What does "have" mean in Odia?
English "have" does three jobs. It shows possession: "I have a book." It forms the perfect: "I have eaten." And with "to" it shows obligation: "I have to go." Odia has no verb meaning "to have." It does all three jobs in other ways, and the word at the centre of two of them is ଅଛି (achhi), "is, exists, is there."
To say "I have a book," Odia says "of me a book is": ମୋର ଗୋଟିଏ ବହି ଅଛି (mora goṭie bahi achhi). The owner goes into the genitive case, ମୋର (mora), "my, of me." The thing owned is the subject of the sentence, and the verb is ଅଛି, "is (there)." To say "I do not have," replace ଅଛି with ନାହିଁ (nāhiṁ), "is not (there)": ମୋର ସମୟ ନାହିଁ (mora samaya nāhiṁ), "I have no time." For the past use ଥିଲା (thilā), "was (there)": ତାର ଗୋଟିଏ କୁକୁର ଥିଲା (tāra goṭie kukura thilā), "he had a dog."
For things you carry with you, such as money, a pen or a phone, Odia prefers ପାଖରେ (pākhare), "near, by, in the keeping of": ମୋ ପାଖରେ ଟଙ୍କା ନାହିଁ (mo pākhare ṭaṅkā nāhiṁ), "I have no money on me." The noun ପାଖ (pākha) means "side, nearness, keeping"; it comes from Sanskrit पार्श्व (pārśva), "side," and is related to Hindi पास (pās) and Bengali পাশ (pāś).
The English perfect, "I have eaten," is also built on ଅଛି. The Odia perfect ଖାଇଛି (khāichhi) grew out of ଖାଇ (khāi), "having eaten," plus ଅଛି: "having eaten, I am." In the past, "I had eaten" is ଖାଇଥିଲି (khāithili), "having eaten, I was."
"Have to" uses a different verb altogether: ପଡ଼ିବା (paṛibā), "to fall." The person who must act goes into the dative: ମୋତେ ଯିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିବ (mote jibāku paṛiba), "to me going will fall," that is, "I will have to go." You met this construction in Lesson 10, in ଚାବି ଦେବାକୁ ପଡ଼େ, "(it) has to be wound."
A note on the script. ଅଛି is three letters: the independent vowel ଅ (a), the aspirated consonant ଛ (chha) and the consonant carrying the vowel sign ି (i). Take care not to confuse ଛ (chha) with the unaspirated ଚ (ca) of ଚାବି (cābi, "key"). In ଥିଲା, ଥ (tha) is an aspirated dental: the tongue touches the upper teeth and a puff of breath follows.
- Odia has no verb "to have"; possession is "of me … is": ମୋର … ଅଛି (mora … achhi) - Negative: ମୋର … ନାହିଁ (nāhiṁ), "I don't have"; past: ମୋର … ଥିଲା (thilā), "I had" - For things on your person, use ପାଖରେ: ମୋ ପାଖରେ କଲମ ଅଛି (mo pākhare kalama achhi), "I have a pen (with me)" - The verb agrees with the thing possessed, not with the owner: people take ଅଛନ୍ତି (achhanti), things take ଅଛି - The perfect "have done" is also built on ଅଛି: ଖାଇଛି (khāichhi), "has eaten" - "Have to" is dative + verbal noun in -ବାକୁ (-bāku) + ପଡ଼ିବା (paṛibā): ମୋତେ ଯିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିବ, "I will have to go"
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11.1a ମୋର my ଗୋଟିଏ a ବହି book ଅଛି is
11.1b mora (MO-raw) my-1SG.GEN goṭie (GO-ti-e) one-CLF=a bahi (BAW-hi) book achhi (AW-chhi) is-EXIST.3SG
11.2a ତୁମର your ଛତା umbrella ଅଛି is କି Q
11.2b tumara (TU-maw-raw) you-2.INFORMAL.GEN chhatā (CHHAW-taa) umbrella achhi (AW-chhi) is-EXIST.3SG ki (ki) Q-PARTICLE
11.3a ମୋର my ସମୟ time ନାହିଁ is-not
11.3b mora (MO-raw) my-1SG.GEN samaya (SAW-maw-yaw) time nāhiṁ (NAA-hĩ) not-exist-NEG.EXIST
11.4a ତାର his ଗୋଟିଏ a କୁକୁର dog ଥିଲା was
11.4b tāra (TAA-raw) he/she-3SG.GEN goṭie (GO-ti-e) one-CLF=a kukura (KU-ku-raw) dog thilā (THI-laa) was-EXIST.PST.3SG
11.5a ମୋ my ପାଖରେ near ଟଙ୍କା money ନାହିଁ is-not
11.5b mo (mo) my-1SG.GEN.SHORT pākhare (PAA-khaw-re) side-LOC=with ṭaṅkā (TAWNG-kaa) money nāhiṁ (NAA-hĩ) not-exist-NEG.EXIST
11.6a ଗାଁରେ in-village ଆମର our ଦୁଇଟି two ଗାଈ cows ଅଛି are
11.6b gāṁre (GÃA-re) village-LOC āmara (AA-maw-raw) we-1PL.GEN duiṭi (DU-i-ti) two-CLF gāi (GAA-i) cow achhi (AW-chhi) is-EXIST.3SG
11.7a ମୋର my ଜଣେ one ଭାଇ brother ଓ and ଦୁଇ two ଭଉଣୀ sisters ଅଛନ୍ତି are
11.7b mora (MO-raw) my-1SG.GEN jaṇe (JAW-ne) one-CLF.PERSON bhāi (BHAA-i) brother o (o) and dui (DU-i) two bhauṇī (BHAW-u-nee) sister achhanti (AW-chhawn-ti) are-EXIST.3PL.HON
11.8a ଆପଣଙ୍କ your ପାଖରେ near କଲମ pen ଅଛି is କି Q
11.8b āpaṇaṅka (AA-paw-nawng-kaw) you-2.FORMAL.GEN pākhare (PAA-khaw-re) side-LOC=with kalama (KAW-law-maw) pen achhi (AW-chhi) is-EXIST.3SG ki (ki) Q-PARTICLE
11.9a ଆଜି today ମୋର my ବହୁତ much କାମ work ଅଛି is
11.9b āji (AA-ji) today mora (MO-raw) my-1SG.GEN bahuta (BAW-hu-taw) much kāma (KAA-maw) work achhi (AW-chhi) is-EXIST.3SG
