) from htooue (h-TOH-we) dawn ša (sha) until rouhe (ROO-he) evening
15.18a ⲁⲩⲥⲟⲛ a-brother ⲉⲓ came ϣⲁⲣⲟϥ to-him ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ he-said ϫⲉ that ⲁⲡⲁ abba ⲟⲩ what ⲡⲉϯⲛⲁⲁⲁϥ the-which-I-shall-do-it
15.18b auson (aw-SON) PERF-a-brother ei (ee) come šarof (sha-ROF) to-him pejaf (pe-JAF) said-he je (je) that apa (A-pa) father ou (oo) what petinaaaf (pe-tee-na-AAF) the.M-REL-I-FUT-do-it.M
15.19a ⲡⲉϫⲉ said ⲡϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ the-old-man ⲛⲁϥ to-him ϫⲉ that ⲁⲣⲓϩⲱⲃ do-work ϩⲛ̄ with ⲛⲉⲕϭⲓϫ your-hands
15.19b peje (pe-JE) said phllo (p-hel-LO) the.M-old.man naf (naf) to-him je (je) that arihōb (a-ree-HOHB) do.IMP-work hn (hen) with nekčij (nek-CHEEJ) your.M-PL.hands
15.20a ⲡⲉϫⲉ said ⲡⲥⲟⲛ the-brother ϫⲉ that ⲙ̄ⲡⲓⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ I-have-not-done-work ⲉⲛⲉϩ ever
15.20b peje (pe-JE) said pson (p-SON) the.M-brother je (je) that mpirhōb (em-peer-HOHB) NEG.PERF-I-do-work eneh (e-NEH) ever
15.21a ⲁⲡϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ the-old-man ϯ gave ⲛⲁϥ to-him ⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛⲃⲏⲧ some-palm-leaves ⲁⲩⲱ and ⲁϥⲧⲥⲁⲃⲟϥ he-taught-him ⲉⲉⲓⲣⲉ to-make ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲃⲓⲣ a-basket
15.21b aphllo (ap-hel-LO) PERF-the.M-old.man ti (tee) give naf (naf) to-him nhenbēt (en-hen-BAYT) OBJ-some-palm.leaves auō (a-WOH) and aftsabof (af-tsa-BOF) PERF-he-teach-him eeire (e-EE-re) to-make noubir (en-oo-BEER) OBJ-a-basket
15.22a ⲁⲡⲥⲟⲛ the-brother ⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ did-work ⲙ̄ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ in-the-day ⲧⲏⲣϥ̄ all-of-it
15.22b apson (ap-SON) PERF-the.M-brother rhōb (er-HOHB) do-work mpehoou (em-pe-HOH-oo) in-the.M-day tērf (TAYR-ef) all-of-it.M
15.23a ⲁϥⲉⲓⲛⲉ he-brought ⲙ̄ⲡⲃⲓⲣ the-basket ⲉⲛⲧⲁϥⲁⲁϥ that-he-had-made-it ϣⲁ to ⲡϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ the-old-man
15.23b afeine (af-EE-ne) PERF-he-bring mpbir (em-p-BEER) OBJ-the.M-basket entafaaf (en-taf-AAF) REL.PERF-he-make-it.M ša (sha) to phllo (p-hel-LO) the.M-old.man
15.24a ⲛⲉⲣⲉⲡⲃⲓⲣ the-basket-was ⲟ being ⲛ̄ⲕⲟⲩⲓ small ⲡⲉ it-was
15.24b nerepbir (ne-rep-BEER) IMPF-the.M-basket o (oh) do.STAT nkoui (en-KOO-ee) as-small pe (peh) IMPF.PTCL
15.25a ⲁⲡⲥⲟⲛ the-brother ⲣ̄ϣⲓⲡⲉ did-shame ⲉⲙⲁⲧⲉ greatly
15.25b apson (ap-SON) PERF-the.M-brother ršipe (er-SHEE-pe) do-shame emate (e-MA-te) greatly
15.26a ⲡⲉϫⲉ said ⲡϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ the-old-man ⲛⲁϥ to-him ϫⲉ that ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲣ̄ϣⲓⲡⲉ do-not-do-shame ⲡⲁϣⲏⲣⲉ my-son
15.26b peje (pe-JE) said phllo (p-hel-LO) the.M-old.man naf (naf) to-him je (je) that mprršipe (em-per-er-SHEE-pe) PROHIB-do-shame pašēre (pa-SHAY-re) my.M-son
15.27a ⲡⲉⲛⲧⲁⲕⲁⲁϥ that-which-you-did-it ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲟⲩ today ⲟⲩⲡⲉⲧⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϥ a-good-thing ⲡⲉ is
