Unit 1: Nouns and Articles

Unit 1 Vocabulary

General Nouns

Coptic English Gender Irregular Plural
ⲕⲁϩⲓ earth/land M
ⲫⲉ sky/heaven F ⲫⲏⲟⲩⲓ
ⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ day M
ⲉϫⲱⲣϩ night M
ⲣⲁⲛ name M

People Nouns

Coptic English Gender Irregular Plural
ⲣⲱⲙⲓ man M
̀ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ woman F ϩⲓⲟⲙⲓ
ⲁ̀ⲗⲟⲩ child (boy/girl) M/F ⲁⲗⲱⲟⲩⲓ
ⲓⲱⲧ father M ⲓⲟϯ
ⲙⲁⲩ mother F
ⲥⲟⲛ brother M ̀ⲥⲛⲏⲟⲩ
ⲥⲱⲛⲓ sister F ̀ⲥⲛⲏⲟⲩ
ϣⲏⲣⲓ son M
ϣⲉⲣⲓ daughter F
ϧⲉⲗⲗⲟ elder (m.) M ϧⲉⲗⲗⲟⲓ
ϧⲉⲗⲗⲱ elder (f.) F ϧⲉⲗⲗⲟⲓ
̀ϣⲫⲏⲣ friend (m.) M
̀ϣⲫⲉⲣⲓ friend (f.) F
ⲟⲩⲣⲟ king M ⲟⲩⲣⲱⲟⲩ
ⲟⲩⲣⲱ queen F
ⲛⲏⲃ master M/F
ⲥⲁⲃⲉ wise person M ⲥⲁⲃⲉⲩ
ⲥⲁⲃⲏ wise person F ⲥⲁⲃⲉⲩ

Church Nouns

Coptic English Gender Irregular Plural
ⲛⲟⲩϯ god M
̀ⲧⲣⲓⲁⲥ Trinity F
ⲉⲕ̀ⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ church F
ⲥⲧⲁⲩⲣⲟⲥ cross M
̀ϣⲕⲉⲗⲕⲏⲗ bell M
̀ⲥⲕⲏⲛⲏ dome F
ⲗⲩⲭⲛⲓⲁ tower F
ϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ censer F
ⲥⲱⲙⲁ body M
̀ⲥⲛⲟϥ blood M
ⲱⲓⲕ bread M
ⲏⲣⲡ wine M
̀ⲁⲫⲟⲧ cup/chalice M
ⲇⲓⲁⲑⲏⲕⲏ testament/covenant F

General Vocabulary

Coptic English
ⲛⲉⲙ and/with
ⲁϣ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ What is your (m.) name?
ⲁϣ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲣⲁⲛ What is your (f.) name?
ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ... My name is...
ⲛⲟϥⲣⲓ Hello
ⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ Goodbye
ⲛⲁⲛⲉ ⲧⲟⲟⲩ̀ⲓ Good morning
ⲛⲁⲛⲉ ⲣⲟⲩϩⲓ Good evening
ⲛⲟϥⲣⲓ ̀ⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ Good day
ⲛⲟϥⲣⲓ ̀ⲉϫⲱⲣϩ Good night

Lesson 1: Indefinite Articles

Nouns

A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing or idea. For example: Peter, bicycle, dog, Alexandria, and truth are all nouns. Coptic nouns are classified by number and gender.

Number: They can be singular (s.) or plural (pl.) like in English. Contrast this with Arabic where a noun can be singular, dual (du.) or plural. Many Coptic nouns do not have a distinct plural form, but some do. We will call these the irregular plural form. The number (singular or plural) is only evident from the preceding article. 

Gender: Singular nouns can also be either masculine (m.) or feminine (f.) like in French, Spanish or Arabic. There is no neuter gender in Coptic (like in Greek or English).

Indefinite Articles

Indefinite articles are used to denote a noun that is not specified. For example, when we talk of "a book," we are referring to any book. Coptic has two forms of the indefinite article (singular and plural), which are attached directly to the beginning of the noun.

ⲟⲩ: Singular Indefinite Article for both masculine and feminine nouns. Translated to "a" or "an" in English

ϩⲁⲛ: Plural Indefinite Article which translates to the "s" at the end of a noun

Examples
ⲟⲩ a, an ϩⲁⲛ -s
ⲟⲩⲣⲁⲛ a name ϩⲁⲛⲣⲁⲛ names
ⲟⲩⲣⲱⲙⲓ a man ϩⲁⲛⲣⲱⲙⲓ men
ⲟⲩⲥ̀ϩⲓⲙⲓ a woman ϩⲁⲛϩⲓⲟⲙⲓ women
ⲟⲩϧⲉⲗⲗⲟ an elder ϩⲁⲛϧⲉⲗⲗⲟⲓ elders
ⲟⲩⲃⲁⲗ an eye ϩⲁⲛⲃⲁⲗ eyes
ⲟⲩⲛⲟⲩϯ a god ϩⲁⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ gods
ⲟⲩⲥ̀ⲕⲏⲛⲏ a dome ϩⲁⲛⲥ̀ⲕⲏⲛⲏ domes
ⲟⲩⲗⲩⲭⲛⲓⲁ a tower ϩⲁⲛⲗⲩⲭⲛⲓⲁ towers

Application

Application 1: Singular Articles

This is an excerpt from the priest's prayer during the Offertory. All of the definite and indefinite articles are underlined below, and an explanation for each follows.

ⲟⲩⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲧⲁⲓⲟ: ⲟⲩⲧⲁⲓⲟ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲱⲟⲩ: ̀ⲛϯⲡⲁⲛⲁⲅⲓⲁ ̀ⲧⲣⲓⲁⲥ ̀ⲫⲓⲱⲧ ⲛⲉⲙ ̀ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓ̀ⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ ̀ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ. ⲟⲩϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲕⲱⲧ ̀ⲉϫⲉⲛ ϯⲟⲓ ̀ⲙⲙⲁⲩⲁⲧⲥ ̀ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ̀ⲛⲕⲁⲑⲟⲗⲓⲕⲏ ̀ⲛⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲓⲕⲏ ̀ⲛⲉⲕ̀ⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ̀ⲫⲛⲟⲩϯ: ̀ⲁⲙⲏⲛ. Glory and honor, honor and glory, to the All-Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Peace and edification to the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church of God. Amen.
  1. ⲟⲩⲱⲟⲩ - the article ⲟⲩ is the singular indefinite article. ⲟⲩⲱⲟⲩ means "glory"

  2. ⲟⲩⲧⲁⲓⲟ - the article ⲟⲩ is the singular indefinite article. ⲟⲩⲧⲁⲓⲟ means "honor"

  3. ⲟⲩϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ - The article ⲟⲩ is the singular indefinite article. So ⲟⲩϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ means "peace."