11.10a ମୁଁ I ଏହି this ବହିଟି the-book ଦୁଇ two ଥର times ପଢ଼ିଛି have-read
11.10b muṁ (mũ) I-1SG.NOM ehi (E-hi) this-DEM.ADJ bahiṭi (BAW-hi-ti) book-CLF.DEF dui (DU-i) two thara (THAW-raw) time paṛhichhi (PAW-rhi-chhi) read-PRF.1SG
11.11a ଗତକାଲିଠାରୁ since-yesterday ମୋ my ଝିଅର daughter's ଜ୍ୱର fever ହୋଇଛି has-become ତେଣୁ so ସେ she ସ୍କୁଲ school ଯାଇନାହିଁ has-not-gone
11.11b gatakāliṭhāru (GAW-taw-kaa-li-thaa-ru) yesterday-ABL=since-yesterday mo (mo) my-1SG.GEN.SHORT jhiara (JHI-aw-raw) daughter-GEN jwara (JWAW-raw) fever hoichhi (HO-i-chhi) become-PRF.3SG teṇu (TE-nu) therefore se (se) she-3SG.NOM skula (SKU-law) school jāināhiṁ (JAA-i-naa-hĩ) go-CVB-NEG.PRF=has-not-gone
11.12a ଏହି this ଗାଁର of-village ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କର of-the-people ଜମି land ଅଛି is କିନ୍ତୁ but ପାଣି water ନାହିଁ is-not
11.12b ehi (E-hi) this-DEM.ADJ gāṁra (GÃA-raw) village-GEN lokamānaṅkara (LO-kaw-maa-nawng-kaw-raw) person-PL-GEN jami (JAW-mi) land achhi (AW-chhi) is-EXIST.3SG kintu (KIN-tu) but pāṇi (PAA-ni) water nāhiṁ (NAA-hĩ) not-exist-NEG.EXIST
11.13a ମୋତେ to-me କାଲି tomorrow ସକାଳେ in-the-morning କଟକ Cuttack ଯିବାକୁ to-go ପଡ଼ିବ will-fall
11.13b mote (MO-te) I-1SG.DAT kāli (KAA-li) tomorrow sakāḷe (SAW-kaa-le) morning-LOC kaṭaka (KAW-taw-kaw) Cuttack jibāku (JI-baa-ku) go-VN-DAT paṛiba (PAW-ri-baw) fall-FUT.3SG=must
11.14a ପିଲାଦିନେ in-childhood ଆମର our ଗୋଟିଏ a ଛୋଟ small ଘର house ଥିଲା was ଆଉ and ଘର house ପଛରେ behind ଗୋଟିଏ a ପୋଖରୀ pond ଥିଲା was
11.14b pilādine (PI-laa-di-ne) child-day-LOC=in-childhood āmara (AA-maw-raw) we-1PL.GEN goṭie (GO-ti-e) one-CLF=a chhoṭa (CHHO-taw) small ghara (GHAW-raw) house thilā (THI-laa) was-EXIST.PST.3SG āu (AA-u) and ghara (GHAW-raw) house pachhare (PAW-chhaw-re) back-LOC=behind goṭie (GO-ti-e) one-CLF=a pokharī (PO-khaw-ree) pond thilā (THI-laa) was-EXIST.PST.3SG
11.15a ଯାହାର whose ଧୈର୍ଯ୍ୟ patience ଅଛି is ତାର his ସବୁ all ଅଛି is ଯାହାର whose ଧୈର୍ଯ୍ୟ patience ନାହିଁ is-not ତାର his କିଛି anything ନାହିଁ is-not
11.15b jāhāra (JAA-haa-raw) who-REL.GEN dhairya (DHOI-rjaw) patience achhi (AW-chhi) is-EXIST.3SG tāra (TAA-raw) he-CORREL.GEN sabu (SAW-bu) all achhi (AW-chhi) is-EXIST.3SG jāhāra (JAA-haa-raw) who-REL.GEN dhairya (DHOI-rjaw) patience nāhiṁ (NAA-hĩ) not-exist-NEG.EXIST tāra (TAA-raw) he-CORREL.GEN kichhi (KI-chhi) anything nāhiṁ (NAA-hĩ) not-exist-NEG.EXIST
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11.1 ମୋର ଗୋଟିଏ ବହି ଅଛି। (mora goṭie bahi achhi.) I have a book.
11.2 ତୁମର ଛତା ଅଛି କି? (tumara chhatā achhi ki?) Do you have an umbrella?
11.3 ମୋର ସମୟ ନାହିଁ। (mora samaya nāhiṁ.) I have no time.
11.4 ତାର ଗୋଟିଏ କୁକୁର ଥିଲା। (tāra goṭie kukura thilā.) He had a dog.
11.5 ମୋ ପାଖରେ ଟଙ୍କା ନାହିଁ। (mo pākhare ṭaṅkā nāhiṁ.) I have no money on me.
11.6 ଗାଁରେ ଆମର ଦୁଇଟି ଗାଈ ଅଛି। (gāṁre āmara duiṭi gāi achhi.) In the village we have two cows.
11.7 ମୋର ଜଣେ ଭାଇ ଓ ଦୁଇ ଭଉଣୀ ଅଛନ୍ତି। (mora jaṇe bhāi o dui bhauṇī achhanti.) I have one brother and two sisters.
11.8 ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ କଲମ ଅଛି କି? (āpaṇaṅka pākhare kalama achhi ki?) Do you have a pen?
11.9 ଆଜି ମୋର ବହୁତ କାମ ଅଛି। (āji mora bahuta kāma achhi.) I have a lot of work today.
11.10 ମୁଁ ଏହି ବହିଟି ଦୁଇ ଥର ପଢ଼ିଛି। (muṁ ehi bahiṭi dui thara paṛhichhi.) I have read this book twice.
11.11 ଗତକାଲିଠାରୁ ମୋ ଝିଅର ଜ୍ୱର ହୋଇଛି, ତେଣୁ ସେ ସ୍କୁଲ ଯାଇନାହିଁ। (gatakāliṭhāru mo jhiara jwara hoichhi, teṇu se skula jāināhiṁ.) My daughter has had a fever since yesterday, so she hasn't gone to school.
11.12 ଏହି ଗାଁର ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କର ଜମି ଅଛି, କିନ୍ତୁ ପାଣି ନାହିଁ। (ehi gāṁra lokamānaṅkara jami achhi, kintu pāṇi nāhiṁ.) The people of this village have land, but they have no water.
11.13 ମୋତେ କାଲି ସକାଳେ କଟକ ଯିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିବ। (mote kāli sakāḷe kaṭaka jibāku paṛiba.) I will have to go to Cuttack tomorrow morning.
11.14 ପିଲାଦିନେ ଆମର ଗୋଟିଏ ଛୋଟ ଘର ଥିଲା, ଆଉ ଘର ପଛରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ପୋଖରୀ ଥିଲା। (pilādine āmara goṭie chhoṭa ghara thilā, āu ghara pachhare goṭie pokharī thilā.) When we were children we had a small house, and behind the house there was a pond.
11.15 ଯାହାର ଧୈର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଅଛି, ତାର ସବୁ ଅଛି; ଯାହାର ଧୈର୍ଯ୍ୟ ନାହିଁ, ତାର କିଛି ନାହିଁ। (jāhāra dhairya achhi, tāra sabu achhi; jāhāra dhairya nāhiṁ, tāra kichhi nāhiṁ.) Whoever has patience has everything; whoever has no patience has nothing.
