Welcome to Lesson 9 of the Classical Nahuatl course for English speakers. In this lesson, we will explore the various ways to express "you" in Classical Nahuatl, a language that shows far more complexity in addressing others than modern English does. For a complete index of lessons in this course, please visit https://latinum.substack.com/p/index.
The word "you" in Classical Nahuatl is not a simple one-to-one translation. Unlike English, which uses the same word for singular and plural, formal and informal situations, Classical Nahuatl has multiple forms depending on number, formality, and grammatical function. The basic independent pronoun is tehuatl (singular) or anmehuantin (plural), but in actual speech, "you" most often appears as a prefix attached to verbs.
FAQ Schema Q: What does "you" mean in Classical Nahuatl? A: "You" in Classical Nahuatl has several forms: tehuatl/tehuatzin (singular independent pronoun), ti- (singular subject prefix), mitz- (singular object prefix), anmehuantin (plural independent pronoun), an- (plural subject prefix), and amech- (plural object prefix). The choice depends on grammatical function, number, and level of formality.
Educational Schema Subject: Classical Nahuatl Language Learning Topic: Second Person Pronouns and Prefixes Level: Beginner to Intermediate Type: Reading Comprehension and Grammar Learning Objectives: Understanding and using various forms of "you" in Classical Nahuatl
In this lesson, we will see how "you" functions in various contexts: as the subject of actions (ti-/an-), as the object of actions (mitz-/amech-), and as an independent pronoun for emphasis or clarification (tehuatl/anmehuantin). We'll also explore the reverential forms used to show respect.
Key Takeaways: -
Classical Nahuatl distinguishes between singular and plural "you" -
Subject and object forms are expressed through prefixes, not separate words -
Independent pronouns exist but are used mainly for emphasis -
Reverential forms show social hierarchy and respect -
Word order is more flexible than in English due to the prefix system
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9.1 Ti-you choca cry ipampa because ti-you cocoxqui sick
9.2 Mitz-you itta sees in the cihuatl woman ipan in tianquiztli market
9.3 Tehuatl you ti-you hualla come nican here axcan now
9.4 An-you(pl) quicua eat in the tlaxcalli tortilla ihuan and etl beans
9.5 Cuix question ti-you momachtia study nahuatl Nahuatl calli-house -c in
9.6 In the tlatoani ruler amech-you(pl) nahuatia commands ma that xi-you hualhuian come
9.7 Anmehuantin you(pl) an-you(pl) nemi live altepetl-town -pan in
9.8 Tle what ti-you c-it nequi want ti-you c-it chihuaz will-do
9.9 Nehuatl I ni-I mitz-you maca give ce one amoxtli book
9.10 Ma let xi-you mocehui rest tlaca if ti-you ciciahui tired
9.11 In the nocnih my-friend mitz-you notza calls inic so-that ti-you yauh go
9.12 Tehuatzin you(reverential) ti-you mo-your tlazohtla love in the Totecuiyo our-Lord
9.13 Quen how oti-you-past mochiuh became ye already huehcauh long-time
9.14 Amech-you(pl) mictia kills in the yaoyotl war tlaca if amo not an-you(pl) choloa flee
9.15 Xi-you c-it caqui hear in the cuicatl song in that ni-I c-it cuica sing
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9.1 Tichoca ipampa ticocoxqui. You cry because you are sick.
9.2 Mitzitta in cihuatl ipan tianquiztli. The woman sees you in the market.
9.3 Tehuatl tihualla nican axcan. You come here now.
9.4 Anquicua in tlaxcalli ihuan etl. You (plural) eat tortillas and beans.
9.5 Cuix timomachtia nahuatl callic? Do you study Nahuatl in the house?
9.6 In tlatoani amechnahuatia ma xihualhuian. The ruler commands you (plural) to come.
9.7 Anmehuantin annemi altepepan. You (plural) live in the town.
9.8 Tle ticnequi ticchihuaz? What do you want to do?
9.9 Nehuatl nimitzmaca ce amoxtli. I give you a book.
9.10 Ma ximocehui tlaca ticiciahui. Rest if you are tired.
9.11 In nocnih mitznotza inic tiyauh. My friend calls you so that you go.
9.12 Tehuatzin timotlazohtla in Totecuiyo. You (reverential) love our Lord.
9.13 Quen otimochiuh ye huehcauh? How have you been for a long time?
9.14 Amechmictia in yaoyotl tlaca amo ancholoa. War kills you (plural) if you don't flee.
9.15 Xiccaqui in cuicatl in niccuica. Hear the song that I sing.
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9.1 Tichoca ipampa ticocoxqui.
