U N I T 1

How to make a Coptic sentence :

A sentence requires a subject and a verb. The subject that carries out the
action can be a noun or pronoun.
(1) VERBS

Verbs given here can be used in the imperative form, that is to make
a request or to give an order.

: oc sit ( haemsi ) o_ go - walk ( moshi )

take ( chi ) ca-: o listen ( soataem )

-ao eat ( ou - woam ) c a drink ( soa )

_i+i pray ( eshleel ) `c o- bless ( esmou )

cs speak ( saji ) a_ read ( oash )

-a_- kneel - worship ou-woasht -_- look ( gousht )


(2) NOUNS

Nouns are used as subjects or objects. In Coptic, nouns are either masculine
or feminine. We shall start with masculine nouns. The best way to tell the
gender of a noun is to identify its definite article. a is the most commonly
used definite article for masculine nouns.

a ,ao the man a --c the chair

(1)



The indefinite article is - , which is a in English. - is taken by
both masculine and feminine nouns.

-,ao a man (ou - roami ) a ,ao the man

-si- a boy ( ou - alou ) a si- the boy

--+s a priest ( ou - ou - weep ) a -+s the priest

-: ,): a sanctuary ( ou - aer - faey ) a : ,): the sanctunary
-z ssaa a deacon ( ou - thyakoan) a z ssaa the deacon
---c a chair ( ou - tots ) a --c the chair
-isc people ( ou - la - wos ) a isc the people
-os a place ( ou - ma ) a os the place
-os : -ss a holy place ( ou - ma aef - ou- wab )
-os a-_- : si waiting area ( ou - ma - en - gousht aevol )
-ss a land - floor ( ou - kahi ) a ss the land - floor
-,+ a sun ( ou - ree ) a ,+ the sun
ks ,+ , ks ,s; ( Kahi - ree/ra ) Cairo ( land of the sun )

(3) PREPOSITION
This is a word often placed before a noun or pronoun to show direction, place,
source,.etc. (e g in, from, at ). An object separated from a verb by a preposition
is known as indirect object .
(2)


-: a in - by ( khaen ) : to ( aeh )
: : a : a on (aejaen - hijaen) _s until ( sha )
ac s towards ( en - sa ) a: o with - and ( naem )

The following sentences are made up of a verb in the imperative form, a preposition
and an indirect object .

cs a: o a ,ao Speak with the man.
o_ a: o a si- Walk with the boy.
_i+i a: o a -+s Pray with the priest.
: oc : a a --c Sit on the chair.
: oc : a a ss Sit on the floor.
_i+i -: a a : ,): Pray in the sanctuary.
-ao -: a a os a-_- : si Eat in the waiting area.


GENERAL PRACTICE

asa: good ( nanae )
asa: -- good morning ( nanae to - ou -wi )

(3)


asa: ,- good evening ( nanae rou - hi )
asa: : os_a very good ( nanae - ae - mashoa )
s, o- please ( do ). ( ari - eh - mot )
s, o- c a please drink. ( ari - eh -mot soa )
s, o- -ao please eat. ( ari - eh - mot ou - woam )
` a` o- please ( en-eh-mot )

oa: , do not ( empaer ) siis but ( alla )

oa: ,c s siis ca-: o. Do not speak but listen.
oa: ,o_ siis : oc . Do not go but sit down.
oa: ,: oc : a a ss siis : oc : a
a --c . Do not sit on the floor but sit on the chair.

RELIGIOUS APPLICATION
ca-: o : ,a* hear us `c o- : ,a bless us s,: : ,a preserve us
c o- : , *, a ,+ a: o a
Bless Him, the sun and the moon ( esmou aerof pi - ree naem pi - yoh )
_______________________________________________________
(*) : , , : ,s, : ,, : ,, : ,c, : ,a .. object pronouns indicate me, you, you (fem), him, her, us ..
to be explained at a later stage.
(4)


U N I T 2


(1) SPECIAL DEFINITE ARTICLES
We have learned the definite article a is used for singular masculine nouns.
In this unit, two special definite masculine articles are presented: ` and `!.
These are frequently used for sing. masculine nouns of particular importance
in religious texts.

) a- the father ( ef - yoat ) `),sa the name ( ef - ran )
)a-} (the) God (ef - nou - ti) `),+ the sun ( ef - ree )
)as the sin ( ef - novi ) `a+ the house ( ep - ee )
a c the lord ( ep - choys ) `a-, the king ( ep - ou - ro )
a_+, the son ( ep - sheeri ) `ass the land ( ep - ka - hi )

The student will be familiar with these special articles in the course of his or her
study, and through attendance of church service.However, many other religious
words take the usual masculine article a .

u , c -c O \ M G # (the) Christ ( pi - ekhristos )
a sv c O \ M G # the saint (masc.) ( pi - agyos )
(5)


a : -svv: i a O \ M G # the bible ( pi - aev - an - gael - yon )
a aa: -os : -ss the Holy Spirit ( pi-ep-naev-ma aeth-ou- wab )


(2) DIRECT OBJECT
An object is a noun or noun - equivalent, governed by a verb. The indirect object,
as we learned, is separated from the verb by a preposition. A direct object is acted
upon by transitive verb. In Coptic, such object is separated from the commonly
used verbs by one of these articles " # " % " & These
articles are called object signs .