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11.1 ମୋର ଗୋଟିଏ ବହି ଅଛି।
11.2 ତୁମର ଛତା ଅଛି କି?
11.3 ମୋର ସମୟ ନାହିଁ।
11.4 ତାର ଗୋଟିଏ କୁକୁର ଥିଲା।
11.5 ମୋ ପାଖରେ ଟଙ୍କା ନାହିଁ।
11.6 ଗାଁରେ ଆମର ଦୁଇଟି ଗାଈ ଅଛି।
11.7 ମୋର ଜଣେ ଭାଇ ଓ ଦୁଇ ଭଉଣୀ ଅଛନ୍ତି।
11.8 ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ କଲମ ଅଛି କି?
11.9 ଆଜି ମୋର ବହୁତ କାମ ଅଛି।
11.10 ମୁଁ ଏହି ବହିଟି ଦୁଇ ଥର ପଢ଼ିଛି।
11.11 ଗତକାଲିଠାରୁ ମୋ ଝିଅର ଜ୍ୱର ହୋଇଛି, ତେଣୁ ସେ ସ୍କୁଲ ଯାଇନାହିଁ।
11.12 ଏହି ଗାଁର ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କର ଜମି ଅଛି, କିନ୍ତୁ ପାଣି ନାହିଁ।
11.13 ମୋତେ କାଲି ସକାଳେ କଟକ ଯିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିବ।
11.14 ପିଲାଦିନେ ଆମର ଗୋଟିଏ ଛୋଟ ଘର ଥିଲା, ଆଉ ଘର ପଛରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ପୋଖରୀ ଥିଲା।
11.15 ଯାହାର ଧୈର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଅଛି, ତାର ସବୁ ଅଛି; ଯାହାର ଧୈର୍ଯ୍ୟ ନାହିଁ, ତାର କିଛି ନାହିଁ।
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These are the grammar rules for "have" in Odia:
1. Possession: owner in the genitive, verb "to be." Odia turns "I have X" round into "of me X is." The owner takes the genitive; the thing owned is the grammatical subject; the verb is the existential ଅଛି:
- ମୋର ବହି ଅଛି (mora bahi achhi): "I have a book" (of me book is) - ତୁମର ଛତା ଅଛି (tumara chhatā achhi): "you have an umbrella" - ଆପଣଙ୍କର ଗାଡ଼ି ଅଛି (āpaṇaṅkara gāṛi achhi): "you (formal) have a car"
The genitive pronouns you need:
- ମୋର / ମୋ (mora / mo): "my, of me" - ତୋର / ତୋ (tora / to): "your" (intimate ତୁ) - ତୁମର / ତୁମ (tumara / tuma): "your" (familiar ତୁମେ) - ଆପଣଙ୍କର / ଆପଣଙ୍କ (āpaṇaṅkara / āpaṇaṅka): "your" (formal ଆପଣ) - ତାର / ତା' (tāra / tā'): "his, her" (plain) - ତାଙ୍କର / ତାଙ୍କ (tāṅkara / tāṅka): "his, her" (honorific) - ଆମର / ଆମ (āmara / āma): "our" - ସେମାନଙ୍କର (semānaṅkara): "their"
For nouns, add -ର (-ra): ଝିଅର (jhiara), "the daughter's." For respected persons and for plurals, add -ଙ୍କର (-ṅkara): ଜେଜେମାଙ୍କର (jejemāṅkara), "Grandmother's"; ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କର (lokamānaṅkara), "the people's" (11.12). The short forms without -ର (ମୋ, ତୁମ, ଆମ, ଆପଣଙ୍କ) are used directly before a noun or postposition: ମୋ ଝିଅ, "my daughter"; ମୋ ପାଖରେ, "near me."
2. The verb agrees with the thing owned. Because the thing owned is the subject, the verb agrees with it and not with the owner:
- ମୋର ଜଣେ ଭାଇ ଅଛନ୍ତି (mora jaṇe bhāi achhanti), "I have a brother." A brother is a person, so the careful form is the plural-honorific ଅଛନ୍ତି, and the counter for people is ଜଣେ (jaṇe), not ଗୋଟିଏ (11.7) - ମୋର ଦୁଇଟି ଗାଈ ଅଛି (mora duiṭi gāi achhi), "I have two cows." Animals and things take ଅଛି, even in the plural (11.6) - In the past, people take ଥିଲେ (thile), things take ଥିଲା (thilā). Section F has ଜଣେ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଙ୍କର ଦୁଇଟି ପୁତ୍ର ଥିଲେ, "a man had two sons"
In everyday speech you will also hear ଅଛି with people (ମୋର ଦୁଇ ଭାଇ ଅଛି). The careful written form is ଅଛନ୍ତି.
3. The existential verb in all persons. ଅଛି belongs to a small irregular verb: present ଅଛ- (achh-), past and future ଥି- (thi-). You need its full forms both for "be (somewhere)" and for the perfect:
- Present: ମୁଁ ଅଛି (muṁ achhi), ତୁ ଅଛୁ (tu achhu), ତୁମେ ଅଛ (tume achha), ସେ ଅଛି (se achhi), ଆପଣ / ସେ (hon.) ଅଛନ୍ତି (achhanti), ଆମେ ଅଛୁ (āme achhu) - Past: ମୁଁ ଥିଲି (thili), ତୁ ଥିଲୁ (thilu), ତୁମେ ଥିଲ (thila), ସେ ଥିଲା (thilā), ଆପଣ ଥିଲେ (thile), ଆମେ ଥିଲୁ (thilu) - Future: ମୁଁ ଥିବି (thibi), ତୁମେ ଥିବ (thiba), ସେ ଥିବ (thiba), ଆପଣ ଥିବେ (thibe) - Negative present: ନାହିଁ (nāhiṁ) for every person - Negative past: ନ ଥିଲା (na thilā), often written together, ନଥିଲା (nathilā)
So "I will have time tomorrow" is କାଲି ମୋର ସମୟ ଥିବ (kāli mora samaya thiba), and "we had no electricity" is ଆମର ବିଜୁଳି ନଥିଲା (āmara bijuḷi nathilā).
Because the verb agrees with the thing owned, a person can be "had" in the second person: ଆମର ତୁମେ ଅଛ (āmara tume achha), "we have you" (of us, you are). You will see this in 11.27.
4. ପାଖରେ for what is on hand. ପାଖରେ (pākhare) is the locative of ପାଖ, "side, keeping." It marks what someone has with them or in their keeping, especially money and small objects: ମୋ ପାଖରେ ଟଙ୍କା ନାହିଁ (11.5), ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ କଲମ ଅଛି କି? (11.8). Compare:
- ମୋର ଗାଡ଼ି ଅଛି: "I own a car" - ମୋ ପାଖରେ ଗାଡ଼ି ଅଛି: "I have a car with me (here, now)"
ପାଖରେ also keeps its plain meaning "near": ପୁରୀ ପାଖରେ (purī pākhare), "near Puri" (11.16). The context tells you which.