9.2 Mitzitta in cihuatl ipan tianquiztli.
9.3 Tehuatl tihualla nican axcan.
9.4 Anquicua in tlaxcalli ihuan etl.
9.5 Cuix timomachtia nahuatl callic?
9.6 In tlatoani amechnahuatia ma xihualhuian.
9.7 Anmehuantin annemi altepepan.
9.8 Tle ticnequi ticchihuaz?
9.9 Nehuatl nimitzmaca ce amoxtli.
9.10 Ma ximocehui tlaca ticiciahui.
9.11 In nocnih mitznotza inic tiyauh.
9.12 Tehuatzin timotlazohtla in Totecuiyo.
9.13 Quen otimochiuh ye huehcauh?
9.14 Amechmictia in yaoyotl tlaca amo ancholoa.
9.15 Xiccaqui in cuicatl in niccuica.
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The second person ("you") in Classical Nahuatl is far more complex than in English. Here are the essential forms and their uses:
Singular Forms: -
Independent pronoun: tehuatl (you), tehuatzin (you, reverential) -
Subject prefix: ti- (you do/are) -
Object prefix: mitz- (to/at you) -
Imperative prefix: xi- (do!/be!)
Plural Forms: -
Independent pronoun: anmehuantin (you all) -
Subject prefix: an- (you all do/are) -
Object prefix: amech- (to/at you all) -
Imperative prefix: xi- (you all do!/be!)
Key Grammatical Points: -
Prefix System: Unlike English, where "you" is a separate word, Nahuatl usually expresses "you" as a prefix attached directly to the verb. For example: -
ti-choca = you-cry (you cry) -
mitz-itta = you-sees (sees you) -
Subject vs. Object: The form changes depending on whether "you" is doing the action (subject) or receiving it (object): -
Subject: Tiquixtia (you destroy) -
Object: Mitzmictia (he kills you) -
Independent Pronouns: Tehuatl and anmehuantin are used mainly for emphasis or contrast, not in everyday speech. When used, they still require the appropriate verb prefix. -
Word Order: Because the subject is marked on the verb, word order is more flexible than in English. Both "Tichoca tehuatl" and "Tehuatl tichoca" mean "You cry."
Common Mistakes: -
Forgetting the prefix: English speakers often try to use tehuatl like English "you," forgetting the required verb prefix. -
Wrong: Tehuatl choca -
Right: Tehuatl tichoca or just Tichoca -
Mixing singular and plural: Using singular prefixes with plural pronouns or vice versa. -
Wrong: Anmehuantin tichoca -
Right: Anmehuantin anchoca -
Object prefix confusion: Using subject prefixes where object prefixes are needed. -
Wrong: Nehuatl tinechittac (I you-me-saw) -
Right: Nehuatl onitzitta (I saw you) -
Imperative formation: Forgetting that commands use xi- not ti-. -
Wrong: Ticalaqui! (You enter!) -
Right: Xicalaqui! (Enter!)
Step-by-Step Guide to Using "You": -
Determine if "you" is singular or plural -
Decide if "you" is the subject or object -
Choose the appropriate prefix (ti-/an- for subject, mitz-/amech- for object) -
Attach the prefix directly to the verb stem -
Add any other necessary prefixes or suffixes -
Use independent pronouns only for emphasis
Grammatical Summary: The second person in Classical Nahuatl is primarily expressed through verbal prefixes rather than independent words. The system distinguishes number (singular/plural), grammatical role (subject/object), and mood (indicative/imperative). Reverential forms add -tzin to pronouns and use special verb forms to show respect. This prefix system allows for more flexible word order than English while maintaining clarity about who is doing what to whom.
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The Classical Nahuatl system of addressing others reflects the complex social hierarchies of Aztec society. The distinction between familiar and reverential forms was crucial in maintaining proper social relationships. When addressing nobles, priests, or elders, speakers would use tehuatzin rather than tehuatl, and employ special reverential verb forms.
Modern Variants:
In modern Nahuatl varieties, the pronoun system has undergone various changes:
Huasteca Nahuatl: -
Maintains the ti-/an- distinction clearly -
Often drops final -tl from tehuatl → tehua -
Example: "Tehua tikisa?" (Are you leaving?)