A - Some verbs take the object sign `'

_s, hit - smack ( shari ) s,: keep - study ( araeh )

ac praise ( hoas ) `c o- bless ( esmou )

ca-: o listen - hear ( soateam ) touch ( choh )

as- see ( nav ) -_- look ( gousht )

_ai: o smell ( shoalaem ) : oo overcome ( jaemgom )


EXAMPLES

c o- : !a-} Bless (the) God . ( esmou ae ef - nou - ti )


(6)



ac : a c Praise the Lord . ( hoas ae ep - choys )

-_- : a si- Look ( at ) the boy. ( gousht ae pi - alou )

ca-: o : a _i+i Listen ( to ) the prayer ( soataem ae pi - esh - leel )

s,: : a a_ Study the lesson . ( araeh - ae - pi - oash )

_ai: o : a s: ,- Smell the rose ( shoalaem - ae - pi - vaert )



B - All other verbs take the object sign ` & or " %

a ---c Take a chair. ( chi - en - ou - tots )

ca a -oa- Drink water. ( soa - en - ou - moa - ou )

cs a }o: -,: o ay+o
Speak (the) Coptic. ( saji - en - ti - maet- raem - en - keemi )
-ao a s Eat meat . ( ou - woam en af )

*` o is used instead of ` a when a noun ( usually its article ) starts with:
o , ) , s or |(ps)


EXAMPLES

o a --c Take the chair. ( chi em pi tots )

_i+i o )a-} Pray ( to ) God ( eshleel em efnou - ti )

-a_- o a c Worship the Lord. ( ou -woasht em ep - choys )

cs} o a os Prepare the place. ( sovti em pi - ma )



(7)


(3) OTHER USES FOR ` o & ` a
% and `a are used to join noun to a noun, adjective to a noun and number
to a noun.

(1) Joining noun to a related noun.
),sa o ) a- the name of the father ( efran em ef - yoat )
a -+s o a : ,): the priest of the sanctury ( pi-ou-weep em pi-erfaey )
a oa- o ) o the water of the sea ( pi- moa - ou em efyom )

(2) Joining noun to an adjective.
a ,ao a c ss: the wise man ( pi - roami en savae )
-a-} a -a- one God ( ou - nouti en ou - woat )
a ao o s: , the new book ( pi - goam em vaeri )
a+ a sasc the old house ( ep - ee en apas )
-aa- a : a: an eternal life ( ou - oankh en aenaeh )

(3) Join numbers to nouns
When `o and `a are used to join a number to a noun, the noun remains
singular. (In English the noun following a number must be in plural. e.g. five boys.)


(8)


_o- a si- three boys ( shomt en - alou )
c- a : - six days ( so - ou en eho - ou )
_s_ a ca seven times ( shashf en sop )
o+- a ,ao ten men ( meet en roami )
_: a ,oa hundred years ( shae en rompi )

GENERAL PRACTICE
: oc oas - -_- : si
Sit here and wait. ( haemsi emnay ou-woh gousht aevol )
: oc acs a ys+- - -_- : a - , Sit towards the
window and watch the street. (haemsi ensa pi-ka-thiy-you ou-woh gousht ae pikhir)
oa: , : a ao o s: , a Q: a-zs Do not touch
Shenoudas new book. (empaer - choh ae pi-goam em vaeri en shenouda)
o a --c a sasc : si oas .
Take the old chair out of here . ( chi em pi - tots en apas aevol emnay )
o: o a _+, o a : _: a ,: ooso: - c o ),+} o
a _+,
o a : _: a , c- sac .
Love the son of the Moslem neighbour like the son of the Christian neighbour.
( maey em pi - sheeri em pi - thae-shae en rae-ma-maetyos em-ef-reeti em pisheeri em
pi thae-shae an ekhristyanos )

(9)


o-} : a _o- a si-. Call the three boys ( mouti ae pi-shomt en-alou)
o-} : a ai+c # ayai: o - -_- : si. Call the
police quickly and wait. (mouti ae pi-polees en-koalaem ouw-woh gousht aevol)


RELIGIOUS APPLICATION
-: a ),sa o ) a- a: o a_+, a: o a aa: -os : -ss
-a-} a -a- so+a.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit ( the ) one God, amen
(khaen ef-ran em efioat naem ep-sheeri naem pi-ep-naevma aeth-ouw-wab ou-nouti
en ouw-woat)
a _o- a si- a sv c The three saint boys .
( pi-shomt en alou en agyos)
)a+s a c )a-} a asa-s,s-a,
the Master the Lord the God the Almighty (One who controls all )
( efneeb epchoys efnouti pi-pan-tok-ratoar )
a-+sc o a c aos a: , *; a ssi
The lamp of the body is the eye. ( ep-kheebs em pi-soama pae pi-val )
______________________________________________________
* a: verb to be, is, for single masculine nouns. # symbol of newly introduced words like police

(10)


v o c a b u l a r y

) o the sea (ef-yom) a oa- (pi-moa-ou) the water
+o Egypt (keemi) ,: o ay+o (raem-en.) Egyptian
}o: -,: o ay+o the Egyptian ( Coptic ) language
a s the meat (pi-af) a : - (pi-eho-ou) the day
oas here (em-nay) a c a (pi-sop) the time
as: c a again (enkaesop) -+, ac a how many times
s: another (kaeh) -s: ,ao another man (oukaer.)
a ys+-the window (kathiyou) a - , the street (pi-khir)
a ao the book (pi-goam) s: , new ( vaeri )
sasc old (apas) a : _: the neighbour pi-thae-shae
a : a: the eternity (pi-aenaeh) _s : a: for ever (sha aenaeh)
-s one (ouw-way) `c as- two (esnav)
_o- three (shomt) `-- four (eftou)
- - five (et-you) c - six (so-ou)
_s_ seven (shashf) _o+a eight (eshmeen)
+ - nine (psit) o+- ten (meet)
o+--s eleven (meet-ouw-way) o+- cas- twelve (meet-es-nav)

(11)



-_- : si wait (gousht aevol) o ),+} o like (em-ef-reeti em)
` , c - sac O\M G# Christian ,: ooso: - c Moslem
(ekh-ris-tyanos) (raem-ma-maet-yos)
asa O \ M G / E pr# the whole (world) asasv s G of whole holiness
asa-s,s-,, sc ; G Almighty asa,sos G \ Int panorama
a -+sc the lamp (pi-kheebs) a isoas, c ; G \ Int \AA the lamp
a c aos O \ M G \ Int # the body a ssi AA the eye (pi-val)
o: to love . love (maey)

SPECIAL USAGE
}_: a o-* , a--s, a-} , a-: a+a- **;
Thank you (sing. masc., sing. fem., plural) (tishaep-ehmot entotk, entoti, entaen-theenou )
a_: a o- thanks (en-shaep-ehmot) ooa i Do not mention. Emmon ehli
} ,+a+ , ass, a: , aa-: a. ; Peace to you. (ti-hireeni nak \ nae\ noataen )
-s = Bye-bye cheer you (ougay). "to reply" : -: a --s
_s ,sc }, c s,sc} See you tomorrow \ after tomorrow. (sha rasti \ sarasti)
___________________________________________________________________
# newly introduced words,or words of Greek origin. G Greek, OG old Greek, MG modern Greek,
AA used in colloquial Arabic I nt internationally used . * }_: a o- is made of, } pronoun for I
(# a simple form of verb accept and " )%*+ means graceor gift. ** !"#"- is from hand

(12)


U N I T 3


(1) THE FEMININE NOUNS

, is the definite article for single feminine noun. There are two special definite
articles , ` ! and "# $% is the indefinite article for singular feminine
nouns, as much as it is the indefinite article for single masculine nouns.