  4. ⲟⲩⲕⲱⲧ - The article ⲟⲩ is the singular indefinite article. ⲕⲱⲧ is a verb meaning "to edify." It is used here as a noun, so ⲟⲩⲕⲱⲧ means "edification."
Application 2: Plural Indefinite Articles

This is an excerpt from Psalm 148 as it is chanted during the Fourth Canticle in the Vespers and Midnight Praises. All of the plural indefinite articles are underlined below, and an explanation for each follows.

ϩⲁⲛϧⲉⲗϣⲓⲣⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ϩⲁⲛⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ ⲁⲗⲗⲏⲗⲟⲩⲓⲁ: ϩⲁⲛϧⲉⲗⲗⲟⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ϩⲁⲛⲁⲗⲱⲟⲩ̀ⲓ Both young men and maidens alleluia: old men and children.
  1. ϩⲁⲛϧⲉⲗϣⲓⲣⲓ - The article ϩⲁⲛ is the plural indefinite article. So ϩⲁⲛϧⲉⲗϣⲓⲣⲓ means "young men"

  2. ϩⲁⲛⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ - The article ϩⲁⲛ is the plural indefinite article. So ϩⲁⲛⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ means "virgins" or "maidens"
  3. ϩⲁⲛϧⲉⲗⲗⲟⲓ - The article ϩⲁⲛ is the plural indefinite article. So ϩⲁⲛϧⲉⲗⲗⲟⲓ means "old men" or "elders"

  4. ϩⲁⲛⲁⲗⲱⲟⲩ̀ⲓ - The article ϩⲁⲛ is the plural indefinite article. So ϩⲁⲛⲁⲗⲱⲟⲩ̀ⲓ means "children"

Exercises

Exercise 1: Translate to Coptic

Translate the following phrases into Coptic. Note that you can use the preposition ⲛⲉⲙ as "and" to connect two nouns.

  1. a man and a woman
  2. a boy and a girl
  3. a father and a mother
  4. a father and a son
  5. fathers and mothers
  6. women and men
  7. boys and girls
  8. a king and a queen
Exercise 2: Translate to English

Translate the following phrases into English:

  1. ⲟⲩⲥⲟⲛ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲥⲱⲛⲓ
  2. ⲟⲩϧⲉⲗⲗⲟ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲓⲱⲧ
  3. ϩⲁⲛⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ϩⲁⲛϩⲓⲟⲙⲓ
  4. ϩⲁⲛⲥⲟⲛ ⲛⲉⲙ ϩⲁⲛ̀ϣⲫⲏⲣ
  5. ⲟⲩⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲟⲩⲣⲱ
  6. ⲟⲩⲥⲁⲃⲏ
  7. ⲟⲩⲓⲱⲧ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲙⲁⲩ
  8. ⲟⲩⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲉϫⲱⲣϩ
  9. ⲟⲩⲣⲁⲛ

Resources

Lesson 2: Definite Articles

Definite Articles

Where indefinite articles denote a noun that is not specified, definite articles denote a specified noun. For example, when we talk of "the book," we are referring to a specific book. English has only one definite article - "the" - which is used regardless of the noun it defines. Coptic has eight different forms, which are attached directly to the beginning of the noun.

The Coptic definite article depends on the number and gender of the noun, as well as its strength (more on that later) and sometimes the letter it begins with. It is important to use the correct definite article because this gives information about the noun. 

Masculine Articles: ⲡⲓ-, ̀ⲡ-, ̀ⲫ-

Feminine Articles: ϯ-, ̀ⲧ-, ̀ⲑ-

Plural Articles: ⲛⲓ-, ⲛⲉⲛ-

When to use each article is discussed below.

Plural Nouns

In the vast majority of cases, ⲛⲓ- is used as the definite article for nouns. For example: "the hands" would be ⲛⲓϫⲓϫ. 

The article ⲛⲉⲛ- is used in constructions involving the word "of" (i.e. "the" <pl. noun> "of" <noun>). For example: "the hands of Aaron" would be ⲛⲉⲛϫⲓϫ ̀ⲛⲀⲁⲣⲟⲛ.

Singular Nouns

The three masculine articles are equivalent to the three feminine articles.

ⲡⲓ- will follow the same rules as ϯ-

̀ⲡ- will follow the same rules as ̀ⲧ-

̀ⲫ- will follow the same rules as ̀ⲑ-

Strong/Weak Articles

ⲡⲓ- and ϯ- are considered strong articles.

̀ⲡ-, ̀ⲧ-, ̀ⲫ-, ̀ⲑ- are considered weak articles.

The strong articles are used in more specific situations than their counterparts. For example, if you're referring to a specific father, you would say ⲡⲓⲓⲱⲧ. However, if you were to say ̀ⲫⲓⲱⲧ, you would be understood to be referring to the father who is already will known; or considered to be unique or one-of-a-kind. So ̀ⲫⲓⲱⲧ is understood as referring to God the Father. Likewise, ⲡⲓϣⲏⲣⲓ ("the son") would refer to a particular son whereas ̀ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ refers to "the Son" (i.e. the Son of God). Sometimes this distinction occurs in English with the use of capital letters (e.g. The President).

Bilminor Articles

How do you distinguish between the two weak articles of each gender? When would you use ̀ⲡ or ̀ⲫ and ̀ⲧ or ̀ⲑ? This distinction is based on the first letter of the noun.