5. Kinship, body, illness, feeling. The same genitive pattern covers what English also expresses with "have":
- ମୋର ଦୁଇ ଭଉଣୀ ଅଛନ୍ତି: "I have two sisters" - ମୋ ଝିଅର ଜ୍ୱର ହୋଇଛି (mo jhiara jwara hoichhi): "my daughter has a fever," literally "of my daughter fever has become" (11.11). With illness, Odia uses ହୋଇଛି, "has become," rather than ଅଛି - ତାଙ୍କ ଆଖିରେ ଲୁହ ଥିଲା (tāṅka ākhire luha thilā): "she had tears in her eyes," literally "in her eyes were tears" (11.28)
6. Belonging: the predicative genitive. To say "it is mine, it belonged to him," put the owner in the genitive after the thing: ସେହି ରେଡିଓଟି ମୋ ଜେଜେବାପାଙ୍କର ଥିଲା (sehi reḍioṭi mo jejebāpāṅkara thilā), "that radio was my grandfather's" (11.20).
7. The auxiliary "have": the perfect. Odia forms its perfect from the conjunctive participle in -ଇ (-i) followed by the forms of ଅଛ-, written as one word:
- ମୁଁ ଖାଇଛି (muṁ khāichhi): "I have eaten" - ତୁମେ ଖାଇଛ (tume khāichha): "you have eaten" - ସେ ଖାଇଛି (se khāichhi): "he/she has eaten" - ଆପଣ ଖାଇଛନ୍ତି (āpaṇa khāichhanti): "you (formal) have eaten"
The endings are the endings of ଅଛି in section 3 above. The past perfect, "had done," uses the past of the same verb: ମୁଁ ଖାଇଥିଲି (muṁ khāithili), "I had eaten." Two more points:
- The negative perfect is participle + ନାହିଁ: ସେ ସ୍କୁଲ ଯାଇନାହିଁ (se skula jāināhiṁ), "she has not gone to school" (11.11) - To stress completion, add ସାରିବା (sāribā), "to finish": ମୁଁ ଖାଇସାରିଛି (muṁ khāisārichhi), "I have already eaten"
The Odia perfect is used much as in English: for an action whose result still holds (ପଢ଼ିଛି, "I have read," 11.10), and for a state that began in the past and continues (ଜ୍ୱର ହୋଇଛି, "has had a fever," 11.11).
8. "Have to": obligation. The person who must act goes into the dative (ମୋତେ, ତୁମକୁ, ତାଙ୍କୁ). The action is a verbal noun in -ବାକୁ (-bāku). The verb is ପଡ଼ିବା (paṛibā), "to fall," always in the third person singular:
- ମୋତେ ଯିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିବ (mote jibāku paṛiba): "I will have to go" (11.13) - ମୋତେ ଯିବାକୁ ପଡ଼େ (mote jibāku paṛe): "I have to go (regularly)" - ମୋତେ ଯିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିଲା (mote jibāku paṛilā): "I had to go"
A planned or pending task, "have something to do," uses the genitive verbal noun in -ବାର (-bāra) with ଅଛି: ତୋତେ ଗୋଟିଏ କଥା କହିବାର ଅଛି (tote goṭie kathā kahibāra achhi), "I have something to tell you" (11.23).
9. Questions and word order. A yes/no question adds କି (ki) at the end: ତୁମର ଛତା ଅଛି କି? (11.2). "How many … do you have?" uses କେତେ (kete) or କେତୋଟି (ketoṭi): ତୁମର କେତେ ଭାଇ ଭଉଣୀ? (tumara kete bhāi bhauṇī?), "How many brothers and sisters do you have?" In such questions the verb is often dropped.
Common Mistakes:
- Looking for a verb "to have." There is none. Do not use ପାଇବା (pāibā, "to get") or ରଖିବା (rakhibā, "to keep") for plain possession - Putting the owner in the nominative. Incorrect: ମୁଁ ବହି ଅଛି ("I am a book there"). Correct: ମୋର ବହି ଅଛି - Making the verb agree with the owner. Incorrect: ମୋର ଗାଈ ଅଛନ୍ତି because "I" is speaking. Correct: ମୋର ଗାଈ ଅଛି - Using ଗୋଟିଏ to count people. Use ଜଣେ (jaṇe), "one (person)": ମୋର ଜଣେ ଭାଇ ଅଛନ୍ତି - Forgetting the dative in "have to." Incorrect: ମୁଁ ଯିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିବ. Correct: ମୋତେ ଯିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିବ - Writing ନାହିଁ in the past. "I did not have" is ମୋର … ନଥିଲା, not ମୋର … ନାହିଁ ଥିଲା
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"Of me is": a family trait. Odia shares the "of me X is" pattern with its closest relatives, Bengali and Assamese, and more broadly with many languages of India. Hindi uses a pattern like ପାଖରେ for most owned things: मेरे पास किताब है (mere pās kitāb hai), "near me is a book." Odia uses both, and keeps them apart: the genitive for what you own or are related to, ପାଖରେ for what you have with you. A learner from Hindi should not use ପାଖରେ for everything.
Family questions. In Odisha, as across India, a new acquaintance may soon ask about your family: ଆପଣଙ୍କର କେତେ ପିଲା? (āpaṇaṅkara kete pilā?), "How many children do you have?"; ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଘରେ କିଏ କିଏ ଅଛନ୍ତି? (āpaṇaṅka ghare kie kie achhanti?), "Who is there in your family?" These are friendly questions, not intrusive ones. A short answer with ଅଛନ୍ତି is enough: ମୋର ଜଣେ ପୁଅ ଓ ଜଣେ ଝିଅ ଅଛନ୍ତି, "I have a son and a daughter."
Honour in the genitive. The honorific genitive -ଙ୍କର is used for parents, grandparents, teachers and anyone older or respected, even in their absence: ବାପାଙ୍କର ଦୋକାନ ଅଛି, "Father has a shop." The plain genitive -ର for a respected person sounds rude.
Money talk. ଟଙ୍କା (ṭaṅkā), "rupee, money," is almost always "had" with ପାଖରେ: ପାଖରେ ଟଙ୍କା ନାହିଁ, "I have no money on me," is a phrase found in Odia stories as well as in shops. ମୋର ଟଙ୍କା ନାହିଁ is also correct, but it says more generally that one has no money at all.
Regional variety. Western Odisha (Sambalpuri-Koshli) and the southern districts have their own forms of the existential verb and the genitive. This course teaches the standard coastal Odia of Cuttack, Puri and Bhubaneswar.
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From the Odia Bible, the Gospel of Luke 15:11–12, in the Odia Old Version (re-edited) of the Bible Society of India (© 2014 The Bible Society of India), the edition cited in Lesson 10. This is the opening of the parable of the prodigal son. English says "A certain man had two sons"; Odia has no verb for "had," and says instead ଜଣେ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଙ୍କର ଦୁଇଟି ପୁତ୍ର ଥିଲେ, "of a certain man two sons were." Verse 12 goes on to divide the father's property, and so is full of the language of possession.