}_: , the girl (ti-shaeri) }o the power (ti-gom)
} c o the woman (ti-es-himi) }, the room (ti-ri)
}sa;+s the school (ti-anzeeb) }_-,+ the censer (ti-shouree)
}sas),s the liturgy (ti-ana-fora) } -, sc the Trinity ( ti-et-riyas)
}sv s the lady saint (ti-agiy-ya) }as,: ac the Virgin (ti partheanos)
}-,a the queen ( ti-ou-roa ) }sas the slave - servant (ti-voaki)
}: s si+c s the church ti-ek-lee-siy-ya }ss: z,s the cathedral (kathaedra)
}sa asii the vine ti-voa-en-aloli }sss the city (ti-vaki)
-): the heaven (et-fae) `-_: , the daughter - girl (et-shaeri)
os- the mother (eth- mav) a+s the lady (eth-neep)

(13)

.
(2) PLURAL NOUNS
The definite article for plural nouns is H| . The indefinite article is -mH,
for both masculine and feminine plural nouns.
Most Coptic nouns do not change in plural . We understand the number we are
dealing with, by the plural articles used.

a ,ao the man (pi-roami ) a ,ao the men (ni-roami)
-,ao a man (ou-roami) sa,ao men (han-roami)
a a_ the lesson (pi-oash) a a_ the lessons (ni-oash)
-a_ a lesson (ou-oash) saa_ lessons (han-oash)
}_: , the girl (ti- shaeri) a _: , the girls (ni-shaeri)
-_: , a girl (ou-shaeri ) sa_: , girls (han-shaeri)
}, the room (ti-ri) a , the rooms (ni-ri)
-, a room (ou-ri) sa, rooms (han-ri)


Some Coptic nouns change in the plural form.
a , the door (pi-ro) a ,a- the doors (ni-roa-ou)
a ,a the mouth (pi-roa) a ,a- the mouths (ni-roa-ou)
a -, the king (pi-ou-ro) a -,a- the kings (ni-ou-roa-ou)

(14)


a s, the river (pi-yaro) a s,a- the rivers (ni-ya-roa-ou)
a : _a-the merchant pi-ae-shoat a : _} the merchants (ni-ae-shoti)
) a- the father (efyoat) a } the fathers (ni- yoti)
a : _: the neighbour pi-thaeshae a : _: - the neighbours (ni-thae-shaev)
a s: ii: the blind (pi-vellae) a s: ii: - the blinds (ni-vel-laev)
a si- the boy (pi-alou) a sia- the boy (ni-alo-ou-wi)
-): the heaven (et-fae) a )+- the heavens (ni-fee-ouw-wee)


(3) NOUNS USED WITHOUT ARTICLES

A - Some rare nouns do not take articles (definite or indefinite) . The typical
example is so: a} , which means hell ( a-men-ti ).

B - Nouns made up of a verb and the relative pronoun &'( !, "'( !
and )'( ! do not usually take an article.
)+: - who, whom (fi-aet) for singular masculine
+: - who, whom (thi-aet) for singular feminine
a+: - who, whom (ni-aet) for plural of both genders

(15)


)+: -: oc : a a ,ac.
The one who sits \ is sitting on the throne (fi-aet haemsi hijaen pi-eth-ronos)
+: -ss us, s ( = +: --ss, changing the - to )
(the) Saint Mary (thi-aeth-ouw-wab mariy-ya)
a+: -_aa -: a a isc those who are sick ( = the sick )
in the people ( ni-aet shoani khaen pi-la-woc )

C - When a noun is associated with a familiar adjective like: any, every , no.
*- " & any
: oc : a - ` a--c Sit on any chair. (haem-si hijaen ou en tots)
oa: ,_s, : - asi- Do not hit any boy . (empaer shari ae ou en alou)

&. /# & every
_i+i -: a : s si+c s &. /# & Pray in every church
(eshleel khaen aek-lee-siy-ya nivaen)
ss-s as &. /# & at every occasion ( kata hoab nivaen )

*-*& " &+0. I have " %%*& " &+0. I do not have
ooa o a-+ I have no power ( emmon gom en-tee )
0-a as} a-+ I have faith. (ouon nahti entee)

(16)

GENERAL PRACTICE

a o a: a ,ao )+: - _i+i? Who is the man praying ?
a ,ao )+: - _i+i a: a -+s. The man praying is the priest.
a o -: }_: , +: -c s ? Who is the girl speaking ?
}_: , +: -c s -: }_: , a a : _: -.
The girl speaking ( who speaks \ is speaking ) is the daughter of the neighbours.
}_: , +: -c s -_: , a a : _: - -: .
The girl speaking ( who speaks \ is speaking ) is a daughter of the neighbours.
a o a: a ,ao a+: -c a-: o : a ,sz (#) ?
Who are the men listening to the radio? nim nae niroami nee-aet soataem ae pi-radio
a ,ao a+: -ca-: o : a ,sz a: a : _}
The men listening (who listen \ are listening ) to the radio are the merchants.
a ,ao a+: -ca-: o : a ,sz sa: _} a: .
The men listening to the radio are merchants.
a isc a +o -isc a a, a:
The people of Egypt is a strong people .
}_: , +: -: ,as -: a a + aa : _: -, -,: oa y+o -: .
The girl working (who works) in the neighbours' house is Egyptian (Coptic).