If the noun begins with any of the "Bilminor" letters (ⲃ ⲓ ⲗ ⲙ ⲛ ⲟ ⲣ) then ̀ⲫ and ̀ⲑ are used. If not, then ̀ⲡ and ̀ⲧ are used.

Summary

The following chart summarizes the rules for the Coptic Definite Article.

image-1674929315528.jpg

Examples
Singular
Plural
ⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ The man ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ The men
ϯⲥ̀ϩⲓⲙⲓ The woman ⲛⲓϩⲓⲟⲙⲓ The women
ⲡⲓⲁⲗⲟⲩ The boy ⲛⲓⲁⲗⲱⲟⲩⲓ The children
ϯⲁⲗⲟⲩ The girl

ⲡⲓⲓⲱⲧ The father ⲛⲓⲓⲟϯ The fathers
̀ⲫⲓⲱⲧ The Father (God)

ϯⲙⲁⲩ The mother ⲛⲓⲙⲁⲩ The mothers
̀ⲑⲙⲁⲩ The Mother (St Mary)

ⲡⲓϣⲏⲣⲓ The son ⲛⲓϣⲏⲣⲓ The sons
̀ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ The Son (Christ)

ϯϣⲉⲣⲓ The daughter ⲛⲓϣⲉⲣⲓ The daughters
̀ⲧϣⲉⲣⲓ The Daughter (St Mary e.g. ̀ⲧϣⲉⲣⲓ ⲛ̀Ⲓⲱⲁⲕⲓⲙ)

ϯϧⲉⲗⲗⲱ The old woman ⲛⲓϧⲉⲗⲗⲟⲓ The elders
̀ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ The King (Christ) ⲛⲓⲟⲩⲣⲱⲟⲩ The kings
ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲣⲟ The king

ⲡⲓⲛⲟⲩϯ The god ⲛⲓⲛⲟⲩϯ The gods
̀ⲫⲛⲟⲩϯ God

ϯ̀ⲧⲣⲓⲁⲥ The Trinity

ϯⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ The Church ⲛⲓⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ The churches
ⲡⲓⲥⲧⲁⲩⲣⲟⲥ The Cross

ϯ̀ⲥⲕⲏⲛⲏ The dome ⲛⲓ̀ⲥⲕⲏⲛⲏ The domes
ϯⲗⲩⲭⲛⲓⲁ The tower ⲛⲓⲗⲩⲭⲛⲓⲁ The towers
ϯϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ The censer

ⲡⲓⲥⲱⲙⲁ The body

ⲡⲓ̀ⲥⲛⲟϥ The blood

ⲡⲓⲱⲓⲕ The bread

ⲡⲓ̀ⲁⲫⲟⲧ The chalice

Interesting Cases
  1. Some nouns seem like they should be using the weak article, but they always seem to use the strong article.
    • Examples: ϯ̀ⲧⲣⲓⲁⲥ, ⲡⲓⲥⲧⲁⲩⲣⲟⲥ, ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ, ϯⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ, ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲛⲧⲟⲕⲣⲁⲧⲱⲣ
    • These nouns are all actually Greek nouns and thus use the strong article (masculine or feminine). The rules above related to strong/weak and ⲃⲓⲗⲙⲛⲟⲣ are only applicable to Coptic nouns.
    • The Coptic equivalent of ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ, for example is ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙⲫⲛⲟⲩϯ which uses the weak article

  2. Nouns that are borrowed from Greek will retain their gender, except when they are neuter in which case they take on a masculine gender in Coptic.

  3. ̀ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ means "the King" but in the hymn of ̀ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ, we translate it as "O King" or "يا ملك" - why is this so?
    • This is called the vocative. The vocative refers to when the name of a person or thing is addressed or invoked. We will learn the vocative in a future unit, but one of the ways to express it is with the definite article.
    • In Greek, the vocative is expressed with Ⲱ and this is sometimes borrowed in the Coptic
    • You can read more about the Vocative in Nabil Mattar Ch 11, Sameh Younan Ch 2.1.i

Application

Application 1: Singular Articles

This is an excerpt from the priest's prayer during the Offertory. All of the definite and indefinite articles are underlined below, and an explanation for each follows.

ⲟⲩⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲧⲁⲓⲟ: ⲟⲩⲧⲁⲓⲟ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲱⲟⲩ: ̀ⲛϯⲡⲁⲛⲁⲅⲓⲁ ̀ⲧⲣⲓⲁⲥ ̀ⲫⲓⲱⲧ ⲛⲉⲙ ̀ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓ̀ⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ ̀ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ. ⲟⲩϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲕⲱⲧ ̀ⲉϫⲉⲛ ϯⲟⲓ ̀ⲙⲙⲁⲩⲁⲧⲥ ̀ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ̀ⲛⲕⲁⲑⲟⲗⲓⲕⲏ ̀ⲛⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲓⲕⲏ ̀ⲛⲉⲕ̀ⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ̀ⲫⲛⲟⲩϯ: ̀ⲁⲙⲏⲛ. Glory and honor, honor and glory, to the All-Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Peace and edification to the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church of God. Amen.
  1. ⲟⲩⲱⲟⲩ - the article ⲟⲩ is the singular indefinite article. ⲟⲩⲱⲟⲩ means "glory"

  2. ⲟⲩⲧⲁⲓⲟ - the article ⲟⲩ is the singular indefinite article. ⲟⲩⲧⲁⲓⲟ means "honor"

  3. ϯⲡⲁⲛⲁⲅⲓⲁ - the article ϯ is one of the singular feminine definite articles. ϯⲡⲁⲛⲁⲅⲓⲁ translates to "the All-Holy." With the prefix ̀ⲛ-, the word means "of the All-Holy"

  4. ̀ⲧⲣⲓⲁⲥ - The word ̀ⲧⲣⲓⲁⲥ means Trinity and is not using definite article ̀ⲧ.

  5. ̀ⲫⲓⲱⲧ - The article ̀ⲫ- is one of the the singular masculine definite articles. Since ̀ⲫ- is a weak article, this word is referring to the Father who is already well known to the reader - God, the Father. A strong article would have translated to "the father." ̀ⲫ is used instead of ̀ⲡ because the noun starts with ⲓ, a Bilminor letter.