11a ସେ he ଆହୁରି further କହିଲେ said ଜଣେ a-certain ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଙ୍କର man's ଦୁଇଟି two ପୁତ୍ର sons ଥିଲେ were
11b se (se) he-3.HON.NOM āhuri (AA-hu-ri) further kahile (KAW-hi-le) said-PST.3.HON jaṇe (JAW-ne) one-CLF.PERSON byaktiṅkara (BYAWK-ting-kaw-raw) person-GEN.HON duiṭi (DU-i-ti) two-CLF putra (PUT-raw) son thile (THI-le) were-EXIST.PST.3.HON
12a ସେମାନଙ୍କ them ମଧ୍ୟରୁ from-among ସାନ younger ପୁଅ son ବାପାଙ୍କୁ to-father କହିଲା said ବାପା father ସମ୍ପତ୍ତିର of-the-property ଯେଉଁ which ଭାଗ share ମୋʼ my ବାଣ୍ଟରେ in-portion ପଡ଼ୁଅଛି is-falling ତାହା that ମୋତେ to-me ଦେଇଦିଅ give ସେଥିରେ thereupon ସେ he ଆପଣାର his-own ସର୍ବସ୍ଵ everything ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ to-them ବାଣ୍ଟିଦେଲେ divided
12b semānaṅka (SE-maa-nawng-kaw) they-3PL.GEN madhyaru (MAWDH-yaw-ru) middle-ABL=from-among sāna (SAA-naw) younger pua (PU-aw) son bāpāṅku (BAA-paang-ku) father-DAT.HON kahilā (KAW-hi-laa) said-PST.3SG bāpā (BAA-paa) father-VOC sampattira (SAWM-pawt-ti-raw) property-GEN jeuṁ (JE-ũ) which-REL bhāga (BHAA-gaw) share mo' (mo) my-1SG.GEN.SHORT bāṇṭare (BAAN-taw-re) portion-LOC paṛuachhi (PAW-ru-aw-chhi) fall-PROG.3SG.ARCHAIC tāhā (TAA-haa) it/that-CORREL mote (MO-te) I-1SG.DAT deidia (DE-i-di-aw) give-CVB-give-IMP.2.INFORMAL sethire (SE-thi-re) that-INAN.OBL-LOC=thereupon se (se) he-3.HON.NOM āpaṇāra (AA-paw-naa-raw) self-GEN=his-own sarbaswa (SAWR-baws-waw) all-property semānaṅku (SE-maa-nawng-ku) they-3PL.DAT bāṇṭidele (BAAN-ti-de-le) divide-CVB-give-PST.3.HON
ସେ ଆହୁରି କହିଲେ, ଜଣେ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଙ୍କର ଦୁଇଟି ପୁତ୍ର ଥିଲେ। ସେମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ସାନ ପୁଅ ବାପାଙ୍କୁ କହିଲା, ବାପା, ସମ୍ପତ୍ତିର ଯେଉଁ ଭାଗ ମୋʼ ବାଣ୍ଟରେ ପଡ଼ୁଅଛି, ତାହା ମୋତେ ଦେଇଦିଅ। ସେଥିରେ ସେ ଆପଣାର ସର୍ବସ୍ଵ ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ବାଣ୍ଟିଦେଲେ।
And he said further, "A certain man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And so he divided all that he had between them."
ସେ ଆହୁରି କହିଲେ, ଜଣେ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଙ୍କର ଦୁଇଟି ପୁତ୍ର ଥିଲେ। ସେମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ସାନ ପୁଅ ବାପାଙ୍କୁ କହିଲା, ବାପା, ସମ୍ପତ୍ତିର ଯେଉଁ ଭାଗ ମୋʼ ବାଣ୍ଟରେ ପଡ଼ୁଅଛି, ତାହା ମୋତେ ଦେଇଦିଅ। ସେଥିରେ ସେ ଆପଣାର ସର୍ବସ୍ଵ ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ବାଣ୍ଟିଦେଲେ।
ଜଣେ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଙ୍କର ଦୁଇଟି ପୁତ୍ର ଥିଲେ (jaṇe byaktiṅkara duiṭi putra thile), "a certain man had two sons." This sentence is the lesson in five words. The owner, ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି (byakti, "person, man"), is in the honorific genitive -ଙ୍କର. The things "had," ଦୁଇଟି ପୁତ୍ର, "two sons," are the subject. The verb ଥିଲେ is the past of ଅଛି, and it is plural-honorific because it agrees with the sons, who are persons (Section D, rule 2). The man is counted with ଜଣେ, the counter for people. Another Odia translation, in plainer modern language, keeps the same construction: ଜଣେ ଲୋକର ଦୁଇ ପୁଅ ଥିଲେ (jaṇe lokara dui pua thile). Two translations of the same verse make the same choice, which shows how fixed the pattern is.
ପୁତ୍ର and ପୁଅ. Verse 11 uses the Sanskrit ପୁତ୍ର (putra); verse 12 changes to the everyday ପୁଅ (pua), the word you will use. Both mean "son."
ଆପଣାର ସର୍ବସ୍ଵ (āpaṇāra sarbaswa), "his own everything." ଆପଣାର is the reflexive genitive, "one's own," and ସର୍ବସ୍ଵ (sarbaswa) is literally "all one's own," that is, "all that one has." English needs "all that he had"; Odia names the possession as a noun, and needs no verb "have."
ମୋʼ ବାଣ୍ଟରେ ପଡ଼ୁଅଛି (mo' bāṇṭare paṛuachhi), "(which) falls in my portion." Notice ପଡ଼ିବା, "to fall," the verb of "have to" (Section D, rule 8), here in its literal sense: a share of the property "falls" to the son. ପଡ଼ୁଅଛି is the older written form of the progressive; modern Odia writes ପଡ଼ୁଛି (paṛuchhi). It shows plainly that the progressive, like the perfect, is built on ଅଛି.
ସେଥିରେ (sethire), "thereupon," is the inanimate stem ସେଥି- with the locative, as in Lesson 10.
Script note. This edition spells ସର୍ବସ୍ଵ with ଵ (va); modern typing often has ସର୍ବସ୍ୱ, with ୱ (wa). The mark after ମୋ is an apostrophe of elision: ମୋʼ stands for ମୋର. The quotation keeps the edition's spelling.
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A grandchild remembers a visit to their grandmother's house near Puri. The narrative is told in the past, with the grandmother's words in the present.