# newly introduced word
(17)


a --c a+: --: a }, sa--c os: , a: %
The chairs in (lit that in) the room are new (chairs).
-o+_ a a ao a+: -y+ : : a }),_ , saao a sasc a: .
Many of the books ( lit that are ) on the table are old books.


RELIGIOUS APPLICATION
y: ,: us, s }-,a }sa asii a s-: ,-: iia.
Peace (Hail) to you Mary, the queen, the ever young ( lit that does not age ) vine.
(shaerae mareyya ti-ouroa ti-voa en aloli en at- aer- khelloa)
y: ,: a: us, s ac a} a mzso a: a a- y: ,: a: us, s
os-
o a os o)a- Peace to you O Mary the salvation of our father
Adam, peace to you Mary the mother of the shelter . (shaerae nae mareyya epsoati
en- adam paen- yoat, shaeraeh nae mareyya eth- mav em-pi-ma-em-foat)
-a oo us, s }sas * - }os-
Rejoice O Mary the maiden and (the) mother.(ounof emmo mareyya ti-voaki ouwoh ti-mav)
u c !a-} a-: a o -_- : si -: a -):
The master, the God of (All) Powers look from heaven .
(ep-choys efnouti entae ni-gom gousht aevol khaen etfae)

* Some feminine names and adjectives differ from masculine ones. *+,- fem. slave (*+, masc),
.( //+fem. old (.( //$ masc)
(18)


oa: , : ,} oaa as}
Do not be afraid just beleive. ( empaer aer-hoti monon nahti )
o+ )s a: a so_: a_+, ous, s - aca a| ssasc
?
Is this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of Jacob.
( mi fay paeh pi-amshae ep-sheeri em- mariy-ya ouw-woh epson en-yakoavos)
a : ,): a }: s si+c s -os : -ss a: . The sanctuary of the
church is a holy place (pi-aerfaey aen ti-aekli-siy-ya ouma aef -ouw-wab pae)
a+: -c : s-a- : }-a- a: o a : - a: o a ss-%
Who were (kept) ready for the hour, the day and the month
( nee-aet-saev-toat ae ti- ou-nou naem pi-eho-ou naem pi-avot )


V O C A B U L A R Y

a o who (nim) a: (*) is (singl. masc.) (pae)
-: (*) is (singl. fem.) (tae) a: (*) are ( plural ) (nae)
,sz (#int) radio (radio) +o Egypt (keemi)
a, strong (goari) : ,as to work (aer-hoab)
y: ,: ys ,: OG# for greeting ys ,: -: MG# hello, good day
___________________________________________________________________
(*) a: (sing. masc.), -: (sing.fem.) and a: are the descriptive form of verb to be, is, is, are

(19)

y: ,: hail - peace ( shaerae ) y: ,: a: peace to you (sing fem)
-: ii old (sing. masc.) ( khello) : ,-: ii to get old, age(aerkhello)
-: iiaold (sing. fem.) (khelloa) : ,-: iia to get old (for sing. fem)
s-: ,-: iia(*) does not age c a} to save (soati)
- ever young (at-aer-khel-loa) ac a} the salvation (ep-soati)
a: a a-(**) our father (pen-yoat) )a- to escape - take a shelter
a os o)a- the shelter pi-ma-em-foat a ss- the month ( pi-avot )
-a oo rejoice (ounof emmo) a-a the joy - happiness
: ,} to be afraid (aer-hoti) a } the fear ( pi - hoti )
oaa OG\MG# only,merely (monon) as} to believe ( nahti )
a as} the belief - faith (pi-nahti) o+ interrogative word ( mee )
)s a: this is (singl.masc.) (fay pae) o+ )s a: ? is this? mee fay-pae
s -: this is (sing fem) (thay tae) as a: these are (nay nae)
a so_: the carpenter (pi-amshae) a -: ii the old people (ni-khelloy)
a c a the brother (pi-son) a ca+- the brothers ni-es-niy-you
c: s-a- : ready, prepared for }-a- the hour ( ti-ounou )
( saev-toat ae ) a : - the day ( pi-ae-ho-ou )
_______________________________________________________________________
* s-s,-: iiais a compound adjective made of s- = un- , : ,- = to be or to do and -: iia old
for single fem.nouns /adj. ** as a- my father a: s a-your father (sing masc) a: a a-our
father
(20)


U N I T 4


PRESENT TENSES OF VERB

A - Simple present : to describe a situation or action, or to state a fact.
FIRST PERSON SINGULAR } ca-: o I hear, do hear (ti - soataem)
SECOND PERSON SINGULAR s ca-: o you hear, do hear (masculine)
( ek-soataem)
-: ca-: o you hear, do hear ( feminine )
( tae-soataem )
THIRD PERSON SINGULAR ` ! ca-: o he ( or it *) hears, ( does ) hear
(sing masc) ( ef - soataem )
c ca-: o she ( or it *) hears, does hear
(sing fem) (aes -soa -taem)
FIRST PERSON PLURAL -: a ca-: o we hear, do hear (taen-soataem)
SECOND PERSON PLURAL -: -: a ca-: o you hear , do hear
( plural ) (taetaen soataem)
THIRD PERSON PLURAL c: ca-: o they hear, do hear (masc \ fem)
( sae - soataem )
* it , used in English for lifeless things does not exist . a: for heand -: for sheare used instead
(21)


B - Continuous present tense describes an action still happening. In Coptic
it is also used for special adjective construction based on the past participle.