  6. ̀ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ - The article ̀ⲡ -is one of the the singular masculine definite articles. Since ̀ⲡ- is a weak article, this word is referring to the Son who is already well known to the reader - God, the Son. A strong article would have translated to "the son." ̀ⲡ is used instead of ̀ⲫ because the noun starts with ϣ, which is not a Bilminor letter.

  7. ⲡⲓ̀ⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ - The article ⲡⲓ is a singular masculine definite article. So the word ⲡⲓ̀ⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ means "the spirit." The full text read ⲡⲓ̀ⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ - "the spirit that is holy" - The Holy Spirit.

  8. ⲟⲩϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ - The article ⲟⲩ is the singular indefinite article. So ⲟⲩϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ means "peace."

  9. ⲟⲩⲕⲱⲧ - The article ⲟⲩ is the singular indefinite article. ⲕⲱⲧ is a verb meaning "to edify." It is used here as a noun, so ⲟⲩⲕⲱⲧ means "edification."

  10. ϯⲟⲩ̀ⲓ - The article ϯ is the singular feminine definite article. So ϯⲟⲩ̀ⲓ means "the one."

  11. ̀ⲫⲛⲟⲩϯ - The article ̀ⲫ- is one of the the singular masculine definite articles. Since ̀ⲫ- is a weak article, this word is referring to the god who is already well known to the reader - God. A strong article would have translated to "the god." ̀ⲫ is used instead of ̀ⲡ because the noun starts with ⲛ, a Bilminor letter.
Application 2: Single Definite Articles

This is an excerpt from the Anaphora of St. Gregory the Theologian in the Divine Liturgy.

ⲫⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ: ⲡⲓⲁⲧ̀ϣⲥⲁϫⲓ ̀ⲙⲙⲟϥ: ⲡⲓⲁⲑⲛⲁⲩ ̀ⲉⲣⲟϥ: ⲡⲓⲁⲧϣⲟⲡϥ: ⲡⲓⲁⲧⲁⲣⲭⲏ: ⲡⲓϣⲁ̀ⲉⲛⲉϩ: ⲡⲓⲁⲧⲥⲏⲟⲩ: ⲡⲓⲁⲧ̀ϣϯϣⲓ ̀ⲉⲣⲟϥ: ⲡⲓⲁⲧ̀ϣϧⲉⲧϧⲱⲧϥ: ⲡⲓⲁⲧⲫⲟⲛϩ: ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ̀ⲡⲧⲏⲣϥ: ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥⲥⲱϯ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ. God the Lover of Mankind, the ineffable, the invisible, the infinite, the without beginning, the eternal, the timeless, the immeasurable, the incomprehensible, the unchangeable, the Creator of all, the Savior of everyone.
  1. Ⲫⲛⲟⲩϯ - God

  2. ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ - The Lover of Man

  3. ⲡⲓⲁⲧ̀ϣⲥⲁϫⲓ - The ineffable: the one that cannot be described

  4. ̀ⲡⲓⲁⲑⲛⲁⲩ - The invisible: the not seen

  5. ⲡⲓⲁⲧ̀ϣⲟⲡϥ - The infinite: the cannot be counted

  6. ⲡⲓⲁⲧⲁⲣⲭⲏ - The without beginning

  7. ⲡⲓϣⲁ̀ⲉⲛⲉϩ - The everlasting/eternal: the forever

  8. ⲡⲓⲁⲧⲥⲏⲟⲩ - The timeless: the without time

  9. ⲡⲓⲁⲧ̀ϣϯϣⲓ - The immeasurable: the cannot be measured

  10. ⲡⲓⲁⲧ̀ϣϧⲉⲧϧⲱⲧϥ - The incomprehensible: the cannot be examined

  11. ⲡⲓⲁⲧⲫⲟⲛϩ - The unchangeable: the without change

  12. ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ - The Creator: the one who creates

  13. ̀ⲡⲧⲏⲣϥ - The all

  14. ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥⲥⲱϯ - The Savior: the one who saves
Application 3: Plural Definite Articles

These are excerpts from the Third Canticle as it is chanted during the Midnight Praise. All of the plural definite articles are underlined below, and an explanation for each follows.

̀ⲥⲙⲟⲩ ̀ⲉ̀ⲡϭⲟⲓⲥ ⲛⲓⲙⲟⲩⲙⲓ: ϩⲱⲥ ̀ⲉⲣⲟϥ... Bless the Lord O you fountains, praise Him...
̀ⲥⲙⲟⲩ ̀ⲉ̀ⲡϭⲟⲓⲥ ⲛⲓ̀ⲁⲙⲁⲓⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲓⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩ: ϩⲱⲥ ̀ⲉⲣⲟϥ... Bless the Lord O you seas and rivers, praise Him...
̀ⲥⲙⲟⲩ ̀ⲉ̀ⲡϭⲟⲓⲥ ⲛⲓⲕⲏⲧⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲉⲛⲭⲁⲓ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲉⲧⲕⲓⲙ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲙⲱⲟⲩ: ϩⲱⲥ ̀ⲉⲣⲟϥ... Bless the Lord O you whales and all that moves in the waters, praise Him...
̀ⲥⲙⲟⲩ ̀ⲉ̀ⲡϭⲟⲓⲥ ⲛⲓϩⲁⲗⲁϯ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ̀ⲧⲫⲉ: ϩⲱⲥ ̀ⲉⲣⲟϥ... Bless the Lord all you birds of the sky, praise Him...
̀ⲥⲙⲟⲩ ̀ⲉ̀ⲡϭⲟⲓⲥ ⲛⲓⲑⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲧⲉⲃⲛⲱⲟⲩ̀ⲓ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ: ϩⲱⲥ ̀ⲉⲣⲟϥ... Bless the Lord all you wild beasts and cattle, praise Him...
  1. ⲛⲓⲙⲟⲩⲙⲓ - The article ⲛⲓ is the plural definite article. So ⲛⲓⲙⲟⲩⲙⲓ means "the fountains" or "the springs."