11.16a ମୋ my ଜେଜେମାଙ୍କର grandmother's ପୁରୀ Puri ପାଖରେ near ଗୋଟିଏ a ଛୋଟ small ଘର house ଅଛି is
11.16b mo (mo) my-1SG.GEN.SHORT jejemāṅkara (JE-je-maang-kaw-raw) grandmother-GEN.HON purī (PU-ree) Puri pākhare (PAA-khaw-re) side-LOC=near goṭie (GO-ti-e) one-CLF=a chhoṭa (CHHO-taw) small ghara (GHAW-raw) house achhi (AW-chhi) is-EXIST.3SG
11.17a ଘର house ସାମ୍ନାରେ in-front ଗୋଟିଏ a ନଡ଼ିଆ coconut ଗଛ tree ଅଛି is
11.17b ghara (GHAW-raw) house sāmnāre (SAAM-naa-re) front-LOC=in-front-of goṭie (GO-ti-e) one-CLF=a naṛiā (NAW-ri-aa) coconut gachha (GAW-chhaw) tree achhi (AW-chhi) is-EXIST.3SG
11.18a ଜେଜେମାଙ୍କର grandmother's ଦୁଇଟି two ଗାଈ cows ଓ and କେତୋଟି a-few କୁକୁଡ଼ା hens ଅଛି are
11.18b jejemāṅkara (JE-je-maang-kaw-raw) grandmother-GEN.HON duiṭi (DU-i-ti) two-CLF gāi (GAA-i) cow o (o) and ketoṭi (KE-to-ti) how-many-CLF=a-few kukuṛā (KU-ku-raa) hen achhi (AW-chhi) is-EXIST.3SG
11.19a ତାଙ୍କର her ଟିଭି TV ନାହିଁ is-not କିନ୍ତୁ but ଗୋଟିଏ a ପୁରୁଣା old ରେଡିଓ radio ଅଛି is
11.19b tāṅkara (TAANG-kaw-raw) she-3.HON.GEN ṭibhi (TI-bhi) television nāhiṁ (NAA-hĩ) not-exist-NEG.EXIST kintu (KIN-tu) but goṭie (GO-ti-e) one-CLF=a puruṇā (PU-ru-naa) old reḍio (RE-di-o) radio achhi (AW-chhi) is-EXIST.3SG
11.20a ସେହି that ରେଡିଓଟି the-radio ମୋ my ଜେଜେବାପାଙ୍କର grandfather's ଥିଲା was
11.20b sehi (SE-hi) that-DEM.ADJ reḍioṭi (RE-di-o-ti) radio-CLF.DEF mo (mo) my-1SG.GEN.SHORT jejebāpāṅkara (JE-je-baa-paang-kaw-raw) grandfather-GEN.HON thilā (THI-laa) was-EXIST.PST.3SG
11.21a ଜେଜେବାପାଙ୍କର grandfather's ବହୁତ many ବହି books ଥିଲା was ଆଉ and ସେସବୁ all-those ଏବେ now ବି still ଘରେ in-house ଅଛି is
11.21b jejebāpāṅkara (JE-je-baa-paang-kaw-raw) grandfather-GEN.HON bahuta (BAW-hu-taw) many bahi (BAW-hi) book thilā (THI-laa) was-EXIST.PST.3SG āu (AA-u) and sesabu (SE-saw-bu) that-all=all-those ebe (E-be) now bi (bi) also=still ghare (GHAW-re) house-LOC achhi (AW-chhi) is-EXIST.3SG
11.22a ମୁଁ I ପିଲାଦିନରୁ since-childhood ଅନେକ many ଥର times ସେଠାକୁ there ଯାଇଛି have-gone
11.22b muṁ (mũ) I-1SG.NOM pilādinaru (PI-laa-di-naw-ru) childhood-ABL=since-childhood aneka (AW-ne-kaw) many thara (THAW-raw) time seṭhāku (SE-thaa-ku) there-DAT=to-there jāichhi (JAA-i-chhi) go-PRF.1SG
11.23a ଏଥର this-time ଜେଜେମା grandmother କହିଲେ said ତୋତେ to-you ଗୋଟିଏ a କଥା thing କହିବାର to-tell ଅଛି is
11.23b ethara (E-thaw-raw) this-time jejemā (JE-je-maa) grandmother kahile (KAW-hi-le) said-PST.3.HON tote (TO-te) you-2.INTIMATE.DAT goṭie (GO-ti-e) one-CLF=a kathā (KAW-thaa) word=matter kahibāra (KAW-hi-baa-raw) tell-VN-GEN achhi (AW-chhi) is-EXIST.3SG
11.24a ମୋର my ଏବେ now ଆଉ more ବେଶି much ବଳ strength ନାହିଁ is-not
11.24b mora (MO-raw) my-1SG.GEN ebe (E-be) now āu (AA-u) more=any-more beśi (BE-shi) much baḷa (BAW-law) strength nāhiṁ (NAA-hĩ) not-exist-NEG.EXIST
11.25a ମୋର my ଏହି this ଘର house ଛଡ଼ା except ଆଉ other କିଛି anything ନାହିଁ is-not
11.25b mora (MO-raw) my-1SG.GEN ehi (E-hi) this-DEM.ADJ ghara (GHAW-raw) house chhaṛā (CHHAW-raa) except-POSTP āu (AA-u) other kichhi (KI-chhi) anything nāhiṁ (NAA-hĩ) not-exist-NEG.EXIST
11.26a ମୁଁ I ଚାହେଁ want ତୋ your ପିଲାମାନଙ୍କର children's ବି too ଏଠାରେ here ଗୋଟିଏ a ଘର house ଥାଉ may-be
11.26b muṁ (mũ) I-1SG.NOM cāheṁ (CHAA-hẽ) want-PRES.1SG to (to) you-2.INTIMATE.GEN.SHORT pilāmānaṅkara (PI-laa-maa-nawng-kaw-raw) child-PL-GEN bi (bi) also eṭhāre (E-thaa-re) here-LOC goṭie (GO-ti-e) one-CLF=a ghara (GHAW-raw) house thāu (THAA-u) be-OPT.3SG=let-there-be
11.27a ମୁଁ I କହିଲି said ଜେଜେମା grandmother ଆମର our ତୁମେ you ଅଛ are ସେଇଟା that ହିଁ alone ଯଥେଷ୍ଟ enough
11.27b muṁ (mũ) I-1SG.NOM kahili (KAW-hi-li) said-PST.1SG jejemā (JE-je-maa) grandmother-VOC āmara (AA-maw-raw) we-1PL.GEN tume (TU-me) you-2.INFORMAL.NOM achha (AW-chhaw) are-EXIST.2.INFORMAL seiṭā (SE-i-taa) that-CLF=that-one hiṁ (hĩ) EMPH=alone jatheṣṭa (JAW-thesh-taw) enough
11.28a ଜେଜେମା grandmother ହସିଲେ smiled ହେଲେ but ତାଙ୍କ her ଆଖିରେ in-eyes ଲୁହ tears ଥିଲା was
11.28b jejemā (JE-je-maa) grandmother hasile (HAW-si-le) smile-PST.3.HON hele (HE-le) but tāṅka (TAANG-kaw) she-3.HON.GEN.SHORT ākhire (AA-khi-re) eye-LOC luha (LU-haw) tear thilā (THI-laa) was-EXIST.PST.3SG
11.29a ସେଦିନ that-day ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟାରେ in-the-evening ଆମ our ପାଖରେ near କେବଳ only ଗୋଟିଏ a ଲଣ୍ଠନ lantern ଥିଲା was କାରଣ because ବିଜୁଳି electricity ନଥିଲା was-not
11.29b sedina (SE-di-naw) that-day sandhyāre (SAWN-dhyaa-re) evening-LOC āma (AA-maw) we-1PL.GEN.SHORT pākhare (PAA-khaw-re) side-LOC=with kebaḷa (KE-baw-law) only goṭie (GO-ti-e) one-CLF=a laṇṭhana (LAWN-thaw-naw) lantern thilā (THI-laa) was-EXIST.PST.3SG kāraṇa (KAA-raw-naw) because bijuḷi (BI-ju-li) electricity nathilā (NAW-thi-laa) not-was-NEG.EXIST.PST.3SG
11.30a ତଥାପି yet ମୋତେ to-me ମନେ in-mind ହେଲା became ଆମର our ସବୁକିଛି everything ଅଛି is
11.30b tathāpi (TAW-thaa-pi) nevertheless mote (MO-te) I-1SG.DAT mane (MAW-ne) mind-LOC helā (HE-laa) become-PST.3SG=it-seemed āmara (AA-maw-raw) we-1PL.GEN sabukichhi (SAW-bu-ki-chhi) all-something=everything achhi (AW-chhi) is-EXIST.3SG
11.16 ମୋ ଜେଜେମାଙ୍କର ପୁରୀ ପାଖରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଛୋଟ ଘର ଅଛି। (mo jejemāṅkara purī pākhare goṭie chhoṭa ghara achhi.) My grandmother has a small house near Puri.