# . cs I am speaking (aey saji )
# 1cs you are speaking (singl.masc.) ( aek-saji )
# 2# cs you are speaking (singl. femin) (aerae saji)
# 3cs he is speaking (aef saji)
# 4 cs she is speaking (aes saji)
# &cs we are speaking (aen saji)
# 2# +# &cs you are speaking (plural masc\fem) (aeraetaen saji)
# -cs they are speaking (plural masc\fem) (aev saji)

RULES
(1) Most Coptic verbs do not change in the various tenses i.e. the ends remain the
same. The changes are confined to the subject pronouns.
(2)The subject pronouns }, s, -: , , c, -: a, -: -: a and c: for
the simple present and, the pronouns : , : s, : ,: , : , : c, : a,
: ,: -: a and : - for the present continuous, indicate the subject(s) who
carries out the action. Unlike the case in English, there are other subject pronouns
for I, you, he, she,..etc, that are used independently. These are :
sas I (anok) as you (sing.masc) (enthok)
a you (sing.fem) (entho) a he (enthof)

(22)


ac she (enthos) saa we (anon)
aa-: a you (plur) enthoataen aa- they (plural) (enthoa-ou)

Examples
sas a: a ,ao I am the man
ac -: }_: , . She is the girl.
saa a: a ,: o ay+o We are the Egyptians

(3) To negate a verb in the simple present or continuous present tense,
sa is added after the verb. sa means not.
}cs sa I do not speak . ( ti-saji an )
sc: s-a- sa You are not ready. (ek-saev-toat an)
-: ca-a sa You do not know. ( tae-soa-oun an )
as} sa He does not believe. (ef-nahti an)
c-a_ sa She does not want . (es-ouw-woash an)
-: a-ao sa We do not eat . (taen-ouw-woam an)
-: -: ass} sa You (plural)do not understand (taetaen-kati an)
c: ca sa They do not drink . (sae-soa an)
: : oc sa -: a }, I am not sitting in the room.
( aey-haem-si an khaen ti-ri )

(23)

: : ,as sa o)- He is not working
today.
(aef-aer-hoab an em- fo- ou)
: -cs sa a}sca a,: o ay+o They are not speaking
the
Coptic language (aev-saji an en-ti-aspi en raem-en-keemi)

(4) In English, pronouns can not be used in presence of nouns.Thus, we say
the boy speaks or he speaks but, can not say the boy he speaks. In
Coptic, pronouns are usually added to the verb in the presence of nouns.So we
say 0- 1/$% 2 3415- , 67( 8- ` 4415- and )- 8+9- 4( 415-
There are however examples where pronouns are not used in the presence of
nouns e.g. - a scoc ca-: o : ,a- "and the world listen to
them". Accordingly, we may say 0- 1/$% 415- , 67( 8- 415- ...etc

GENERAL PRACTICE
a o -: }_: , +: -: oc : ccs a: o a : _: -?
Who is the girl sitting ,( and ) speaking with the neighbours ?
a o a: a ,ao )+: -: oc : ca-: o : a ,sz ?
Who is the man sitting ( and ) listening to the radio ?
a o a: a sia- a+: - -: a a ao : -: ,: ,?
Who are the boys running in the park ( and ) playing ?
o+ scs a}sca a,: o ay+o ? Do you speak the Coptic
language?
c: }cs a}sca a,: o ay+o - }sca a s,ss
, a; .
Yes , I speak the Coptic language and (also) the Arabic language.

(24)


ooa, }cs sa a}sca a,: o ay+o siis }cs
a}sca a sai s # (mod G) - }ss} oo: --: a a.
No, I do not speak the Coptic language but I speak the English language and I
understand Greek.
o+ cso o: : -ao as : -: s- ?
Does Sami like to eat meat or fish? (mee Sami ef-maey ae ouw-woam en-af yae
taebt)
cso o: a- oa s, siis ss-s c+- -ao
a-: s- . Sami prefers the meat but, every now and then, he eats
fish.
u: -,c a: o | ,+a c: css oa ascys : _i+i -: a
}: s si+c s a ,- a s: a. Petros and Ireeni take
the opportunity of the Pass- over / Holy Week to pray in the church every
evening.
o+ c-: )sa a: o us,sc : -s,: _s }a- ? Are Stephan and
Marcus studying until now ?


RELIGIOUS APPLICATION
as a: a-, a-: a -,a- You are the king of kings.
| +c-c z: , : o_ : cs: a ) o a-: }\si i: s. . .
As Jesus was walking beside the sea of Gallilee, ...
-: a-a_- o)a-} -: a -} a: o -c: ,-: ,.
We worship (lit the) God in awe (lit fear) and tremble (reverence) .
(taen-ouw-woasht em-ef-nouti khaen ou-hoti naem ou-estaer-taer)
(25)


c : aa- -: a co- : a ,sa : -ss a-: a: a c
-
a: aa-} - a: aca-+, | +c-c a , c-c
So long we are living we bless the holy name of our Lord , God and saviour
Jesus Christ . ( hos aen-onkh taen-esmou ae-pi-ran aeth-ouw-wab en- tae paen
choys ouw-woh paen-nouti ouw-woh paen-soateer eesous pi-ekh-ristos )
c: a a : - a-: | asaa+c a ,: }aoc _s : --a
: }a- }o: --, a-: a )+- c: , ooc *; aac
From (since) the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven
is taken ( lit . they take it c: ooc ) forcefully .
( isjaen ni-eho-ou entae yoa-an-nees pi-raefti-oams sha aekhoun ae tinou ti-
maet-ouro entae ni-fi-ouw-wi sae-chi emmos en-gons)
sas -,: o,s-_ - }: s +-- I am gentle and humble.
}o: --, a-: a )+- ca a-,ao a: _a-
: sa} acs
sasaso+ : asa: - The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant man
looking for fine pearls . ( ti-maet-ouro entae nifi-ouw-wi es-oni en-ou- roami en ae-
shoat aef-koati ensa han-anamee ae-nanaev )
a+: -, c: : ,y, s sa oa c+ a Those who are strong do not need
(the) doctor
_______________________________________________________________________
*` oo , oos, oo, oo, ooc .. are object pronouns, meaning me, you, you,
him (it)
her (it) ..eg }ca-a oos I know you. }o: oo I love him.