  2. ⲛⲓ̀ⲁⲙⲁⲓⲟⲩ - The article ⲛⲓ is the plural definite article. So ⲛⲓ̀ⲁⲙⲁⲓⲟⲩ means "the seas." ̀ⲁⲙⲁⲓⲟⲩ is an irregular plural for the singular ⲓⲟⲙ meaning "sea."

  3. ⲛⲓⲓⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩ - The article ⲛⲓ is the plural definite article. So ⲛⲓⲓⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩ means "the rivers." ⲓⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩ is an irregular plural for the singular ⲓⲁⲣⲟ meaning "river."

  4. ⲛⲓⲕⲏⲧⲟⲥ - The article ⲛⲓ is the plural definite article. So ⲛⲓⲕⲏⲧⲟⲥ means "the whales."

  5. ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ -  The ⲛⲓ here is not an article but rather the word is ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ, an adjective meaning "every."

  6. ⲛⲓⲙⲱⲟⲩ - The article ⲛⲓ is the plural definite article. So ⲛⲓⲙⲱⲟⲩ means "the waters."

  7. ⲛⲓϩⲁⲗⲁϯ - The article ⲛⲓ is the plural definite article. So ⲛⲓϩⲁⲗⲁϯ means "the birds." ϩⲁⲗⲁϯ is an irregular plural for the singular ϩⲁⲗⲏⲧ meaning "bird."

  8. ⲛⲓⲑⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ - The article ⲛⲓ is the plural definite article. So ⲛⲓⲑⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ means "the wild animals."

  9. ⲛⲓⲧⲉⲃⲛⲱⲟⲩ̀ⲓ - The article ⲛⲓ is the plural definite article. So ⲛⲓⲧⲉⲃⲛⲱⲟⲩ̀ⲓ means "the beasts" or "the animals."

Exercises

Exercise 1: Translate to Coptic

Translate the following into Coptic:

  1. The man and the woman
  2. The brother and the sister
  3. The boy and the girl
  4. The sky and the earth
  5. The father and the mother
  6. The father and the son
  7. The Father and the Son
  8. The brothers and the sisters
  9. The fathers and the mothers
  10. The women and the men
  11. The boys and the girls
  12. The king and the queen
Exercise 2: Translate to English

Translate the following phrases into English:

  1. ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ϯ̀ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ
  2. ⲛⲓⲟⲩⲣⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲟⲩⲏⲃ
  3. ̀ⲧⲫⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ ̀ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ
  4. ⲡⲓ̀ⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓ̀ⲉϫⲱⲣϩ
  5. ϯ̀ⲥⲕⲏⲛⲏ ⲛⲉⲙ ϯⲗⲩⲭⲛⲓⲁ
  6. ϯϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ
  7. ⲡⲓⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓ̀ⲥⲛⲟϥ
  8. ⲡⲓⲱⲓⲕ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓ̀ⲁⲫⲟⲧ
  9. ⲛⲓⲃⲁⲗ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲙⲁϣϫ
  10. ⲡⲓⲥⲟⲛ ⲛⲉⲙ ϯⲥⲱⲛⲓ
  11. ⲛⲓϧⲉⲗⲗⲟⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲁⲗⲱⲟⲩⲓ
  12. ̀ⲫⲛⲏⲃ ̀ⲡϭⲟⲓⲥ ̀ⲫⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲛⲧⲟⲕⲣⲁⲧⲱⲣ

Resources

Lesson 3: Possessive Articles

Possessive Articles

When assigning a possessive article to a noun, several things are taken into account:

Masculine Object Feminine Object Plural Object English Person Number
ⲡⲁ- ⲧⲁ- ⲛⲁ- My 1st  Singular
ⲡⲉⲛ- ⲧⲉⲛ- ⲛⲉⲛ- Our 1st Plural
ⲡⲉⲕ- ⲧⲉⲕ- ⲛⲉⲕ- Your (m.) 2nd Singular
ⲡⲉ- ⲧⲉ- ⲛⲉ- Your (f.) 2nd Singular
ⲡⲉⲧⲉⲛ- ⲧⲉⲧⲉⲛ- ⲛⲉⲧⲉⲛ- Your (pl.) 2nd Plural
ⲡⲉϥ- ⲧⲉϥ- ⲛⲉϥ- His 3rd Singular
ⲡⲉⲥ- ⲧⲉⲥ- ⲛⲉⲥ- Her 3rd Singular
ⲡⲟⲩ- ⲧⲟⲩ- ⲛⲟⲩ- Their 3rd Plural

The first letter of the possessive article is based on the gender and number of the object and are identical to the first letter of the definite article:

The rest of the article is based on the perspective, gender and number of the subject:

We will continue to see both of these patterns (i.e. ⲡ for masculine, ⲧ for feminine, ⲛ for plural; and ⲁ for 1st Person Singular, ⲉⲕ for 2nd Person Masculine, ⲉ for 2nd Person Feminine, etc.) throughout the Coptic language.

Examples
ⲡⲁⲓⲱⲧ my father ⲧⲁⲙⲁⲩ my mother ⲛⲁⲓⲟϯ my fathers
ⲡⲉⲕⲓⲱⲧ your (m.) father ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲁⲩ your (m.) mother ⲛⲉⲕⲓⲟϯ your (m.) fathers
ⲡⲉⲓⲱⲧ your (f.) father ⲧⲉⲙⲁⲩ your (f.) mother ⲛⲉⲓⲟϯ your (f.) fathers
ⲡⲉϥⲓⲱⲧ his father ⲧⲉϥⲙⲁⲩ his mother ⲛⲉϥⲓⲟϯ his fathers
ⲡⲉⲥⲓⲱⲧ her father ⲧⲉⲥⲙⲁⲩ her mother ⲛⲉⲥⲓⲟϯ her fathers
ⲡⲉⲛⲓⲱⲧ our father ⲧⲉⲛⲙⲁⲩ our mother ⲛⲉⲛⲓⲟϯ our fathers
ⲡⲉⲧⲉⲛⲓⲱⲧ your (pl.) father ⲧⲉⲧⲉⲛⲙⲁⲩ your (pl.) mother ⲛⲉⲧⲉⲛⲓⲟϯ your (pl.) fathers
ⲡⲟⲩⲓⲱⲧ their father ⲧⲟⲩⲙⲁⲩ their mother ⲛⲟⲩⲓⲟϯ their fathers

Application

Application 1: 

This is an excerpt from the eighth part of the Sunday Theotokia. The possessive articles are underlined below, as well as the definite and in definite articles from last week, and an explanation is provided for each.

ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉⲥⲉⲩⲭⲏ: ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉⲥ̀ⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲓⲁ: ̀ⲁⲟⲩⲱⲛ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲡϭⲟⲓⲥ: ̀ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲟ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ϯⲉⲕ̀ⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ. Through her prayers: and intercessions: O Lord open unto us: the gates of the Church.
  1. ⲛⲉⲥⲉⲩⲭⲏ - the 3rd person feminine article is used here with a plural definite article. So the translation is "her prayers." Prayers is plural because of the ⲛ- in ⲛⲉⲥ and the possessive pronoun is "her" because of the -ⲉⲥ
  2. ⲛⲉⲥ̀ⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲓⲁ - the 3rd person feminine article is used here with a plural definite article. So the translation is "her intercessions." Intercessions is plural because of the ⲛ- in ⲛⲉⲥ and the possessive pronoun is "her" because of the -ⲉⲥ
  3. ⲡϭⲟⲓⲥ - straightforward singular masculine weak definite article (non-ⲃⲓⲗⲙⲛⲟⲣ).
  4. ̀ⲫⲣⲟ - the noun ⲣⲟ means "mouth" but can also mean gate (i.e. the gate of the church is the mouth of the church). It is interesting here that the weak article is used, as if to say the Gates of the Church are unique or well known.
  5. ϯⲉⲕ̀ⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ - straightforward singular feminine strong definite article.
Application 2: 

This is an excerpt from the Second Canticle. The possessive articles are underlined below, and an explanation for each follows.

ⲁϥϯ ̀ⲙⲡⲟⲩⲕⲁϩⲓ ⲉⲩ̀ⲕⲗⲏⲣⲟⲛⲟⲙⲓⲁ ⲁⲗⲗⲏⲗⲟⲩⲓⲁ: ϫⲉ ⲡⲉϥⲛⲁⲓ ϣⲟⲡ ϣⲁ ̀ⲉⲛⲉϩ. And gave their land as a heritage: Alleluia, His mercy endures forever.
ⲉⲩ̀ⲕⲗⲏⲣⲟⲛⲟⲙⲓ̀ⲁ ̀ⲙⲡⲉϥⲃⲱⲕ ⲡⲓⲥⲣⲁⲏⲗ ⲁⲗⲗⲏⲗⲟⲩⲓⲁ: ϫⲉ ⲡⲉϥⲛⲁⲓ ϣⲟⲡ ϣⲁ ̀ⲉⲛⲉϩ. A heritage to Israel His servant: Alleluia, His mercy endures forever.
̀ⲛ̀ϩⲣⲏⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲛⲑⲉⲃⲓⲟ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲡⲉⲛⲙⲉⲩ̀ⲓ ̀ⲛϫⲉ ⲡϭⲟⲓⲥ ⲁⲗⲗⲏⲗⲟⲩⲓⲁ: ϫⲉ ⲡⲉϥⲛⲁⲓ ϣⲟⲡ ϣⲁ ̀ⲉⲛⲉϩ. The Lord who remembered us in our lowly state: Alleluia, His mercy endures forever.
  1. ⲡⲟⲩⲕⲁϩⲓ - the 3rd person plural article is used here with a masculine definite article. So the translation is "their land." Land is singular because of the ⲡ- in ⲡⲟⲩ and the possessive pronoun is "their" because of the -ⲟⲩ. 
  2. ⲡⲉϥⲛⲁⲓ - the 3rd person masculine article is used here with a masculine definite article. So the translation is "his mercy." Mercy is singular because of the ⲡ- in ⲡⲉϥ and the possessive pronoun is "his" because of the -ⲉϥ. 
  3. ⲡⲉϥⲃⲱⲕ - the 3rd person masculine article is used here with a masculine definite article. So the translation is "his servant." Servant is singular because of the ⲡ- in ⲡⲉϥ and the possessive pronoun is "his" because of the -ⲉϥ. 
  4. ⲡⲉϥⲛⲁⲓ - See above.
  5. ⲡⲉⲛⲑⲉⲃⲓⲟ - the 1st person plural article is used here with a masculine definite article. So the translation is "our humility." Humility is singular because of the ⲡ- in ⲡⲉⲛ and the possessive pronoun is "our" because of the -ⲉⲛ. The common English translation is "our lowly state."
  6. ⲁϥⲉⲣⲡⲉⲛⲙⲉⲩ̀ⲓ - the usage of ⲡⲉⲛ here is not a possessive article, although the ⲡⲉⲛ does refer to the 1st person plural "us." The word is translated as "he remembered us." We can translate the entire third verse above as:
    In our humility, He remembered us; namely, the Lord. Alleluia. "His mercy endures for ever." 
Application 3: 

This is an excerpt from the Liturgy of St Gregory. The possessive articles are underlined below, and an explanation for each follows.