15.27b pentakaaf (pen-tak-AAF) the.M-REL.PERF-you.M-do-it.M mpoou (em-POH-oo) today oupetnanouf (oo-pet-na-NOOF) a-REL-is.good pe (peh) is.M
15.28a ⲛ̄ⲣⲁⲥⲧⲉ tomorrow ⲕⲛⲁⲁⲁϥ you-will-do-it ⲛ̄ⲕⲉⲥⲟⲡ another-time
15.28b nraste (en-RAS-te) tomorrow knaaaf (k-na-AAF) you.M-FUT-do-it.M nkesop (en-ke-SOP) another-time
15.29a ⲁⲡⲥⲟⲛ the-brother ⲉⲓⲣⲉ did ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓϩⲉ in-this-way ⲛ̄ϩⲁϩ for-many ⲛ̄ⲣⲟⲙⲡⲉ of-years
15.29b apson (ap-SON) PERF-the.M-brother eire (EE-re) do nteihe (en-TEE-he) in-this.F-manner nhah (en-HAH) for-many nrompe (en-ROM-pe) of-years
15.30a ⲁⲩⲱ and ⲁϥⲣ̄ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ he-became-a-great ⲛ̄ϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ old-man ϩⲛ̄ in ⲧⲉⲣⲏⲙⲟⲥ the-desert
15.30b auō (a-WOH) and afrounoč (af-er-oo-NOCH) PERF-he-do-a-great nhllo (en-hel-LO) of-old.man hn (hen) in terēmos (te-RAY-mos) the.F-desert
15.16 ⲛⲉⲩⲛ̄ ⲟⲩϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ ⲡⲉ ϩⲛ̄ ⲧⲉⲣⲏⲙⲟⲥ ⲉϥⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛⲃⲓⲣ. (neun ouhllo pe hn terēmos efeire nhenbir) "There was an old man in the desert who made baskets."
15.17 ϣⲁϥⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ ⲙ̄ⲙⲏⲛⲉ ϫⲓⲛ ϩⲧⲟⲟⲩⲉ ϣⲁ ⲣⲟⲩϩⲉ. (šafrhōb mmēne jin htooue ša rouhe) "Every day he worked from dawn until evening."
15.18 ⲁⲩⲥⲟⲛ ⲉⲓ ϣⲁⲣⲟϥ, ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲁⲡⲁ, ⲟⲩ ⲡⲉϯⲛⲁⲁⲁϥ; (auson ei šarof, pejaf je apa, ou petinaaaf) "A brother came to him and said, 'Abba, what shall I do?'"
15.19 ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲡϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲁⲣⲓϩⲱⲃ ϩⲛ̄ ⲛⲉⲕϭⲓϫ. (peje phllo naf je arihōb hn nekčij) "The old man said to him, 'Work with your hands.'"
15.20 ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲡⲥⲟⲛ ϫⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲓⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ ⲉⲛⲉϩ. (peje pson je mpirhōb eneh) "The brother said, 'I have never worked.'"
15.21 ⲁⲡϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ ϯ ⲛⲁϥ ⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛⲃⲏⲧ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁϥⲧⲥⲁⲃⲟϥ ⲉⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲃⲓⲣ. (aphllo ti naf nhenbēt, auō aftsabof eeire noubir) "The old man gave him palm leaves and taught him to make a basket."
15.22 ⲁⲡⲥⲟⲛ ⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲧⲏⲣϥ̄. (apson rhōb mpehoou tērf) "The brother worked the whole day."
15.23 ⲁϥⲉⲓⲛⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲃⲓⲣ ⲉⲛⲧⲁϥⲁⲁϥ ϣⲁ ⲡϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ. (afeine mpbir entafaaf ša phllo) "He brought the basket he had made to the old man."
15.24 ⲛⲉⲣⲉⲡⲃⲓⲣ ⲟ ⲛ̄ⲕⲟⲩⲓ ⲡⲉ. (nerepbir o nkoui pe) "The basket was small."
