Coptic School

Syllabus

Vision

Welcome to the Coptic Grammar course!

For many years, I have had a deep desire to learn the Coptic Language. I want to speak Coptic. I want to understand the depth of the beauty of the hymns of our Church. I want to be able to read the Scripture in the Coptic language. And most importantly, I want to preserve my heritage for those who come after me and for my children. But this desire has been without measurable success. Learning a new language is hard. Learning a dead language is even harder.

For over a decade, I have read the Coptic Textbooks, taken the classes I can get my hands on, developed applications to help me learn Coptic (e.g. see this web app I created as part of my M.S. Computer Science at Georgia Tech https://coptic.morcous.com/). I took the class in Asaph almost 8 years ago, and the class in ACTS just two years ago. In all of these experiences, I grew in knowledge and appreciation for the Coptic Language, but my goal was not met. It became clear to me that I needed:

  1. Time. Learn Coptic at a reasonable pace, with reasonable practice (courses only have one semester!).
  2. Peers. People to learn Coptic with.

By God's grace, I found that we have a group in our Wednesday Advanced Hymns class that loves Coptic, is dedicated to attending the class, and is committed to growing in hymns and Coptic. So we will embark on this journey together, and may the Lord be in our midst.

The primary goal of the class is to be able to translate from Coptic to English. A secondary goal is to translate from English to Coptic, and to be able to make conversation. The secondary goal cannot be achieved without the primary goal.

By the end of the course, I hope that we can all take a hymn, prayer, response, Scriptural Passage, or any other Coptic text, and be able to translate it to English with at-most a dictionary.

Structure

The Structure of the course is as separate units.

Each unit has a common vocabulary that is used across all of its lessons. Each lesson in a unit consists of the material, examples, Biblical Examples, Application from the Church hymns and prayers, and Exercises. Each lesson will also reference back to the sources used for it.

Schedule

This course will be on Wednesday evenings from 8:15-9:00pm following the MS and HS Bible Studies. This is subject to change.

Assessment and Collaboration

At this time, there are no plans for formal assessment, or even making/distributing assignments. However, it will be good for us to work together.

Someone can put together quizlets for vocabulary words in every unit. Someone else may want to make Powerpoints to reference that take the content on the lesson pages and make it easier to understand. Someone may make labels for things around the house in Coptic that we can take and paste around the house to learn those words. There are many ideas and many creative minds in our group.

We may all share with one another and encourage one another when we find Coptic "in the wild" that we understood or that matches what we just learned.

In these ways, we raise each other up and together, with the Lord as our head, we can achieve our goals.

May the Lord use this service for the glory of His holy name

Morcous

Resources

Coptic Textbooks/Curricula

Interlinears

Coptic Dictionaries

Unit 1: Nouns and Articles

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
Unit 1: Nouns and Articles

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

Unit 1: Nouns and Articles

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

Unit 1: Nouns and Articles

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

Unit 1: Nouns and Articles

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

Unit 1: Nouns and Articles

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

Unit 2: Pronouns

Unit 2: Pronouns

Unit 2 Vocabulary

General Vocabulary

Coptic English Gender Irregular Plural
ϩⲱⲃ thing M ϩ̀ⲃⲏⲟⲩⲓ
ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ every M/F

Adjectives

Coptic English Gender Irregular Plural
ⲃⲉⲣⲓ new

ⲁⲡⲁⲥ old

ⲛⲓϣϯ great

ⲕⲟⲩϫⲓ small

ⲥⲁⲃⲉ wise
ⲥⲁⲃⲉⲩ
ⲥⲁⲃⲏ wise
ⲥⲁⲃⲉⲩ
ⲥⲟϫ fool (adj. foolish)

ⲛⲟⲩⲃ gold

ϩⲁⲧ silver

Body Parts

Coptic English Gender Irregular Plural
̀ⲁⲫⲉ head F ⲁⲫⲏⲟ̀ⲩⲓ
ϫⲓϫ hand F
ⲃⲁⲗ eye M
ⲣⲱ mouth M ⲣⲱⲟⲩ
ⲙⲁϣϫ ear M
ϣⲁⲓ nose M
ⲗⲁⲥ tongue M
ⲛⲁϫϩⲓ tooth F
ⲛⲁϩⲃⲓ neck F
ⲁⲙⲏⲣ arm M
ⲯⲩⲭⲏ soul F (Greek)
ⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ spirit M (Greek)
Inflected Adjectives
Coptic
 English
̀ⲙⲙⲁⲩⲁⲧ= only
ⲧⲏⲣ= all
ϩⲱ= also
̀ⲙⲙⲓⲛ ̀ⲙⲙⲟ= own
Unit 2: Pronouns

Lesson 1: Near Demonstrative Pronouns

Near Demonstrative Pronoun

Masculine (this) Feminine (this) Plural (these)
ⲫⲁⲓ ⲑⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲓ

A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun. For example, instead of saying "the man" we may say "him." Or instead of saying "the big brown chair," we may say "it." Demonstrative Pronouns work in the same way. When using the near demonstrative as a pronoun, it takes the place of a noun. For example instead of saying "this man" (and having the demonstrative "this" describe the subject "man"), you may want to say "this is the man" where the demonstrative "this" acts as a pronoun and the subject of the sentence, and "man" acts as the object.

Examples
<Definite Subject> ⲡⲉ/ⲧⲉ/ⲛⲉ <Definite Object> Translation
ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ  ⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ This is the man
ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲓϩⲓⲟⲙⲓ These are the women
ⲫⲁⲓ  ⲡⲉ ̀ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ̀ⲙⲫⲛⲟⲩϯ This is the Son of God
ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲁ̀ⲥⲛⲏⲟⲩ These are my brothers
Emphatic Construction

There is a special set construction in Coptic that uses both the Near Demonstrative Article and the Near Demonstrative Pronoun as a way of emphasis.

ⲡⲁⲓⲁⲫⲟⲧ ⲫⲁⲓ: Translating this literally would render "this chalice this" which is nonsense. A better way to translate the emphasis on the demonstrative is: "this very chalice."