11.17 ଘର ସାମ୍ନାରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ନଡ଼ିଆ ଗଛ ଅଛି। (ghara sāmnāre goṭie naṛiā gachha achhi.) In front of the house there is a coconut tree.
11.18 ଜେଜେମାଙ୍କର ଦୁଇଟି ଗାଈ ଓ କେତୋଟି କୁକୁଡ଼ା ଅଛି। (jejemāṅkara duiṭi gāi o ketoṭi kukuṛā achhi.) Grandmother has two cows and a few hens.
11.19 ତାଙ୍କର ଟିଭି ନାହିଁ, କିନ୍ତୁ ଗୋଟିଏ ପୁରୁଣା ରେଡିଓ ଅଛି। (tāṅkara ṭibhi nāhiṁ, kintu goṭie puruṇā reḍio achhi.) She has no television, but she has an old radio.
11.20 ସେହି ରେଡିଓଟି ମୋ ଜେଜେବାପାଙ୍କର ଥିଲା। (sehi reḍioṭi mo jejebāpāṅkara thilā.) That radio was my grandfather's.
11.21 ଜେଜେବାପାଙ୍କର ବହୁତ ବହି ଥିଲା, ଆଉ ସେସବୁ ଏବେ ବି ଘରେ ଅଛି। (jejebāpāṅkara bahuta bahi thilā, āu sesabu ebe bi ghare achhi.) Grandfather had a great many books, and they are all still in the house.
11.22 ମୁଁ ପିଲାଦିନରୁ ଅନେକ ଥର ସେଠାକୁ ଯାଇଛି। (muṁ pilādinaru aneka thara seṭhāku jāichhi.) I have been there many times since I was a child.
11.23 ଏଥର ଜେଜେମା କହିଲେ, "ତୋତେ ଗୋଟିଏ କଥା କହିବାର ଅଛି।" (ethara jejemā kahile, "tote goṭie kathā kahibāra achhi.") This time Grandmother said, "I have something to tell you."
11.24 "ମୋର ଏବେ ଆଉ ବେଶି ବଳ ନାହିଁ।" ("mora ebe āu beśi baḷa nāhiṁ.") "I don't have much strength any more."
11.25 "ମୋର ଏହି ଘର ଛଡ଼ା ଆଉ କିଛି ନାହିଁ।" ("mora ehi ghara chhaṛā āu kichhi nāhiṁ.") "I have nothing but this house."
11.26 "ମୁଁ ଚାହେଁ, ତୋ ପିଲାମାନଙ୍କର ବି ଏଠାରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଘର ଥାଉ।" ("muṁ cāheṁ, to pilāmānaṅkara bi eṭhāre goṭie ghara thāu.") "I want your children to have a home here too."
11.27 ମୁଁ କହିଲି, "ଜେଜେମା, ଆମର ତୁମେ ଅଛ, ସେଇଟା ହିଁ ଯଥେଷ୍ଟ।" (muṁ kahili, "jejemā, āmara tume achha, seiṭā hiṁ jatheṣṭa.") I said, "Grandma, we have you, and that is enough."
11.28 ଜେଜେମା ହସିଲେ, ହେଲେ ତାଙ୍କ ଆଖିରେ ଲୁହ ଥିଲା। (jejemā hasile, hele tāṅka ākhire luha thilā.) Grandmother smiled, but she had tears in her eyes.
11.29 ସେଦିନ ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟାରେ ଆମ ପାଖରେ କେବଳ ଗୋଟିଏ ଲଣ୍ଠନ ଥିଲା, କାରଣ ବିଜୁଳି ନଥିଲା। (sedina sandhyāre āma pākhare kebaḷa goṭie laṇṭhana thilā, kāraṇa bijuḷi nathilā.) That evening we had only one lantern, because there was no electricity.
11.30 ତଥାପି ମୋତେ ମନେ ହେଲା, ଆମର ସବୁକିଛି ଅଛି। (tathāpi mote mane helā, āmara sabukichhi achhi.) Even so, it seemed to me that we had everything.