(26)


V O C A B U L A R Y
to run (choji) a ao the garden (pi-choam)
: ,: , to play (jaer-jaer) }sca the language (ti aspi)
,: o as,ss s Arabic (raem-en-aravia) m,ss Arab ( adjective . noun)
m,sssc*G Arab (masc) (aravas) m,ss s Arab land (aravya)
m,ss s ai: oca-zSaudi Arabia mvvi s*G England (ang-lya)
i: o asvvi s# . mai s# English (raem-en-anglia) (anglik)
0-: a a Greek (ou-wey-nin) o: --: a a Greek
language
ss} to understand (kati) ss} , a; n undersanding
o: to love (maey) a s the meat (pi-af)
a -: s- the fish (pi-taebt) o: a- to prefer maey
enhou-o
a - the increase (pi-hou-o) : ,- to increase (aer-
hou-o)
a c+- the time (pi-siy-you) ss-s*OG /MG according (kata)
ss-s c+- sometimes (kata siy-you) css take the opportunity chi -
sak
ascys, a ; Holy week of paskha a ,- the evening (pi-
rouhi)
}a- now (ti-nou) : cs: a next to - along
(aeskaen)
a } the fear (pi-hoti) : ,} to be afraid ( aer-
hoti)
a c: ,-: , the tremble (pi-estaer-taer) c *OG as long as
(hos)
__________________________________________________________________
#mvvi s from Angles, german people settled in East Britain in 5
th
century. i: osvvi s ,
English, (,: o) related to, svvi s. 5&67. 1, Engish , for simplification.
(27)


c # MG as long as - as far as (oso) cc# MG as much \ as many
as
aa- , a-; to live (oankh) a aa- the life (pi-
oankh)
c: a since (is-jaen) a : - the day (pi-
eho-ou)
}aoc to baptise (ti-oams) ,: }aoc Baptist ( raef-ti-oams)
_s : --a : until (sha aekhoun ae) aac to take by
force
,: o,s-_ gentle (raem-ravsh) : s +-- humble (thaevee-
out)
: s to be humble - humiliate o: --,, }; kingdom (maet-
ouro)
a to be like (oni) sa} to go round -
surround
o asa} around (em-ep-koati) sa} acs to look for -search
for
saso+ OG(paerl) - diamond (anamee) : asa: - fine - good ae-nanaev
a+: -, those who are strong : , y, s G to need (aer-ek-
riya)
}y, s` y,: s O\MG need _s- to need - be in need
(shat)
a c+ a the doctor (pi-seeni) }o: -c+ a medicine (maet-
seeni)

IMPORTANT USAGE


asa: : os_a , very good
asa: ,- good evening
asa: -- good
morning
-: a -c+- : asa: in good time
(28)

-,ao : asa: * good man -_: , : asa: c* a
good girl
sasia- : asa: -* good boys a: asa: goodness -
kindness

, svsa) G goodness - kindness : ,a: asa: to do what is
good
cs : *(sing. masc.)beautiful say-ae cs +* (sig. fem.) beautiful
(say-ee)
HmHu good . fine
cs : - ? * plural beautiful say-aev cs : ssi of beautiful
eyes

a, : a, good
night
a, : - good day nofri
aeho-ou : ,a, to be of use - good \ earn
c: ,a, sa It is no good . It does not work. of no use
c: ,a, : : oc It is better to sit `c: ,a, sa : It is
better not to
ss-s a: -: ,a, if suitable, if reasonable (lit according to what is
good).
a, _s greeting exchanged in feasts (happy feast)
a, ,oa a: o | +c-c , a, ,oa a: o | +c-c
Happy yaer with Jesus (four times) , singing in birthdays.
_______________________________________________________
* note how some adjectives do change according to their number and gender. asa: , asa: c
and asa: - is good for sing.masc., sing. fem. and plural respectively. And cs : , cs +
and (cs : -?) beautiful for sing. masc., sing. fem. and plural respectively. And css: ,
css+ and css: - wise for sing.masc., sing. fem. and plural respectively.
(29)



U N I T 5


VERBS OF BEING, LINK VERBS
H0!i| nice .good. full of goodness
( 1 ) The common verb to be is incomplete because it needs to be followed by a
completing word, called a complement, e.g. The sky is blue. Here the sky is a
subject, is is the link verb that requires completion, and blue is a
complement.
A- Descriptive verb to be in Coptic:
a: is for sing. masculine sas a: a ,ao . I am the
man.
-: is for sing. feminine `ac -: }os-. She is the mother.
a: are for plural `aa- a: a -+s They are the
priests.

When the complement has the indefinite article - or sa the descrip.verb is
generally placed at the end of the sentence.

sas -,ao a: . I am a man (anok ou-roami pae)
ac -os- -: She is a mother (enthos ou-mav tae)
aa- sa-+s a: they are priests (en-thoa-ou han-ouw-weeb nae)

the descriptive verb to be in the past .

a: }),a a: It was winter. (nae ti-ef-roa-pae)
(30)


u: -,c a: -,ao a_a a:
Petros was a courageous man. ( petros nae ou-roami en shoayg pae)
a: . . . . . . . . a: = WAS ,
WERE
a: : asa: c : os_a a: .
(She) was very nice. (nae ae-nanaes ae-mashoa pae)
a: -a -sa;+s oas a:
There was a school here. (nae ou-on ou-anzeeb em-nay pae)
a: ooa i , a: ; oos-
There was no body (there). (nae em-mon eh-li pae em-mav)


B- Verb to be expressing position or location , in Coptic :

: y+ : _a is ( present, located), for sing. masc. (aef-kee - aef-shop)
: cy+ : c_a is (present, located), for sing. fem. (aes-kee - aes-shop)
: -y+ : -_a are (present, located), for plural (aev-kee - aev-shop)

* `y+, cy+, c: y+ and _a, c_a, c: _a can also be
used,
but not as often.
a ,ao : y+ , : _a; -: a a + . The man is in the
house.
}: s si+c s : cy+ , : c_a; -: a _o a-, The church is
(present-situated) in Damanhour. ti-aek-liciy-ya aes-kee\(aes-hop) khaen timi-
en-hoor

(31)



a ao : -y+ , : -_a; : a } ),_ . The books are on the
table.
a s: i: - a y+ -s a-a aa __+ The axe is at the root of
the trees.
(pi-kaelaevin efkee kha eth-nouni en-ni-esh-sheen)