We will see this construction in Application 1 below.

Application

Application 1: 

This is an excerpt from the Thanksgiving Prayer as prayed by the priest during the Divine Liturgy, the Crowning Ceremony and the Consecration of the Waters of Baptism. 

̀ⲁⲗⲓⲧⲟⲩ ̀ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲁⲣⲟⲛ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϩⲁ ⲡⲉⲕⲗⲁⲟⲥ ⲧⲏⲣϥ ⲛⲉⲙ ̀ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲁ ⲧⲁⲓ̀ⲧⲣⲁⲡⲉⲍⲁ ⲑⲁⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ̀ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲁ ⲡⲁⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ̀ⲛⲧⲁⲕ ⲫⲁⲓ. …take them away from us and from all Your people, and from this table, and from this Your holy place.
ⲛⲉⲙ ̀ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲁ ⲛⲁⲓⲡⲁⲧϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲛⲁⲓ and from this bridegroom and bride
ⲛⲉⲙ ̀ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲁ ⲧⲁⲓⲕⲟⲗⲩⲙⲃⲏⲑⲣⲁ ⲑⲁⲓ and from this basin
  1. ⲡⲉⲕⲗⲁⲟⲥ ⲧⲏⲣϥ - "All Your people"
    • The use of ⲧⲏⲣϥ (and ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ, ⲧⲏⲣⲉⲛ, etc.) will be covered in a future lesson, but it is commonplace and you should have a rough understanding of it by now

  2. ⲧⲁⲓ̀ⲧⲣⲁⲡⲉⲍⲁ ⲑⲁⲓ - "this very table"

  3. ⲡⲁⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ̀ⲛⲧⲁⲕ ⲫⲁⲓ - "this very place that is holy that is Yours"

  4. ⲛⲁⲓⲡⲁⲧϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲛⲁⲓ - "this very bridegroom and bride"
    • The noun here ϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ can mean bride or groom and in the plural typically means both.
    • In Arabic this is translated as العروسين, but there is no single word to represent that in English ("newlywed" might be the closest) so we translate it as "the bridegroom and bride."
    • Although it is plural, you see that in both Arabic and English we translated it as dual (Arabic through conjugation, English through listing two subjects). This is due to the context (i.e. a Crowning Ceremony with one bridegroom and one bride).

  5. ⲧⲁⲓⲕⲟⲗⲩⲙⲃⲏⲑⲣⲁ ⲑⲁⲓ - "this very basin"
Application 2:

These are responses from the Institution Narrative in the Divine Liturgy.

ⲫⲁⲓ ̀ⲁⲣⲧⲓϥ ̀ⲉⲡⲁⲉⲣ̀ⲫⲙⲉⲩ̀ⲓ This do in remembrance of Me
ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ. ⲁⲙⲏⲛ This is in truth. Amen.
ⲫⲁⲓ ⲟⲛ ⲡⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ. ⲁⲙⲏⲛ This also is in truth. Amen.
Application 3:

These are excerpts from the Confession Prayer at the end of the Liturgy (the priest's confession as well as the deacon's confession).

ϫⲉ ⲑⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ϯⲥⲁⲣⲝ ̀ⲛⲣⲉϥⲧⲁⲛϧⲟ... This is the life-giving flesh
ϯⲛⲁϩϯ ϯⲛⲁϩϯ ϯⲛⲁϩϯ ϫⲉ ⲑⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ ⲁⲙⲏⲛ I believe, I believe, I believe, that this is in truth. Amen.
Biblical Examples
ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ̀ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲓ "this is the king of the Jews" (Matthew 27:37)
ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲥⲱⲙⲁ "this is My Body" (Luke 22:19)
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:

Resources

Unit 2: Pronouns

Lesson 2: Personal Pronouns

Personal Pronouns

Pronouns take the place of a noun. We briefly introduced pronouns with the Demonstrative Pronouns in a previous lesson. In this lesson, we will examine the Personal Pronouns (i.e. pronouns that describe or take the place of a person).

Coptic English Person Number
ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I 1st Singular
ⲁⲛⲟⲛ We/Us 1st Plural
̀ⲛⲑⲟⲕ You (m.) 2nd Singular
̀ⲛⲑⲟ You (f.) 2nd Singular
̀ⲛⲑⲱⲧⲉⲛ You (pl.) or Y'all 2nd Plural
̀ⲛⲑⲟϥ He 3rd Singular
̀ⲛⲑⲟⲥ She 3rd Singular
̀ⲛⲑⲱⲟⲩ Them 3rd Plural
Examples
<Definite Subject> ⲡⲉ/ⲧⲉ/ⲛⲉ <Definite Object> Translation
ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ I am the man
ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲧⲉ ϯ̀ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ I am the woman
ⲁⲛⲟⲛ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ We are the men
̀ⲛⲑⲟ ⲧⲉ ϯϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ You are the censer
̀ⲛⲑⲟⲥ ⲧⲉ ϯ̀ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ She is the woman
ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲕⲟⲩϫⲓ I am the "small person" or "young person"
̀ⲛⲑⲟⲥ ⲧⲉ ϯⲟⲩⲣⲱ She is the queen
̀ⲛⲑⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ̀ⲫⲛⲟⲩϯ You are God
̀ⲛⲑⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ You are my God

Application

Application 1: 

This is an excerpt from . 

Application 2: 

This is an excerpt from  
Biblical Examples










Exercises

Exercise 1: Translate to Coptic

Translate the following into Coptic:

  1.  
Exercise 2: Translate to English

Translate the following phrases into English:


Resources
Unit 2: Pronouns

Lesson 4: Indefinite Pronoun ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ

Indefinite Pronoun ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ

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; p337, 341, 342

See Moawad Daoud Lesson 

See Sameh Younan page  in the PDF

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

Unit 2: Pronouns

Lesson 5: Genitive

Genitive

The Genitive is a preposition that is used to denote possession (i.e. when some noun or pronoun belongs to some other noun or pronoun). In Coptic, the Genitive can be denoted by one of the articles ̀ⲙ or ̀ⲛ, or the preposition ̀ⲛⲧⲉ.