11.16 ମୋ ଜେଜେମାଙ୍କର ପୁରୀ ପାଖରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଛୋଟ ଘର ଅଛି।
11.17 ଘର ସାମ୍ନାରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ନଡ଼ିଆ ଗଛ ଅଛି।
11.18 ଜେଜେମାଙ୍କର ଦୁଇଟି ଗାଈ ଓ କେତୋଟି କୁକୁଡ଼ା ଅଛି।
11.19 ତାଙ୍କର ଟିଭି ନାହିଁ, କିନ୍ତୁ ଗୋଟିଏ ପୁରୁଣା ରେଡିଓ ଅଛି।
11.20 ସେହି ରେଡିଓଟି ମୋ ଜେଜେବାପାଙ୍କର ଥିଲା।
11.21 ଜେଜେବାପାଙ୍କର ବହୁତ ବହି ଥିଲା, ଆଉ ସେସବୁ ଏବେ ବି ଘରେ ଅଛି।
11.22 ମୁଁ ପିଲାଦିନରୁ ଅନେକ ଥର ସେଠାକୁ ଯାଇଛି।
11.23 ଏଥର ଜେଜେମା କହିଲେ, "ତୋତେ ଗୋଟିଏ କଥା କହିବାର ଅଛି।"
11.24 "ମୋର ଏବେ ଆଉ ବେଶି ବଳ ନାହିଁ।"
11.25 "ମୋର ଏହି ଘର ଛଡ଼ା ଆଉ କିଛି ନାହିଁ।"
11.26 "ମୁଁ ଚାହେଁ, ତୋ ପିଲାମାନଙ୍କର ବି ଏଠାରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଘର ଥାଉ।"
11.27 ମୁଁ କହିଲି, "ଜେଜେମା, ଆମର ତୁମେ ଅଛ, ସେଇଟା ହିଁ ଯଥେଷ୍ଟ।"
11.28 ଜେଜେମା ହସିଲେ, ହେଲେ ତାଙ୍କ ଆଖିରେ ଲୁହ ଥିଲା।
11.29 ସେଦିନ ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟାରେ ଆମ ପାଖରେ କେବଳ ଗୋଟିଏ ଲଣ୍ଠନ ଥିଲା, କାରଣ ବିଜୁଳି ନଥିଲା।
11.30 ତଥାପି ମୋତେ ମନେ ହେଲା, ଆମର ସବୁକିଛି ଅଛି।
Tense in the story. The narrator describes the house as it still is, in the present (ଅଛି, 11.16–11.19), and then remembers one evening in the past (ଥିଲା, ନଥିଲା, 11.28–11.29). In 11.30 the Odia goes back to ଅଛି inside reported thought: "it seemed to me: we have everything." Odia keeps the tense of the thought as it was thought; English shifts it to "we had."
Every kind of "have." The narrative uses the main types in Section D:
- Genitive + ଅଛି / ନାହିଁ / ଥିଲା for ownership: 11.16, 11.18, 11.19, 11.21, 11.24, 11.25 - ପାଖରେ for what is on hand: 11.29. Note that in 11.16 ପାଖରେ means simply "near (Puri)" - The predicative genitive, "belonged to": 11.20 - The perfect with ଅଛି: ଯାଇଛି, "I have gone" (11.22) - -ବାର ଅଛି, "have (something) to do": 11.23 - The optative ଥାଉ, "may there be," with a genitive owner: "that your children may have a home" (11.26) - The negative past ନଥିଲା: 11.29
Agreement with the thing possessed. In 11.27 the grandchild says ଆମର ତୁମେ ଅଛ, "of us you are": the verb ଅଛ is second person because the one "had" is "you." This is the rule of Section D at its clearest. Compare 11.18, where cows and hens take plain ଅଛି.
Forms of address. The grandmother calls her grandchild ତୁ (ତୋତେ, ତୋ, 11.23, 11.26), the intimate pronoun used to a grandchild of any age. The grandchild answers with the affectionate ତୁମେ (11.27). In the narration the grandmother is always honorific: ଜେଜେମାଙ୍କର, କହିଲେ, ହସିଲେ, ତାଙ୍କ.
ପାଖରେ in the lantern sentence. ଆମ ପାଖରେ … ଲଣ୍ଠନ ଥିଲା (11.29) means "we had a lantern (with us, to hand)," not "we owned a lantern." ବିଜୁଳି ନଥିଲା, "there was no electricity," has no owner at all: Odia uses the same verb for "have" and "there is."
Useful words. ଛଡ଼ା (chhaṛā), "except, apart from," follows its noun (11.25). ହିଁ (hiṁ) is an emphatic particle, "only, just, indeed" (11.27). ମନେ ହେବା (mane hebā), "to seem," takes the dative: ମୋତେ ମନେ ହେଲା, "it seemed to me" (11.30).
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Respelling key. As in Lesson 10: capitals mark the syllable to stress lightly (usually the first). "aw" is the Odia inherent vowel ଅ [ɔ], as in English law. "aa" is ଆ [aː], as in father. A tilde (õ, ĩ, ũ, ẽ) marks a nasal vowel, written with the candrabindu ଁ.
The key forms:
- ଅଛି (achhi) [ɔtʃʰi]: "AW-chhi." The first vowel is the rounded [ɔ], not English a. ଛ is an aspirated ch with a strong puff of breath - ଅଛନ୍ତି (achhanti) [ɔtʃʰɔnt̪i]: "AW-chhawn-ti," with a dental t - ଥିଲା (thilā) [t̪ʰilaː], ଥିଲେ (thile) [t̪ʰile]: aspirated dental th, not the English "th" of thin - ନାହିଁ (nāhiṁ) [naːhĩ], ନଥିଲା (nathilā) [nɔt̪ʰilaː] - ପାଖରେ (pākhare) [paːkʰɔɾe]: aspirated kh, then a tapped r - ମୋର (mora) [moɾɔ]: the final inherent vowel is sounded - ଖାଇଛି (khāichhi) [kʰaːitʃʰi], ପଢ଼ିଛି (paṛhichhi) [pɔɽʱitʃʰi] - ପଡ଼ିବ (paṛiba) [pɔɽibɔ]: the flap ଡ଼, then a final [ɔ] - ଜ୍ୱର (jwara) [dʒwɔɾɔ]: the ୱ after ଜ is a light w
Sounds absent from English:
- Aspirated ଛ against plain ଚ. ଅଛି [ɔtʃʰi] has a breathy chh; ଚାବି [tʃaːbi] has a plain ch with no puff. Hold a sheet of paper before your mouth: it should move for ଛ and hardly for ଚ. - The flaps ଡ଼ and ଢ଼. ପଡ଼ିବ [pɔɽibɔ] has the flap [ɽ]; ପଢ଼ିଛି [pɔɽʱitʃʰi] has its breathy partner [ɽʱ]. Curl the tongue back and flick it forward. - The retroflex lateral ଳ. ସକାଳେ [sɔkaːɭe], ବଳ [bɔɭɔ], ବିଜୁଳି [bidʒuɭi]: an l made with the tongue curled back. Keep it apart from the plain ଲ of ଥିଲା. - ଯ as j. In Odia ଯ is pronounced like ଜ: ଯିବାକୁ [dʒibaːku], ଯଥେଷ୍ଟ [dʒɔt̪ʰeʂʈɔ]. - ଧୈର୍ଯ୍ୟ (dhairya) [d̪ʱɔirdʒjɔ]: the vowel sign ୈ is the diphthong [ɔi], and ର୍ଯ୍ୟ is a cluster of r + j + y. Say "DHOI-rjaw."
Intonation. Possessive statements fall at the end: ମୋର ଗୋଟିଏ ବହି ଅଛି. A yes/no question with କି rises on the particle: ତୁମର ଛତା ଅଛି କି? In 11.15 the two halves of the saying are balanced: a slight rise on the first ଅଛି, a fall on the second.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
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Course Index: [latinum.substack.com/p/index](https://latinum.substack.com/p/index)