The past tense of : y+ , : cy+ and : -y+ is asy+ , ascy+ and
as-y+, meaning WAS and WERE (present, located). The same applies for
: _a, : c_a and : -_a, the past form of which is as_a,
asc_a and as-_a.
It should be noted that the past form of verb to be expressing position can to be
followed by a: , as noted in the past tense of the descriptive verb to be.

a si- asy+ oos- a: . The boy was
there.
}: ssi+c s ascy+ -: a o+} a}sss a: . The church was
in the middle of the city . (ti-aek-lee-siy-ya nas-kee khaen aeth- meeti en ti-
vaki pae)

( 2 ) Other link verbs are: to seem and to become. These are sometimes
called verbs of being, because verbs of this kind have the same basic meaning as
the verb to be. Furthermore, and like verb to be, they must have an object to
make sense. It is not possible to say He became without completing the
sentense.
c-aa , : ; : ,: , a-: a c It seems (that) he
plays tennis.
c-aa , : ; css} sa a}o: -,: o ay+o . It seems (that)
she does not understand Coptic. ( es-ou-woanh jae es-kati an en-ti-maet - raem - en
- keemi )

(32)


a -+s -aa : -,: o ay+o a: . The priest seems to be
Coptic.
}c+ a c-aa : : c: s +--. The (lady) doctor looks
humble

prefix , added to a noun or adjective to mean to do or to be.eg css:
wise, : ,css: to be wise and as work, : ,as to work.
csa oo: -c+ a : : , -c+ a . He studies medicine to
become a doctor. ( ef-chi-esvoa em-maet-seeni ae aer
ou-seeni)
oa: ,: , c. Do not be ( act as ) stupid. (em-paer aer-
sog)
c: : , a : a, : -coc : a -: i: s ; a# , -: i: as-# G-C )
They spend the night watching TV. (sae aer-pi-aegoarh aev-soms ae pitaelae-
viz-yon : taelae-nav)
-: a: , a sa_s_ oascys -: a }: s si+c s.
We spend the week of paskha in the church.
(taenaer pi-an-shashf em-paskha khaen ti-aek-lee-siy-ya)
a ao c: : ,sasc ayai: o. The books become (get) old
quickly.


has many meanings, one of these is to be or become .
_aa a : ,: coc : aa Be
watchful upon us.
_aa acss: - ca-: o : }co+ o!a- Be wise and
listen to the voice of God. (Shoapi en savae ouw-woh soataem ae ti-es-mee em-efnooti)
: ,
_aa
_aa : sss} : a sa- z sc Be understanding to the adversary.
( shoapi aek-kati ae pi-antithikos )

(33)


sc*_aa o: a: acs o: a : -
It happened , after forty days. (as-shoapi maenaen-sa ehmae en-eho-ou )




-a -,ao a: : -: ,as -: a -osa})s-, .
There is a man who works in a pharmacy
( ou-on ou-roami pae aet-aerhoap khaen ou manti-fakhri)
a: -a -_: , a: : a: c,sa a: csi .
There was a girl whose name is Sally. ( nae ouon ou-shaeri pae ae paes-ran pae
sali )


_________________________________________________________________
(*) Past tense : s ca-: o I heard, ss ca-: o, you (sing. masc.) heard, s,:
ca-: o you (sing. fem.) heard, s ca-: o he heared , sc ca-: o she heard, sa
ca-: o we heard , s,: -: a ca-: o you heard (plur), s- ca-: o they heard
84 (for the past) and " 4 (for the present) can indicate the weather or an ill-defined
subject: c: ,s It is cold. c-aa : si it seems sc_aa It
happened.
*-*& .. # there is a: -a . . a: there was


(34)


RELIGIOUS APPLICATION

aa-: a a: )-a a oa scoc. You are the light of the
world.
ooa _o a-: * -sss yaa : cy+ : a --a-.
A city ( present - situated ) on a hill cannot be hidden. ( emmon eshgom entae ou-
vaki koap aes-kee hijaen ou-toa-ou )
!s a: -s,y+-: iaa+c a: - a: -,sos a: . He
(this) was a chief tax collector and was rich.( nae archi-taeloanees pae ouwoh en ou-rama-
o pae)
Ha : z: asy+ -: a c- _: a,oa .
Noah was (in) six hundred years(old). noa-ae thae naf-kee khaen so-ou shae en-roampi
Ha : a: -,ao ao+ a: . Noah was a righteous
man .
a : si-: a )as} as a: a _+, ams,sso
(Those) from (= of) the faith, (these) are the sons of Abraham.
as : -: a-**- _a _s : --a : }a-
most of whom are still living (lit These whom ,their majority present) until now.
a: -a -,ao : _a -: a Bss-iaa : a: ,sa** a:
| ass o. There was a man ( present - living) in Babylon, whose name is Iowakim
(naehou-on ouroami aefshop khaen vaviloan ae paefran pae yo-wakim)
as ,+} aa-: a sac -s a: a, = a ; _+, o
a | c,s +i. That way you are (omitted in this verse) stupid, O sons of
Israel.


___________________________________________________________________________________________________
* ooa _o not possible }sss a-: a city to- yaa to hide = a-:
}sss yaa **as ,sa, a: s ,sa, a: ,sa, a: ,sa , a: c ,sa, a: a
,sa, a: -: a ,sa, a- ,sa my name, your name, your name (sing. fem.) , his name,
her name, our name, their name.

(35)

s_aa , a+ *; a -ca-+, s. He became {past tense} a salvation
for me*.

zsa +i z: s: , -a _} oa: o oa isc.
Daniel became \ was {past tense**} great before (lit in front ) the people.

a: -a -s: ii: a: : : oc -s-: a a oa -
: _s-o: as . A blind man was sitting by the road begging.

a aoc a-: | asaa+c a: - : si-: a a ,ao a: ?
John`s Baptism, was it from men ?

: a : o sa : - : siaa. We do not know where it was from.
( : siaa means from where; it was is omitted in the Coptic verse.)