Articles ̀ⲙ and ̀ⲛ

<possessed noun> ̀ⲙ<possessor> when the possessor noun starts with ⲙ ⲡ ⲃ ⲫ ⲯ.

<possessed noun> ̀ⲛ<possessor> in all other cases.

Examples:
̀ⲡⲏⲓ ̀ⲙⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ the house of the man
̀ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ̀ⲛϯⲃⲁⲕⲓ the king of the city
̀ⲡⲟⲩⲧⲁϩ ̀ⲙⲡⲓ̀ϣϣⲏⲛ the fruit of the tree
̀ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲟ ̀ⲙⲡⲓⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲓⲥⲟⲥ the door of the Paradise
̀ⲡϫⲓⲛ̀ⲓ ̀ⲙⲡⲓⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ the coming of Christ
̀ⲡϣⲱⲕ ̀ⲛϯⲙⲉⲧⲣⲁⲙⲁ̀ⲟ the depth of the riches
̀ⲑⲛⲉϫⲓ ̀ⲛϯⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ the womb of the Virgin
̀ⲡϣⲟⲩϣⲟⲩ ̀ⲛⲛⲓⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ the pride of the virgins
ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲓⲁ ̀ⲙ̀ⲡ̀ⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ̀ⲙ̀ⲡ̀ⲧⲓⲟⲟⲩ the Theotokia of Thursday

Preposition ̀ⲛⲧⲉ

<possessed noun> ̀ⲛⲧⲉ <possessor> 

The use of ̀ⲛⲧⲉ for the possessive can be used in any situation, but is especially used in the following situations:

  1. After an indefinite noun (e.g. ⲟⲩⲃⲱⲕⲓ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ⲫⲛⲟⲩϯ)
  2. Nouns with demonstrative prefixes (ⲡⲁⲓϫⲱⲙ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲁⲥⲟⲛ)
  3. Nouns with a following modifier (̀ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ̀ⲛϭⲁⲗⲉ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ̀ⲫⲣⲱⲙⲓ)
Examples:
ⲟⲩⲃⲱⲕⲓ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ⲫⲛⲟⲩϯ a servant (f.) of God
ⲡⲁⲓϫⲱⲙ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲁⲥⲟⲛ this book of my brother
̀ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ̀ⲛϭⲁⲗⲉ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ̀ⲫⲣⲱⲙⲓ the lame son of the man
ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲫⲛⲟⲩϯ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲉⲕⲓⲟϯ I am the God of your fathers
ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ⲫⲓⲱⲧ the Logos of the Father
̀ⲡϣⲟⲩϣⲟⲩ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲅⲉⲛⲟⲥ the pride of our race

Pronominal Possessor

<possessed noun> ̀ⲛⲧ= 

The pronominal form of the preposition ̀ⲛⲧⲉ is ̀ⲛⲧ=

1st Person S My ̀ⲛⲧⲏⲓ
2nd Person M Your (m.) ̀ⲛⲧⲁⲕ
2nd Person F Your (f.) ̀ⲛⲧⲉ
3rd Person M His ̀ⲛⲧⲁϥ
3rd Person F Her

̀ⲛⲧⲁⲥ
1st Person P Our ̀ⲛⲧⲁⲛ
2nd Person P Your (p.) ̀ⲛⲧⲱⲧⲉⲛ
3rd Person P Their ̀ⲛⲧⲱⲟⲩ
Examples:
ⲟⲩⲃⲱⲕ ̀ⲛⲧⲁⲕ a servant of yours
ⲡⲁⲓϫⲱⲙ ̀ⲛⲧⲁϥ this book of his
ϣⲟⲙⲧ ̀ⲛϣⲏⲣⲓ ̀ⲛⲧⲁⲥ three sons of hers

Possessive Pronouns

These pronouns are used in place of a possessive noun ("My <noun>")


 English m. Object f. Object p. Object
1st Person S Mine ⲫⲱⲓ ⲑⲱⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲓ
2nd Person M Yours (m.) ⲫⲱⲕ ⲑⲱⲕ ⲛⲟⲩⲕ
2nd Person F Yours (f.) ⲫⲱ ⲑⲱ ⲛⲟⲩ
3rd Person M His ⲫⲱϥ ⲑⲱϥ ⲛⲟⲩϥ
3rd Person F Hers ⲫⲱⲥ ⲑⲱⲥ ⲛⲟⲩⲥ
1st Person P Ours ⲫⲱⲛ ⲑⲱⲛ ⲛⲟⲩⲛ
2nd Person P Yours (p.) ⲫⲱⲧⲉⲛ ⲑⲱⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉⲛ
3rd Person P Theirs ⲫⲱⲟⲩ ⲑⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲩ
Examples:
ⲑⲱⲕ ⲧⲉ ϯϫⲟⲙ Yours is the power
ⲫⲱⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲕⲁϩⲓ ⲧⲏⲣϥ Yours is all the earth
ⲫⲱⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ ϣⲁ ⲛⲓⲉⲛⲉϩ Yours is the glory forever
ⲡⲁⲓϫⲟⲓ ⲫⲱϥ ⲡⲉ this ship is his
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; p424

See Moawad Daoud Lesson 

See Sameh Younan page  in the PDF

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

Unit 4: Nominal Sentences

Unit 4: Nominal Sentences

Unit 4 Vocabulary

Numbers (1-10)