ⲛⲁⲕϫⲱ ̀ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲡⲉ ̀ⲛⲛⲉⲕⲙⲁⲑⲏⲧⲏⲥ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ̀ⲛⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ. Ϫⲉ ⲧⲁϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ ϯϯ ̀ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲛⲱⲧⲉⲛ: ⲧⲁϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ ̀ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ϯⲭⲱ ̀ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲙⲱⲧⲉⲛ. Ⲑⲁⲓ ⲟⲛ ϯⲛⲟⲩ ̀ⲁⲣⲓ̀ϩⲙⲟⲧ ̀ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ. You said to Your holy disciples and apostles, "My peace I give to you; My peace I leave with you." The same also, now grant to us, O our Master.
  1. ⲛⲉⲕⲙⲁⲑⲏⲧⲏⲥ - the 2nd person masculine article is used here with a plural definite article. So the translation is "your (m.) disciples." Disciples is plural because of the ⲛ- in ⲛⲉⲕ and the possessive pronoun is "your (m.)" because of the -ⲉⲕ. 
  2. ⲧⲁϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ - the 1st person singular article is used here with a feminine definite article. So the translation is "my peace." Peace is singular because of the ⲧ- in ⲧⲁ and the possessive pronoun is "my" because of the -ⲁ. 
  3. ⲧⲁϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ - See above.
  4. ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ - the 1st person plural article is used here with a masculine definite article. So the translation is "our master." Master is singular because of the ⲡ- in ⲡⲉⲛ and the possessive pronoun is "our" because of the -ⲉⲛ.
Application 4: 

This is an excerpt from the Doxology of St Rebekah. The possessive articles are underlined below, and an explanation for each follows.

ⲁⲩϣⲁⲧ ⲛⲓ̀ⲁⲫⲏⲟⲩ ̀ⲛⲛⲓϣⲏⲣⲓ: ϧⲉⲛ ̀ⲡⲁⲙⲏⲣ ̀ⲛⲧⲟⲩⲙⲁⲩ ̀ⲓⲧⲁ ⲧⲉⲥ̀ⲁⲫⲉ: ⲛⲓⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ ⲁⲩⲕⲉⲧ ⲟⲩⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲛⲱⲟⲩ: ⲁⲩⲟⲩⲱⲛϩ ̀ⲛϫⲉ ⲛⲟⲩ̀ϣⲫⲏⲣⲓ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ. They cut the heads of the children: in the embrace of their mother and then her head: the faithful built a church for them: they revealed their wonders to them.
  1. ⲛⲓ̀ⲁⲫⲏⲟⲩ - the heads (plural definite article; irregular plural form of ̀ⲁⲫⲉ meaning "head")
  2. ⲛⲓϣⲏⲣⲓ - the children (plural definite article)
  3. ̀ⲡⲁⲙⲏⲣ - the embrace (singular weak article with ⲁⲙⲏⲣ meaning "arm" or "embrace")
  4. ⲧⲟⲩⲙⲁⲩ - their mother (singular feminine possessive third person plural article)
  5. ⲧⲉⲥ̀ⲁⲫⲉ - her head (singular feminine possessive third person singular article)
  6. ⲛⲓⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ - the faithful (plural definite article)
  7. ⲟⲩⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ - a church (singular indefinite article)
  8. ⲛⲟⲩ̀ϣⲫⲏⲣⲓ - their wonders (plural possessive third person plural article; irregular plural form of ̀ϣⲫⲏⲣ meaning "wonder")
Biblical Examples
ϯ̀ⲧⲣⲁⲡⲉⲍⲁ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲟⲩϭⲓⲥⲉⲩ the table of their masters (Mt 15:27)
ⲛⲓⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲣⲱⲟⲩ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲟⲩⲱⲟⲩ all the kingdoms of the world and their glory (Mt 4:8)
̀ⲛⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲥⲟⲛ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲁⲥⲱⲛⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲁⲙⲁⲩ he is my brother and my sister and my mother (Mt 12:50)
ⲛⲓⲙ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲁⲙⲁⲩ ⲓⲉ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲁ̀ⲥⲛⲏⲟⲩ who is my mother or who are my brothers? (Mt 12:48)

Exercises

Exercise 1: Translate to Coptic

Translate the following into Coptic:

  1. My father and your (f.) father
  2. My mother and your (m.) mother
  3. Their eyes and ears
  4. My brothers and sisters
  5. His nose and his tongue
  6. My body and my blood
  7. Your (pl.) king and queen
  8. His brother and her sister
  9. Our mouth
  10. Our mouths
  11. The king and my brother
Exercise 2: Translate to English
  1. ⲛⲉⲛⲓⲟϯ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉⲛ̀ⲥⲛⲏⲟⲩ
  2. ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲉϥⲟⲩⲣⲱ
  3. ⲛⲓⲟⲩⲣⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲩⲣⲱⲟⲩ
  4. ⲡⲁⲓⲱⲧ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲁⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉⲥⲟⲛ
  5. ⲡⲁ̀ⲁⲫⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉϥⲃⲁⲗ
  6. ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲛ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ
  7. ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ ⲡⲉⲛⲥⲱⲧⲏⲣ
  8. ⲛⲉⲛⲯⲩⲭⲏ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉⲛⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉⲛ̀ⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ
Exercise 3: Words of Scripture

Find the reference in the Coptic Bible App and see how it matches up with the translation:

  1. ⲡⲁⲥⲱⲙⲁ (Luke 22:9)
  2. ⲡⲉϥ̀ⲥⲛⲟϥ (Acts 20:28)
  3. ⲡⲉⲛⲓⲱⲧ (James 2:28)
  4. ⲡⲉⲛⲥⲱⲧⲏⲣ (2 Peter 3:2)
  5. ⲧⲉⲧⲉⲛ̀ⲁⲫⲉ (Acts 18:6)
  6. ⲡⲉⲧⲉⲛⲛⲁϩϯ (1 Peter 1:7)
  7. ⲡⲉⲛⲁϩϯ (Luke 7:50)
  8. ⲧⲉϫⲓϫ (Acts 4:28)

Resources

Lesson 4: Near Demonstrative Articles

Near Demonstrative Articles

Demonstratives refer to the English "this" and "that." The demonstrative "this" is called the near demonstrative since it refers to objects that are nearby (e.g. "this book") whereas "that" is called the far demonstrative since it refers to objects that are far away (e.g. "that book").

In Coptic, the near demonstratives can be denoted as an article attached to the noun, or as a pronoun.

Masculine (this) Feminine (this) Plural (these)
ⲡⲁⲓ- ⲧⲁⲓ- ⲛⲁⲓ-

When using the near demonstrative as an article, it describes the attached noun. You will notice that the first letter of the near demonstrative article is based on the gender and number of the object and are identical to the first letter of the definite (and possessive) articles:

The rest of the article is always ⲁⲓ-.