Guerrero Nahuatl: -
Sometimes uses ta- instead of ti- for second person singular -
Preserves mitz- for object but may simplify to mech- -
Example: "Takwas tlaxkahli" (You will eat tortilla)
Morelos Nahuatl: -
Tends to use tehua/tehuan without the -tl -
May use amehuan instead of anmehuantin for plural -
Often maintains the reverential -tzin more than other variants -
Example: "Amehuan ankisaske" (You all will leave)
Cultural Evolution:
The reverential system has weakened in many modern communities, partly due to Spanish influence and changing social structures. However, some communities, particularly in rural areas, maintain elaborate systems of respect in their speech. The use of reverential forms now often depends more on age difference than social class, reflecting modern Mexican society's more egalitarian values.
In traditional contexts, such as ceremonial speech or when addressing elders, the full range of Classical forms may still appear. The imperative xi- remains strong across most variants, showing the continuity of this ancient form. Interestingly, some modern speakers have innovated new respectful forms by combining Spanish "usted" concepts with Nahuatl grammar, creating hybrid respectful address systems.
The object prefixes (mitz-/amech-) have shown remarkable stability across variants, perhaps because they fill a crucial grammatical role that has no easy Spanish equivalent. This demonstrates how indigenous structures persist when they serve unique communicative functions.
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From the Florentine Codex, Book VI, on addressing a young nobleman:
Nopiltze oh-my-son ma let xi-you mo-your yollali heart-establish, ma let xi-you mo-your cemelle settle-down. Ca for o-past ti-you hualla came, o-past ti-you c-it ax reached -ti-causative -co here in the tlalticpac earth. Ca for o-past mitz-you mo-reflexive tlalilili placed in the Tloque Near Nahuaque Together, in the Yohualli Night Ehecatl Wind.
Nopiltze, ma ximoyollali, ma ximocemelle. Ca otihualla, ca oticaxtico in tlalticpac. Ca omitzmotlalilili in Tloque Nahuaque, in Yohualli Ehecatl.
My son, settle your heart, calm yourself. For you have come, you have arrived here on earth. For the Lord of the Near and the Nigh, the Night Wind, has placed you here.
This passage exemplifies the elevated, metaphorical language used when addressing young nobles in Aztec society. The speaker uses multiple forms of "you": the imperative xi-, the subject prefix ti-, and the object prefix mitz-. The reverential -tze suffix on "nopiltze" (my son) establishes the formal, affectionate tone. The repetition of "ma xi-" creates a soothing rhythm, while the divine epithets "Tloque Nahuaque" and "Yohualli Ehecatl" place the youth's existence in cosmic context.
The passage demonstrates several second-person forms: -
xi-mo-yollali: imperative with reflexive pronoun (settle your heart) -
o-ti-hualla: past tense with subject prefix (you came) -
o-ti-c-ax-ti-co: complex form with object incorporation (you reached it here) -
o-mitz-mo-tlalilili: past tense with object prefix and reflexive (he placed you)
Note how the reflexive mo- combines with second person to show actions done to oneself, a common feature in formal Nahuatl discourse about personal development and spiritual matters.
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9.16 Quen how o-past ti-you mo-reflexive yolcauh woke-up in this yohuatzinco morning
9.17 Cuix question ye already o-past ti-you c-it qua ate mo-your neucxitl breakfast
9.18 Ma let xi-you hualauh come ti-you to-our tech-with tlacuaz will-eat
9.19 Tle-what -ica with o-past ti-you mo-reflexive cochcauh slept zan just tepitzin little
9.20 Xi-you c-it cui take inin this atl water inic so-that ti-you mo-reflexive cehuiz will-cool
9.21 Can where ti-you yauh go quin when ye already tlacuaz will-eat -qui they
9.22 Ahmo not ni-I c-it mati know tlein what ti-you c-it nequi want ti-you c-it chihuaz will-do
9.23 In the mo-your cihuauh wife mitz-you temoa seeks ye already huecauh long-time
9.24 Quen how ami not o-past ti-you nech-me ilhui told in that ti-you cocoxqui sick
9.25 Ma let xi-you mo-reflexive tlali sit nican here inic so-that ti-you to-our no-also tza -with -co together
9.26 An-you(pl) qui-it mati know aquin who o-past qui-it chiuh did inin this tequitl work
9.27 Tle-what -ipampa because amo not ti-you nech-me palehui help -a will ipan in no-my tequiuh work
9.28 Cuix question o-past ti-you quin-them ittac saw in the mo-your hueltiuh siblings
9.29 Ma let xi-you nech-me chia wait zatepan after ni-I mitz-you notza call -z will
9.30 Amehuan you(pl) xi-you(pl) mo-reflexive cahua leave -can plural inic so-that amo not an-you(pl) mo-reflexive tolinia suffer -z will -que plural
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9.16 Quen otimoyolcauh in yohuatzinco? How did you wake up this morning?