 Masculine Feminine English
ⲁ̅ ⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⲟⲩⲓ One
ⲃ̅ ̀ⲥⲛⲁⲩ ̀ⲥⲛⲟⲩϯ Two
ⲅ̅ ϣⲟⲙⲧ ϣⲟⲙϯ Three
ⲇ̅ ̀ϥⲧⲟⲩ ̀ϥⲧⲟⲩ̀ⲉ Four
ⲉ̅ ̀ⲧⲓⲟⲩ ϯ̀ⲉ Five
ⲋ̅ ⲥⲟⲟⲩ ⲥⲟ Six
ⲍ̅ ϣⲁϣϥ ϣⲁϣϥⲓ Seven
ⲏ̅ ̀ϣⲙⲏⲛ ̀ϣⲙⲏⲛⲓ Eight
ⲑ̅ ⲯⲓⲧ ⲯⲓϯ Nine
ⲓ̅ ⲙⲏⲧ ⲙⲏϯ Ten

Occupational Nouns

Coptic English Gender Irregular Plural
ⲃⲱⲕ servant M ⲉⲃⲓⲁⲓⲕ
ⲃⲱⲕⲓ servant F ⲉⲃⲓⲁⲓⲕ
ⲥⲁϧ writer M/F ⲥϧⲟⲩⲓ
ⲣⲉϥⲱϣ reader M
ⲁⲛⲁⲅⲛⲱⲥⲧⲏⲥ reader M
ⲣⲉϥϩⲱⲥ singer M
ⲣⲉϥϯⲥⲃⲱ teacher M
ⲣⲉϥⲉⲣϩⲓⲕⲱⲛ iconographer M
ⲥⲏⲓⲛⲓ physician M/F
ⲣⲉϥϯⲱⲙⲥ baptizer M
ⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ prophet M/F
ⲓⲉⲣⲟⲯⲁⲗⲧⲏⲥ psalmist M
ⲙⲁⲛⲉⲥⲱⲟⲩ shepherd/shepherdess M/F
ⲁⲣⲭⲏⲇⲓⲁⲕⲱⲛ
ⲁⲣⲭⲏⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ		 archdeacon M
ⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ deacon M
ⲟⲩⲏⲃ priest M
ⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲩⲧⲉⲣⲟⲥ presbyter (priest) M
ⲉⲡⲓⲥⲕⲟⲡⲟⲥ bishop M
ⲙⲉⲧⲣⲟⲡⲟⲗⲓⲧⲏⲥ metropolitan M
ⲡⲁⲧⲣⲓⲁⲣⲭⲏⲥ patriarch M
ⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ monastic M/F
ⲁⲥⲕⲏⲧⲏⲥ hermit M
ⲁⲣⲭⲏⲙⲁⲛ̀ⲇⲣⲓⲧⲏⲥ archimandrite M
ⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ apostle M
ⲙⲁⲑⲏⲧⲏⲥ disciple M
ⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲥⲧⲏⲥ evangelist M
ⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ martyr M/F
ⲙⲉⲛⲣⲓⲧ beloved M/F ⲙⲉⲛⲣⲁϯ
ⲥⲧⲣⲁⲧⲓⲗⲁⲧⲏⲥ general M


Unit 4: Nominal Sentences

Lesson 1: Nominal Tripartite Sentences (Definite Predicate)

Sentences

A sentence is a set of words that contains a subject (what the sentence is about) and a predicate (what is said about the subject). The predicate always contains a verb.

Nominal Sentences

In Coptic, a sentence can be made in which a noun or noun equivalent serves as the predicate (i.e. without the use of a verb). This is called a Nominal Sentence. In English, this would look something like: "Very interesting, those books!" The subject is "those books" and the predicate is "very interesting." The verb is implied to be "be (is/are)" (i.e. "Those books 'are' very interesting.").

In Coptic, there are three patterns of nominal sentences:

Copula

The copula is a connecting word; in particular, it is a form of the verb "to be" connecting a subject and a complement. In English, an example would be "You smell nice." Instead of "Your smell is nice" which uses the "is" conjugation of the verb "be," "smell" acts as a copula.

In Coptic, there are three copulas.

Masculine (am/is) Feminine (am/is) Plural (are)
ⲡⲉ ⲧⲉ ⲛⲉ

In this section, we will study a couple forms of a tripartite sentence. In a future lesson, we will look at bipartite sentences. Tripartite sentences have three components:

It can take on several forms depending on whether the predicate is definite or indefinite. The rules for choosing the gender and number of the copula are as follows:

  1. When both the subject and object are nouns and agree in gender and number with each other, the copula will also agree in gender and number with them.
  2. If there is a disagreement in gender or number, then the copula in the masculine form (ⲡⲉ) is used.
  3. If the subject is a pronoun in the 1st or 2nd person (i.e. ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲁⲛⲟⲛ ̀ⲛⲑⲟⲕ ̀ⲛⲑⲟ ̀ⲛⲑⲱⲧⲉⲛ) then the masculine singular form (ⲡⲉ) is used regardless of the gender and number of the object.

In a sentence, the subject is who or what the sentence is about (and more specifically, the noun or pronoun that performs the verb in the sentence); the predicate gives more information about the subject. For example, in English:

Definite Predicate

There are several forms of a nominal tripartite sentence. The first structure is used when both the subject and the object are definite noun phrases. At this point, we can define a "definite noun phrase" as any of the following; nouns with a definite article, nouns with a possessive article, nouns with a demonstrative article, pronouns.

Note that the word "predicate" is the more accurate term for what is referred to as the "object" below. However, "predicate" has a different meaning in Coptic than in English. In English, the "predicate" includes the verb (or copula). For that reason, I've chosen to use the word "object."

<Definite Subject> <Copula> <Definite Predicate>

<Definite Predicate> <Copula> <Definite Subject>

Definite Subject Copula Definite Object Translation
ⲡⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲓⲱⲧ This man is my father
ⲡⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲓⲱⲧ This man is the father
ⲧⲁⲓ̀ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ ⲧⲉ ϯⲙⲁⲩ This woman is the mother
ⲧⲁⲓ̀ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲟⲩⲙⲁⲩ This woman is their mother
ⲛⲁⲓⲭⲣⲏⲥⲧⲓⲁⲛⲟⲥ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲉⲛϣⲏⲣⲓ ̀ⲙⲫⲛⲟⲩϯ These Christians are the children of God
ϯⲟⲩⲣⲱ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲁ̀ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ The queen is my mother

What is the difference between the subject and object in this case? How do you know if the noun is the subject or the object? Does it even matter?