15.25 ⲁⲡⲥⲟⲛ ⲣ̄ϣⲓⲡⲉ ⲉⲙⲁⲧⲉ. (apson ršipe emate) "The brother was deeply ashamed."
15.26 ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲡϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲣ̄ϣⲓⲡⲉ, ⲡⲁϣⲏⲣⲉ. (peje phllo naf je mprršipe, pašēre) "The old man said to him, 'Do not be ashamed, my son.'"
15.27 ⲡⲉⲛⲧⲁⲕⲁⲁϥ ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲟⲩ ⲟⲩⲡⲉⲧⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϥ ⲡⲉ. (pentakaaf mpoou oupetnanouf pe) "What you did today is a good thing."
15.28 ⲛ̄ⲣⲁⲥⲧⲉ ⲕⲛⲁⲁⲁϥ ⲛ̄ⲕⲉⲥⲟⲡ. (nraste knaaaf nkesop) "Tomorrow you will do it again."
15.29 ⲁⲡⲥⲟⲛ ⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓϩⲉ ⲛ̄ϩⲁϩ ⲛ̄ⲣⲟⲙⲡⲉ. (apson eire nteihe nhah nrompe) "The brother did so for many years."
15.30 ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁϥⲣ̄ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̄ϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ ϩⲛ̄ ⲧⲉⲣⲏⲙⲟⲥ. (auō afrounoč nhllo hn terēmos) "And he became a great elder in the desert."
15.16 ⲛⲉⲩⲛ̄ ⲟⲩϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ ⲡⲉ ϩⲛ̄ ⲧⲉⲣⲏⲙⲟⲥ ⲉϥⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛⲃⲓⲣ.
15.17 ϣⲁϥⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ ⲙ̄ⲙⲏⲛⲉ ϫⲓⲛ ϩⲧⲟⲟⲩⲉ ϣⲁ ⲣⲟⲩϩⲉ.
15.18 ⲁⲩⲥⲟⲛ ⲉⲓ ϣⲁⲣⲟϥ, ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲁⲡⲁ, ⲟⲩ ⲡⲉϯⲛⲁⲁⲁϥ;
15.19 ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲡϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲁⲣⲓϩⲱⲃ ϩⲛ̄ ⲛⲉⲕϭⲓϫ.
15.20 ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲡⲥⲟⲛ ϫⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲓⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ ⲉⲛⲉϩ.
15.21 ⲁⲡϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ ϯ ⲛⲁϥ ⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛⲃⲏⲧ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁϥⲧⲥⲁⲃⲟϥ ⲉⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲃⲓⲣ.
15.22 ⲁⲡⲥⲟⲛ ⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲧⲏⲣϥ̄.
15.23 ⲁϥⲉⲓⲛⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲃⲓⲣ ⲉⲛⲧⲁϥⲁⲁϥ ϣⲁ ⲡϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ.
15.24 ⲛⲉⲣⲉⲡⲃⲓⲣ ⲟ ⲛ̄ⲕⲟⲩⲓ ⲡⲉ.
15.25 ⲁⲡⲥⲟⲛ ⲣ̄ϣⲓⲡⲉ ⲉⲙⲁⲧⲉ.
15.26 ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲡϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲣ̄ϣⲓⲡⲉ, ⲡⲁϣⲏⲣⲉ.
15.27 ⲡⲉⲛⲧⲁⲕⲁⲁϥ ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲟⲩ ⲟⲩⲡⲉⲧⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϥ ⲡⲉ.
15.28 ⲛ̄ⲣⲁⲥⲧⲉ ⲕⲛⲁⲁⲁϥ ⲛ̄ⲕⲉⲥⲟⲡ.
15.29 ⲁⲡⲥⲟⲛ ⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓϩⲉ ⲛ̄ϩⲁϩ ⲛ̄ⲣⲟⲙⲡⲉ.
15.30 ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁϥⲣ̄ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̄ϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ ϩⲛ̄ ⲧⲉⲣⲏⲙⲟⲥ.