- asy+ oos- a: _s --s: aH,z+c
He was there until the end of Herod. (ouw-woh naf-kee em-mav pae sha et-kha-ae en
eerodees )

oa: ,a,s a-): : a ,ac o!a-} a: , - z:
| : ,csi+o : sss oa a _} a-, -: , - z:
oa: ,a,s a-: ss): : ooa _o oos*** : : ,
-ssa aa a-as_ : -s ayso: .
Do not swear by heaven for it is God`s throne, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the
Great King, and do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one thread of hair white
or black.
__________________________________________________________________
*a+ , ass, a: , as, asc, asa, aa-: a, aa- for me, for you, for you, for him, for
her, for us, for them. ** s , ss, s,: , s , sc . . subject pronouns for verbs in the past.***
oo , oos. oo. oo, ooc, ooa, . .object pronouns, me, you, you,
him, her, us ....
(36)


VOCABULARY

_a courageous-hero (shoayg) , }; o: -_a courage
, }; ),a winter (efroa) , a ; +a: ),a autumn hee-en-
ef.
, a ; _ao summer (shoam) , a ; +a_ao spring heen-sh.
-a there is \ are (ou-on) a: -a there was \ were nae o.
, }; sa;+s school (anzeeb) ,: o sa;+s pupil - student
oas here (em-nay) `oos- there (em - mav)
i thing (ehli) ooa i nothing - no
body
, a ; ao book (pi-goam) osaysao #C-C book case
, }; ),_ table (forshi) , }; -,sa: ;s# O\MG-AA table
, a ; s: i: s a axe (kaelaevin) , }; a-a root - origin
(nooni)
, a ; __+a tree (esheen) , }; o+} middle (ti -
meeti)
, }; sss city (vaki) , a ; }o town
(timi)
-aa to seem - appear (ouwoanh) : ,: , to play (jaer-jaer)
-aa : si to express - confess -: a --aa : si openly
, a ; -aa : si expression - show (of gratitude or thanks) - confession
csa to study (chi-aesvoa) c stupid (sog)

#c-c compound Coptic word, made of os place , ys to put, ao books .

(37)


, a ; : a, night (pi-aegoarh) , a ; sa_s_ week anshashf
coc to watch - regard (soms) sasc old (apas)
css: wise (savae) , }; o: -css: wisdom (mets.)
, }; css+ wise feminine css: - wise {plural} (savaev)
, }; co+ voice (esmee) o: a: acs after (menaensa)
sa- z sc *O\M Gk opponent - adversary `o: forty (ehmae)
, a ; : - day (eho - ou) , a ; - a a light (ou-
oay-ni)
, a ; scoc#O\MG universe - world yaa to hide (koap)
, a ; -a- hill - mountain (toa-ou) s,y+s,y #G head - chief
-: iaa+c OG tax collector teloanees ( arshee / arkhee - arshi / arkhi)
-: ic # MG tax - duty (taelos) s,y+-: iaa+c chief tax officer
c- six (so-ou) _: hundred (shae)
, }; ,oa year (rompi) o+ righteous (ethmee)
, a ; - majority \\ excess hou-o `oa: o in front - before empae-
emtho
, }; ca-+, s*O\MG salvation MG # safety - security soati-riya
isc O\M G people-multitude-masses a _} great - large (nishti)
, a ; oa - way - road (moayt) -s-: a at (khataen)
, a ; aoc baptism (oams) : o to know - be aware (aemi)
: siaa where from (aevol-thoan) , }; -s : end (kha-
ae)
, a ; ,ac O\M G\Int throne ethronos a,s to swear
(oark)
(38)


, }; s): head (afae) s)+- heads (afee-ouw-
we)
: , s): be - become the head \ chief , a ; ssa thread - fibre (
kap)
, a ; a hair (foay) -as_ white (ou-
oabsh)
-s (masc) ouway - (fem) ou-e one yso: black
(kamae)
-a _o o\`a possible - can be (ou-on eshgom em \ en)
ooa _o o\`a cannot be done - impossible emmon eshgom
em/en

IMPORTANT USAGE
- : siaa a: as \ -: a ? Where are you
from ?
} : si -: a iss} I am from
Alexandria.
} : si -: a mo: , s+ MG \ Int # , sas -,: oso: , s+ a: /
-: .
I am from America, I am American.
o+ as / a - : si-: a ksaszs ? Are you from
Canada?
: sy+ \ : ,: y+ -: a - a,oa ? How old are
you ?
s: , \ -: : , -+, a,oa ? How old are
you ?
: y+ -: a o+}(*) `a,oa . I am ten years
old.
}: , o: a,oa . I am forty years
old.
_________________________________________________________________
*Numbers fron one (-s masc., - fem.) to ten (o+- masc., o+} fem) differ accor-
ding to the gender. Since },oa , the year, is feminine, the fem. number o+} is used.
(39)

a o a: as \ a o -: a ? Who are you ?
as a: us,s ? Are you Mark ?
a: s,sa a: us,s ? Is your name Mark?
ooa, sas sa a: us,s. No, I am not Mark.
us,sa a: u: -,c My name is Peter
sas a: a c+ a . sas -: }acso.modG #
I am the doctor \ I am the nurse.
sas -c+ a a: . sas -acso -: . I am a doctor. I am a
nurse.
s_ a: a: s,sa \ a: ,sa ? What is your name ?
as,sa a: cso \ cso s. or as,sa cso \ cso s a: .
My name is Sami / Samya
.
c: o-} : ,s* \ : ,* : -?
What is your name ?(lit.,what do they call you / what are you called?)
c: o-} : , (*) : cso \ cso s.
My name is Sami \ Samya. (lit I am called / they call me )
________________________________________________________
* ' has many meanings, and in this case it acts as an object pronoun for the verb o-}.
The dealing is : , me, : ,s you, : , you (fem), : , him, : ,c her, : ,a us,
: ,a-: a you (plural) and : ,a- them. Revise object signs pages 6, 7 and the dealing
of the other object sign " % pages 26, 36.
# acso , modified from modern Greek )$4$,$9$4 and )$4$,$91
(40)