Consider the following [English] sentence: "I am the ruler." - What is the subject and what is the predicate/object? It is ambiguous! If the sentence is in response to the question "Who is the ruler?," then "the ruler" is the subject and "I" is the object. If the sentence is in response to the question "Who are you?" then "I" is the subject and "the ruler" is the object.

Application

Application 1: 

This is an excerpt from the Reconciliation Prayer of the Liturgy of St Gregory. 

ⲛⲑⲟⲕ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥⲥⲁϩⲛⲓ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ̀ⲫⲣⲉϥϯ ̀ⲛⲛⲓ̀ⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲛ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ For you are the provider and the giver of all goodness

Application 2: 

This is an excerpt from the Diptych of the Liturgy of St Gregory. 

̀ⲛⲑⲟⲕ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲡⲉ ⲫⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲡⲓⲛⲁⲏⲧ For you are God the merciful
Application 3:

The hymn ⲡⲓ̀ϩⲗⲟϫ.

 

Biblical Examples
̀ⲛⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ̀ⲡⲥⲱϯ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲉⲛⲛⲟⲃⲓ He is the propitiation of our sins (1 John 2:2)

Exercises

Exercise 1: Translate to Coptic

Translate the following into Coptic:

  1.  
Exercise 2: Translate to English

Translate the following phrases into English:

  1.  ̀ⲛⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲁⲗⲟⲩ
  2. ̀ⲛⲑⲟⲥ ⲧⲉ ϯ̀ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ
  3. ̀ⲛⲑⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲥⲟⲛ
  4. ̀ⲛⲑⲟ ⲧⲉ ϯⲥⲱⲛⲓ
  5. ̀ⲛⲑⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲓϩⲓⲟⲙⲓ
Exercise 3: Practice Text

Translate the following text:

ⲱ ⲧⲉⲛⲙⲁⲩ ̀ⲧ̀ⲁⲅⲓ̀ⲁ Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϯⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ ̀ⲁⲛⲟⲛ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲉϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ̀ⲛⲑⲟ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉⲛⲙⲁⲩ. ⲁⲛⲟⲛ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲓϣⲏⲣⲓ ̀ⲙⲡⲉϣⲏⲣⲓ ̀ⲙⲙⲉⲛⲣⲓⲧ. ̀ⲛⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲛϭⲟⲓⲥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ̀ⲁⲛⲟⲛ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲉϥ̀ⲉⲃⲓⲁⲓⲕ. ̀ⲛⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲓⲱⲧ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ̀ⲁⲛⲟⲛ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲉϥϣⲏⲣⲓ.

Resources

Unit 4: Nominal Sentences

Lesson 2: Nominal Tripartite Sentences (Indefinite Predicate)

Indefinite Predicate Sentences

There are two forms of nominal tripartite sentences when the object is indefinite. These forms are translated to English in the same way as the ones with a definite object.

The forms are:
<Definite Subject> <Indefinite Object> <Copula>

<Definite Subject> <Indefinite Object> ⲡⲉ/ⲧⲉ/ⲛⲉ Translation
ⲡⲁⲓⲱⲧ ⲟⲩⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲡⲉ my father is a man
ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲟⲩⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲡⲉ I am a man
ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲟⲩ̀ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ ⲧⲉ I am a woman
̀ⲛⲑⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲙⲁⲩ ⲧⲉ She is a mother
̀ⲛⲑⲱⲟⲩ ϩⲁⲛϩⲓⲟⲙⲓ ⲛⲉ They are women
̀ⲛⲑⲟϥ ⲟⲩⲣⲉϥϯⲥⲃⲱ ⲡⲉ He is a teacher
ⲡⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲟⲩⲥⲏⲓⲛⲓ ⲡⲉ This man is a physician
ⲡⲁⲥⲟⲛ ⲟⲩⲥⲏⲓⲛⲓ ⲡⲉ My brother is a physician
ⲡⲁⲓⲱⲧ ⲟⲩⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲩⲧⲉⲣⲟⲥ ⲡⲉ My father is a presbyter (priest)

<Indefinite Object> <Copula> <Definite Subject>

<Indefinite Object> ⲡⲉ/ⲧⲉ/ⲛⲉ <Definite Subject> Translation
ⲟⲩⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲡⲉ  ⲡⲁⲓⲱⲧ my father is a man
ⲟⲩⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I am a man
ⲟⲩ̀ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ ⲧⲉ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I am a woman

Application

Application 1: 

This is an excerpt from  

Application 2: 

This is an excerpt from 
Biblical Examples
ⲧⲉϥϩⲉⲃⲥⲱ ⲟⲩ̀ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ϩⲁⲛϥⲱⲓ ̀ⲛϭⲁⲙⲟⲩⲗ ⲧⲉ His clothing is from camel hairs (Matthew 3:4)
ⲓⲱⲥⲏⲫ ⲇⲉ ⲡⲉⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲛⲉ ⲟⲩ̀ⲑⲙⲏⲓ ⲡⲉ Joseph, her husband, was a righteous [person] (Matthew 1:19)
ⲟⲩ̀ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ ⲉϥⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲡⲉ He is the one from a holy spirit (Matthew 1:20)
ⲟⲩ̀ⲙϩⲁⲩ ⲉϥⲟⲩⲏⲛ ⲡⲉ ⲧⲟⲩ̀ϣⲃⲱⲃⲓ an open tomb is their throat (Psalms 13:4)
ⲛⲓϩⲁⲡ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡϭⲟⲓⲥ ϩⲁⲛϩⲁⲡ ̀ⲙⲙⲏⲓ ⲛⲉ The judgments of the Lord are true judgments (Psalms 18:9)

Exercises

Exercise 1: Translate to Coptic

Translate the following into Coptic:

  1.  
Exercise 2: Translate to English

Translate the following phrases into English:

  1. ̀ⲛⲑⲟϥ ⲟⲩⲁⲗⲟⲩ ⲡⲉ
  2. ̀ⲛⲑⲟⲥ ⲟⲩ̀ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ ⲧⲉ
  3. ̀ⲛⲑⲟⲕ ⲟⲩⲥⲟⲛ ⲡⲉ
  4. ̀ⲛⲑⲟ ⲟⲩⲥⲱⲛⲓ ⲧⲉ
  5. ⲁⲛⲟⲛ ϩⲁⲛ̀ⲥⲛⲏⲟⲩ ⲛⲉ
  6. ̀ⲛⲑⲱⲧⲉⲛ ϩⲁⲛϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛⲉ
  7. ̀ⲛⲑⲱⲟⲩ ϩⲁⲛϩⲓⲟⲙⲓ ⲛⲉ
Exercise 3: Practice Text

Translate the following text:

Resources

Unit 4: Nominal Sentences

Lesson 3: Nominal Bipartite Sentences

Nominal Bipartite Sentences

In the previous lessons, we studied several forms of Nominal Tripartite Sentences. They are enumerated here:

<Definite Subject> <Copula> <Definite Object>
<Definite Object> <Copula> <Definite Subject>
<Definite Subject> <Indefinite Object> <Copula>
<Indefinite Object> <Copula> <Definite Subject>

We defined a Tripartite Sentence as a sentence with three parts (hence the name), so naturally a Bipartite Sentence will be a sentence with two parts. We'll use the same building blocks as in the last two lessons.

We have two forms of Nominal Bipartite Sentences:

<Subject> <Object>

In this sentence structure, the copula or the "is/am/are" is assumed and understood by the context of the sentence. This structure is common found with personal pronouns as the subject, although it could be used with a regular definite noun as the subject. This structure is also commonly found when a demonstrative pronoun is the object.

<Subject> <Object> Translation
ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲟⲩ̀ⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ I am a prophet
̀ⲛⲑⲟⲕ ⲡⲓⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ You are the Christ
ⲁⲛⲟⲛ ϩⲁⲛⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲓ We are Jews
ⲡⲁϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲫⲁⲓ This is my son
ⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲟⲩ̀ⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ The man is a prophet

<Object> <Copula>

In this sentence structure, the subject is assumed to be the relevant pronoun (i.e. it, he, they, etc.), and the object is what is specified. The object here can be an indefinite noun, a definite noun, a possessive noun, a pronoun, etc.

<Object> <Copula> Translation
ⲡⲁⲓⲱⲧ ⲡⲉ he is my father
ⲧⲁⲙⲁⲩ ⲧⲉ she is my mother
ⲛⲁ̀ⲥⲛⲏⲟⲩ ⲛⲉ they are my brothers
ⲡⲓⲥⲁⲃⲉ ⲡⲉ he is the wise one
ϯⲥⲁⲃⲏ ⲧⲉ she is the wise one
ⲟⲩⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲡⲉ he is a man
ⲟⲩ̀ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ ⲧⲉ she is a woman
ϩⲁⲛⲉϫⲏⲟⲩ ⲛⲉ they are ships
ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ this is it (m.)
ⲑⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ this is it (f.)
ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉ they are these

Naturally, this would take on a different translation when the object is a personal pronoun (since it doesn't make much sense to say "he is him" or "she is her").

<Object> <Copula> Translation
ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ it is I
ⲁⲛⲟⲛ ⲛⲉ it is us
̀ⲛⲑⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ it is you (m.)
̀ⲛⲑⲟ ⲧⲉ it is you (f.)
̀ⲛⲑⲱⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉ it is you (pl.)
̀ⲛⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ it is him
̀ⲛⲑⲟⲥ ⲧⲉ it is her
̀ⲛⲑⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲉ it is them

Application

Application 1: 

This is an excerpt from <>. 

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

Unit 4: Nominal Sentences

Lesson 4: Negative Nominal Sentence Construction

Indefinite Pronoun -ⲕⲉ-

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. 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.

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.)

*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.

Nominal Sentences: Negative Construction

All of the nominal sentences we have taken so far are of positive construction (e.g. "This man is my father"). Negating the sentence (e.g. "This man is not my father") is achieved by placing the particle ̀ⲛ (sometimes ̀ⲙ) before the object and ⲁⲛ before the copula. Below, we will discuss negating both types of bipartite sentences, and all four types of tripartite sentences that we have taken thus far.

When do we use ̀ⲛ versus ̀ⲙ? ̀ⲙ is used when the following letter is: ⲙ ⲡ ⲃ ⲫ ⲯ

<Object> <Copula>

ⲡⲁⲓⲱⲧ ⲡⲉ he is my father
̀ⲙⲡⲁⲓⲱⲧ ⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ he is not my father
ⲟⲩⲉⲡⲓⲥⲕⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲡⲉ he is a bishop
̀ⲛⲟⲩⲉⲡⲓⲥⲕⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ he is not a bishop

<Subject><Object>

This sentence type cannot be negated. To negate it, you will need a copula which will make it a tripartite sentence.

<Definite Subject> <Copula> <Definite Object>

ⲡⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲓⲱⲧ this man is my father
ⲡⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ ̀ⲙⲡⲁⲓⲱⲧ this man is not my father
ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ this is the man
ⲫⲁⲓ ⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ ̀ⲙⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ this is not the man

<Definite Object> <Copula> <Definite Subject>

ⲡⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲓⲱⲧ my father is this man
̀ⲙⲡⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲓⲱⲧ my father is not this man

<Definite Subject> <Indefinite Object> <Copula>

ⲧⲁⲙⲁⲩ ⲟⲩⲥⲁϧ ⲧⲉ my mother is a teacher
ⲧⲁⲙⲁⲩ ̀ⲛⲟⲩⲥⲁϧ ⲁⲛ ⲧⲉ my mother is not a teacher

<Indefinite Object> <Copula> <Definite Subject>

ⲟⲩ̀ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ ⲧⲉ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I am a woman
̀ⲛⲟⲩ̀ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ ⲁⲛ ⲧⲉ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I am not a woman

Application

Application 1: 

This is an excerpt from the Orthodox Creed. 

ⲟⲩⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ̀ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ: ⲟⲩⲛⲟⲩϯ ̀ⲛⲧⲁ̀ⲫⲙⲏⲓ ̀ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲛⲟⲩϯ ̀ⲛⲧⲁ̀ⲫⲙⲏⲓ. ⲟⲩⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲟⲩⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ ⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ: ⲟⲩ̀ⲟⲙⲟⲟⲩⲥⲓⲟⲥ ⲡⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ ̀ⲫⲓⲱⲧ light of light; true God of true God; begotten not created, of one essence with the Father
  1. ⲟⲩⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲡⲉ - he is begotten

  2. ⲟⲩⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ ⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ - he is not created

  3. ⲟⲩ̀ⲟⲙⲟⲟⲩⲥⲓⲟⲥ ⲡⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ ̀ⲫⲓⲱⲧ - he is one essence with the father

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

Unit 4: Nominal Sentences

Lesson 5: Relative Nominal Sentence Construction

Interrogative Form

Application

Application 1: 

This is an excerpt from <>. 

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

Unit 4: Nominal Sentences

Lesson 6: Interrogatives

Interrogative Form

Application

Application 1: 

This is an excerpt from <>. 

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

Unit 5: Prepositions

Unit 5: Prepositions

Unit 5 Vocabulary

Nouns Around the House

Coptic English Gender Irregular Plural
























Church Nouns

Coptic English Gender Irregular Plural
ϥⲁⲓϩⲓⲕⲱⲛ iconostasis m
ⲗⲓⲝ veil m
̀ⲧⲣⲓⲁⲧⲓⲕⲟⲛ triangle f
ⲕⲩⲙⲃⲁⲗⲟⲛ cymbal m
ⲙⲟⲗϩ candle m
ϥⲁⲓⲙⲟⲗϩ candlestand m
ⲕⲁⲧⲁⲙⲉⲣⲟⲥ lectionary m
ⲙⲁ̀ⲛⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ lectern

ⲥⲧⲩⲗⲗⲟⲥ pillar

ⲙⲁ́ⲛⲉⲣϣⲱⲟⲩϣⲓ altar

ⲧⲟⲧⲥ seat/chair (refers to the throne that holds the chalice on the altar)

ⲙⲏⲥⲧⲏⲣ refers to the spoon used in the distribution of the Mysteries

ⲥⲓⲟⲩ

star

ⲡⲓⲥⲓⲟⲩ refers to the star/dome that covers the Body of Christ in the Eucharist

ⲇⲓⲥⲕⲟⲥ

dish/disk

refers to the panten

ⲏⲣⲡ wine

ϥⲁⲓϫⲱⲙ book holder

Prepositions

Coptic English Pronominal Form
ϧⲉⲛ in ̀ⲛϧⲏⲧ⁼
ϩⲓ on (i.e. on something moving) ϩⲓⲱⲧ⁼
ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ upon (i.e. on something stationary) ϩⲓϫⲱ⁼
ⲉ to ⲉⲣⲟ⁼
ϣⲁ to ϣⲁⲣⲟ⁼
ϩⲁ to ϩⲁⲣⲟ⁼
ϧⲁ under ϧⲁⲣⲟ⁼
ⲛⲉⲙ with ⲛⲉⲙ⁼
ⲉⲑⲃⲉ because ⲉⲑⲃⲏⲧ⁼
ⲛⲁϩⲣⲉⲛ in the presence of, before ⲛⲁϩⲣⲁ⁼
̀ⲛⲥⲁ behind ⲛⲥⲱ⁼
ϩⲓⲣⲉⲛ at the mouth of; at the entrance of ϩⲓⲣⲟ⁼
ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ through ϩⲓⲧⲟⲧ⁼
̀ⲛ, ̀ⲙ, ̀ⲛⲧⲉ of ̀ⲙⲙⲟ⁼
ⲟⲩⲃⲉ against ⲟⲩⲃⲏ⁼
ⲁⲧϭⲛⲉ without ⲁⲧϭⲛⲟⲩ⁼
ⲟⲩⲧⲉ between ⲟⲩⲧⲱ⁼


Unit 3: Adjectives

Unit 3: Adjectives

Unit 3 Vocabulary

Numbers (1-10)


 Masculine Feminine English
ⲁ̅ ⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⲟⲩⲓ One
ⲃ̅ ̀ⲥⲛⲁⲩ ̀ⲥⲛⲟⲩϯ Two
ⲅ̅ ϣⲟⲙⲧ ϣⲟⲙϯ Three
ⲇ̅ ̀ϥⲧⲟⲩ ̀ϥⲧⲟⲩ̀ⲉ Four
ⲉ̅ ̀ⲧⲓⲟⲩ ϯ̀ⲉ Five
ⲋ̅ ⲥⲟⲟⲩ ⲥⲟ Six
ⲍ̅ ϣⲁϣϥ ϣⲁϣϥⲓ Seven
ⲏ̅ ̀ϣⲙⲏⲛ ̀ϣⲙⲏⲛⲓ Eight
ⲑ̅ ⲯⲓⲧ ⲯⲓϯ Nine
ⲓ̅ ⲙⲏⲧ ⲙⲏϯ Ten