Examples
ⲡⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ this man ⲧⲁⲓ̀ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ this woman ⲛⲁⲓ̀ⲁⲗⲱⲟⲩ̀ⲓ these boys
ⲡⲁⲓⲥⲟⲛ this brother ⲧⲁⲓϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ this censer ⲛⲁⲓϫⲓϫ these hands
ⲡⲁⲓϣⲏⲣⲓ this son ⲧⲁⲓϣⲉⲣⲓ this daughter ⲛⲁⲓϩⲓⲟⲙⲓ these women
ⲡⲁⲓⲟⲩⲣⲟ this king ⲧⲁⲓⲟⲩⲣⲱ this queen ⲛⲁⲓⲓⲟϯ these fathers
ⲡⲁⲓⲟⲩⲏⲃ this priest ⲧⲁⲓⲉⲕ̀ⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ this church ⲛⲁⲓ̀ⲥⲛⲏⲟⲩ these brothers
ⲡⲁⲓ̀ϣⲫⲏⲣ this friend (m.) ⲧⲁⲓ̀ϣⲫⲉⲣⲓ this friend (f.) ⲛⲁⲓⲟⲩⲣⲱⲟⲩ these kings
ⲡⲁⲓ̀ⲁⲫⲟⲧ this cup ⲡⲁⲓⲱⲓⲕ this bread ⲡⲁⲓⲥⲱⲙⲁ this body

Application

Application 1:


   
   
Biblical Examples
   
   
ϧⲉⲛ ϯ̀ⲕⲣⲓⲥⲓⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲁⲓϫⲱⲟⲩ "in the Judgment with this generation" (Matthew 12:41)

Exercises

Exercise 1: Translate to Coptic

Translate the following phrases into Coptic:

Exercise 2: Translate to English

Translate the following phrases into English:

Exercise 3: Adapt the Hymn

The Veneration hymn ⲡⲓ̀ϩⲗⲟϫ is written for a singular male martyr. Adapt the words of the hymn to be for St Rebekah and her children (plural).

Ⲡⲓϩ̀ⲗⲟϫ ⲧⲉ ϯⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ: ⲡⲓϩ̀ⲗⲟϫ ⲫ̀ⲗⲁⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲑⲱⲟⲩϯ ϩⲁⲣⲟⲥ: ⲡⲓϩ̀ⲗⲟϫ ⲫ̀ⲗⲩⲙⲏⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ: ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲅⲓⲟⲥ (...) ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ Ⲡⲉⲛϭⲟⲓⲥ Ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ Ⲡⲓⲭ̀ⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ. Delight is the church, delight is the people assembled in it, delight is the image of this martyr, Saint (...) the martyr of our Lord Jesus Christ
Ⲡⲓϩ̀ⲗⲟϫ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ: ⲱ̀ ⲡⲓⲥⲱⲧⲡ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ Ⲡⲓⲭ̀ⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ: ⲡⲓϫⲱⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲇⲩⲛⲁⲧⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲥ̀ⲙⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩⲧ: ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲅⲓⲟⲥ (...) Delight is your holy name, O chosen one of Christ, the strong courageous and blessed one, O Saint (...)
Ⲉϣⲱⲡ ⲁⲛϣⲁⲛⲉⲣⲫ̀ⲙⲉⲩⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ: ⲁ̀ⲛⲟⲛ ϧⲁ ⲛⲓⲭ̀ⲣⲓⲥⲧⲓⲁⲛⲟⲥ: ⲉⲣⲉ̀ⲑⲉⲗⲏⲗ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ: ⲱ̀ ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲅⲓⲟⲥ (...). Whenever we mention your name, we the Christians, our hearts rejoice, O Saint (...).

Compare your results with the adaptation here: https://hymnologist.com/hymn/view/64 

Resources

Lesson 5: Indefinite Pronoun ⲕⲉ

Indefinite Pronouns

An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that does not refer to any person, place, or thing in particular. Some examples of indefinite pronouns in English are: "anything" - "something" - "anyone" - "anywhere" - "someone" - "somewhere" - etc.

Infix -ⲕⲉ-

The infix -ⲕⲉ- is a noninflectional word element that is inserted between the noun prefix and the noun. It expresses the meaning "other" and can be used with definite or indefinite articles, demonstrative articles and possessive articles without inflection. It is the only infix used with nouns.

ⲡⲓⲕⲉⲣⲱⲙⲓ the other man Definite Article (m.)
ⲛⲓⲕⲉⲣⲱⲙⲓ the other men Definite Article (f.)
ϯⲕⲉ̀ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ the other woman Definite Article (pl.)
ⲕⲉⲣⲱⲙⲓ* another man Indefinite Article (s.)
ϩⲁⲛⲕⲉⲣⲱⲙⲓ some other men Indefinite Article (pl.)
ⲡⲁⲓⲕⲉⲣⲱⲙⲓ this other man Demonstrative Article (m.)
ⲡⲁⲕⲉⲣⲱⲙⲓ my other man Possessive Article (1s.)
ⲡⲉⲕⲕⲉⲣⲱⲙⲓ your (m.) other man Possessive Article (2m.)
ⲡⲉⲕⲉⲣⲱⲙⲓ your (f.) other man Possessive Article (2f.)

*Note that for the singular indefinite noun, the singular indefinite article ⲟⲩ is dropped. However, in the case of the plural, the plural indefinite article ϩⲁⲛ is kept.

Application

 

Biblical Examples

ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲕⲉⲣⲱⲙⲓ ̀ⲧ̀ⲁⲛⲁⲥⲧⲁⲥⲓⲥ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲣⲉϥⲙⲱⲟⲩⲧ through another man [came] the resurrection of the dead (1 Cor 15:21)

Exercises

Exercise 1: Translate to Coptic

Translate the following into Coptic:


Exercise 2: Translate to English

Translate the following phrases into English:


Resources

"A Study in Bohairic Coptic" by Nabil Matar; p162

See Moawad Daoud Lesson 2

See Sameh Younan page 59 in the PDF

ACTS 2990 Introduction to the Coptic Language (Bohairic) with Hany Takla Lesson 3A