9.17 Cuix ye oticqua moneucxitl? Have you already eaten your breakfast?
9.18 Ma xihualauh titotechllacuaz. Come, you will eat with us.
9.19 Tleica otimocochcauh zan tepitzin? Why did you sleep just a little?
9.20 Xiccui inin atl inic timocehuiz. Take this water so that you will cool yourself.
9.21 Can tiyauh quin ye tlacuazqui? Where are you going when they will eat?
9.22 Ahmo nicmati tlein ticnequi ticchihuaz. I don't know what you want to do.
9.23 In mocihuauh mitztemoa ye huecauh. Your wife has been looking for you for a long time.
9.24 Quen ami otinechilhui in ticocoxqui? Why didn't you tell me that you were sick?
9.25 Ma ximotlali nican inic titonotzaco. Sit here so that you will converse with us.
9.26 Anquimati aquin oquichiuh inin tequitl? Do you (plural) know who did this work?
9.27 Tleipampa amo tinechpalehui ipan notequiuh? Why don't you help me with my work?
9.28 Cuix otiquinittac in mohueltiuh? Did you see your siblings?
9.29 Ma xinechchia zatepan nimitzonotzaz. Wait for me, afterwards I will call you.
9.30 Amehuan ximocahuacan inic amo anmotoliniazque. You all, take care of yourselves so that you won't suffer.
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9.16 Quen otimoyolcauh in yohuatzinco?
9.17 Cuix ye oticqua moneucxitl?
9.18 Ma xihualauh titotechllacuaz.
9.19 Tleica otimocochcauh zan tepitzin?
9.20 Xiccui inin atl inic timocehuiz.
9.21 Can tiyauh quin ye tlacuazqui?
9.22 Ahmo nicmati tlein ticnequi ticchihuaz.
9.23 In mocihuauh mitztemoa ye huecauh.
9.24 Quen ami otinechilhui in ticocoxqui?
9.25 Ma ximotlali nican inic titonotzaco.
9.26 Anquimati aquin oquichiuh inin tequitl?
9.27 Tleipampa amo tinechpalehui ipan notequiuh?
9.28 Cuix otiquinittac in mohueltiuh?
9.29 Ma xinechchia zatepan nimitznotzaz.
9.30 Amehuan ximocahuacan inic amo anmotoliniazque.
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In daily conversation, the second person forms show particular patterns that differ from formal speech:
Conversational Features: -
Question Formation: Questions frequently begin with "cuix" (interrogative particle) or question words like "quen" (how), "tleica" (why), "can" (where). The second person prefix remains attached to the verb: -
Cuix tiquitta? (Do you see?) -
Quen otimocochcauh? (How did you sleep?) -
Reflexive Combinations: Daily activities often involve reflexive pronouns (mo-) combined with second person: -
ti-mo-cehuia (you cool yourself) -
ti-mo-tlalia (you sit down) -
o-ti-mo-yolcauh (you woke up) -
Imperative Softening: The particle "ma" softens commands, making them more like suggestions: -
Ma xihualauh (Please come) -
Ma ximotlali (Please sit down) -
Compound Tenses: Past experiences use o- prefix: -
o-ti-qua (you ate) -
o-ti-mo-cochcauh (you slept) -
Object Incorporation: Common objects are often incorporated into the verb: -
ti-neuc-cua (you-breakfast-eat) -
ti-a-cui (you-water-take)
Common Conversational Expressions with "You": -
Quen tiyauh? (How are you going? = How are you?) -
Tle ticchihua? (What are you doing?) -
Can tinemiz? (Where do you live?) -
Cuix ticmati? (Do you know?) -
Ma xihualauh (Come here)
Informal vs. Formal Register:
Daily conversation allows for more contractions and shortened forms than formal speech. The reverential -tzin is rarely used except when addressing elders. Questions are more direct, and the elaborate metaphorical language of formal speech is absent.
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