Occupational Nouns

Coptic English Gender Irregular Plural
ⲃⲱⲕ servant M ⲉⲃⲓⲁⲓⲕ
ⲃⲱⲕⲓ servant F ⲉⲃⲓⲁⲓⲕ
ⲥⲁϧ writer M/F ⲥϧⲟⲩⲓ
ⲣⲉϥⲱϣ reader M
ⲁⲛⲁⲅⲛⲱⲥⲧⲏⲥ reader M
ⲣⲉϥϩⲱⲥ singer M
ⲣⲉϥϯⲥⲃⲱ teacher M
ⲣⲉϥⲉⲣϩⲓⲕⲱⲛ iconographer M
ⲥⲏⲓⲛⲓ physician M/F
ⲣⲉϥϯⲱⲙⲥ baptizer M
ⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ prophet M/F
ⲓⲉⲣⲟⲯⲁⲗⲧⲏⲥ psalmist M
ⲙⲁⲛⲉⲥⲱⲟⲩ shepherd/shepherdess M/F
ⲁⲣⲭⲏⲇⲓⲁⲕⲱⲛ
ⲁⲣⲭⲏⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ		 archdeacon M
ⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ deacon M
ⲟⲩⲏⲃ priest M
ⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲩⲧⲉⲣⲟⲥ presbyter (priest) M
ⲉⲡⲓⲥⲕⲟⲡⲟⲥ bishop M
ⲙⲉⲧⲣⲟⲡⲟⲗⲓⲧⲏⲥ metropolitan M
ⲡⲁⲧⲣⲓⲁⲣⲭⲏⲥ patriarch M
ⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ monastic M/F
ⲁⲥⲕⲏⲧⲏⲥ hermit M
ⲁⲣⲭⲏⲙⲁⲛ̀ⲇⲣⲓⲧⲏⲥ archimandrite M
ⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ apostle M
ⲙⲁⲑⲏⲧⲏⲥ disciple M
ⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲥⲧⲏⲥ evangelist M
ⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ martyr M/F
ⲙⲉⲛⲣⲓⲧ beloved M/F ⲙⲉⲛⲣⲁϯ
ⲥⲧⲣⲁⲧⲓⲗⲁⲧⲏⲥ general M


Unit 3: Adjectives

Lesson 1: Attributive Construction

Attributive Construction

See 3B lesson 2.4.i

Examples:
ⲇⲓⲁⲑⲏⲕⲏ ̀ⲙⲃⲉⲣⲓ New Testament
ⲇⲓⲁⲑⲏⲕⲏ ̀ⲛⲁⲡⲁⲥ Old Testament
ϯϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ ̀ⲛⲛⲟⲩⲃ The golden censer (the censer of gold)


Exercises

Exercise 1: Translate to Coptic

Translate the following into Coptic:


Exercise 2: Translate to English

Translate the following phrases into English:

  1. ⲡⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ̀ⲛⲁⲣⲭⲏⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ

Resources

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

See Moawad Daoud Lesson 

See Sameh Younan page in the PDF

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

Unit 3: Adjectives

Lesson 2: Compound Nouns (ⲙⲉⲧ-, ⲣⲉϥ-, ⲣⲉⲙ-)

Compound Nouns

Nabil Matar p 488

ⲙⲉⲧ-
ⲣⲉϥ-
ⲣⲉⲙ-


Examples:
   
   
   


Exercises

Exercise 1: Translate to Coptic

Translate the following into Coptic:


Exercise 2: Translate to English

Translate the following phrases into English:

  1. ⲡⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ̀ⲛⲁⲣⲭⲏⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ

Resources

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

See Moawad Daoud Lesson 

See Sameh Younan page in the PDF

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

Unit 3: Adjectives

Lesson 3: Compound Nouns (ⲥⲁ, ⲙⲁ)

Compound Nouns

Nabil Matar p 488, 441

ⲙⲁ
ⲥⲁ


Examples:






Exercises

Exercise 1: Translate to Coptic

Translate the following into Coptic:


Exercise 2: Translate to English

Translate the following phrases into English:

  1. ⲡⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ̀ⲛⲁⲣⲭⲏⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ

Resources

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

See Moawad Daoud Lesson 

See Sameh Younan page in the PDF

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

Unit 3: Adjectives

Lesson 4: Inflected Adjectives

Inflected Adjectives

See 3B lesson after 2.4.iii

Examples:






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; p

See Moawad Daoud Lesson 

See Sameh Younan page  in the PDF

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

Unit 3: Adjectives

Lesson 5: Qualitatives as Adjectives

Qualitative

Nabil Matar p 447


Examples:






Exercises

Exercise 1: Translate to Coptic

Translate the following into Coptic:


Exercise 2: Translate to English

Translate the following phrases into English:

  1. ⲡⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ̀ⲛⲁⲣⲭⲏⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ

Resources

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

See Moawad Daoud Lesson 

See Sameh Younan page in the PDF

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

Unit 6: Verbs

Unit 6: Verbs

Unit 6 Vocabulary

Unit 6: Verbs

Introduction to Verbs

Verbs

Verbs are words that show an action, an occurrence, or a state of being. Almost every sentence requires a verb (though we have studied in a previous unit the nominal sentences and shown how the copula is a replacement for the verb). There are two types of verbs: Transitive verbs and Intransitive verbs.

Transitive Verbs require a direct object (noun, pronoun or noun phrase). For example, the verb "like" requires two nouns a subject (that which "likes"), and an object (that which is "liked"). Intransitive verbs do not require a direct object. For example, the verb "play" only requires a subject - that which "plays."

The basic form of the verb is called the infinitive. The verb is conjugated to produce several different forms which are called verb tenses.

English Verb Tenses

In English, there are three verb tenses: Past, Present and Future; and there are additional aspects that give extra details: Simple, Perfect, Continuous, Perfect Continuous. These details include what actions happened first, whether a past action has an impact on the present, the length of time the action occurred, etc.

Past Tense
Present Tense
Future Tense

Verb Tenses in Other Languages

You may think "what other tenses can there be? Past, present, future... that's all one needs." To give an example, we can look at Spanish. Spanish has 18 verb tenses (compared to English's 12). The Conditional tense in Spanish is expresses the equivalent of "would + verb" construction in English (e.g. "I would eat"). A related tense is the Conditional Perfect (e.g. "I would have eaten"). Although we can still express these ideas in English, we don't consider them tenses.

We will find a similar situation in Coptic.