The story uses every form of ⲉⲓⲣⲉ:
- Absolute ⲉⲓⲣⲉ: ⲉϥⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛⲃⲓⲣ (15.16, a circumstantial present, so the object takes ⲛ̄-), ⲉⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲃⲓⲣ "to make a basket" (15.21, the infinitive after ⲉ-), ⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓϩⲉ "did so" (15.29) - Prenominal ⲣ̄- in compounds: ϣⲁϥⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ (15.17), ⲙ̄ⲡⲓⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ (15.20), ⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ (15.22), ⲣ̄ϣⲓⲡⲉ (15.25); as "become": ⲁϥⲣ̄ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̄ϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ (15.30) - Presuffixal ⲁⲁ⸗: ⲡⲉϯⲛⲁⲁⲁϥ (15.18), ⲉⲛⲧⲁϥⲁⲁϥ (15.23), ⲡⲉⲛⲧⲁⲕⲁⲁϥ (15.27), ⲕⲛⲁⲁⲁϥ (15.28) - Qualitative ⲟ: ⲛⲉⲣⲉⲡⲃⲓⲣ ⲟ ⲛ̄ⲕⲟⲩⲓ (15.24) - Imperative ⲁⲣⲓ-: ⲁⲣⲓϩⲱⲃ (15.19); prohibitive ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲣ̄ϣⲓⲡⲉ (15.26)
Narrative tenses. The story is told in the perfect, which is the Coptic narrative past (ⲁϥ-, ⲁⲡⲥⲟⲛ, ⲁⲡϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ). Background is set in the imperfect: ⲛⲉⲩⲛ̄ … ⲡⲉ "there was" and ⲛⲉⲣⲉⲡⲃⲓⲣ … ⲡⲉ "the basket was". Habit is set in the aorist: ϣⲁϥⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ "he used to work". When the subject is a noun, the perfect prefix ⲁ- stands before it: ⲁⲡⲥⲟⲛ ⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ "the brother worked". With the indefinite article, ⲁ + ⲟⲩⲥⲟⲛ is written ⲁⲩⲥⲟⲛ (15.18).
Negatives. ⲙ̄ⲡⲓ-, the negative perfect, combined with ⲉⲛⲉϩ gives "never" (15.20). There is still no "do" in the negative. Compare English "I have never worked" with Coptic "not-I-did-work ever".
Desert vocabulary. ϩⲗ̄ⲗⲟ "old man, elder", ⲁⲡⲁ "abba, father" (a form of address), ⲃⲓⲣ "basket", ⲃⲏⲧ "palm leaf", ⲧⲉⲣⲏⲙⲟⲥ "the desert" (from Greek ἔρημος).
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The pronunciation of Sahidic is reconstructed from spelling, from Greek loanwords and from comparison with the other dialects. The respellings in this lesson are approximations for English readers.
- ⲉⲓ in ⲉⲓⲣⲉ is a long /iː/, as in "machine": ⲉⲓⲣⲉ is /ˈiːrə/ (EE-re), and the final ⲉ is a weak, unstressed vowel - ⲣ̄ standing alone is a syllabic r, /r̩/. English readers can say "er": ⲣ̄ϩⲱⲃ /r̩ˈhoːb/ (er-HOHB) - ⲁⲁ⸗ is a long /aː/: ⲁⲁϥ /aːf/ (AAF). In ϥⲛⲁⲁⲁϥ the future ⲛⲁ- is followed by the long vowel of ⲁⲁ⸗: /fnaˈaːf/ (ef-na-AAF) - ⲟ in the qualitative is a short /o/ (oh) - ⲁⲣⲓ- /aˈri/ (a-REE), with the stress on the second syllable - ϩ is /h/, ϣ is /ʃ/ (sh), and ϫ is close to /tʃ/ or /dʒ/ (j). ϭ is a palatal stop, between /kʲ/ and /tʃ/ (here "ch") - ⲟⲩ is /u/ (oo) as a vowel and /w/ as a consonant: ⲁⲩⲱ /aˈwoː/ (a-WOH), ⲁⲩⲥⲟⲛ /awˈson/ (aw-SON) - ⲑ in Sahidic is ⲧ + ϩ, /tʰ/, not English "th": ⲑⲉ /tʰe/ (t-HEH)
Stress. Coptic stresses the syllable with the full vowel, usually near the end of the word. Prefixes such as ⲁϥ-, ⲙ̄ⲡ-, ⲛⲁ- are unstressed, and the main stress falls on the verb: ⲁϥⲁⲁϥ (af-AAF), ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲣ̄ϩⲟⲧⲉ (em-per-er-HO-te).
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