12.1 Forms of the Verbs: Coptic verbs has two distinct types, the Infinitive and the Qualitative. The Infinitive is further divided into three different forms, the Absolute, the Construct, and the Pronominal. Some verbs have all these distinctive forms or types while others have one, two, or three. The following are some examples of common verbs used:
|
|||||||
Absolute |
Construct |
Pronominal |
|||||
i | ------ |
------ |
To come | n/ou | To be coming | ||
cmou | ------ |
------ |
To bless | cmarwout | To be blessed | ||
twoun | ten- | twn= | To rise | ------ |
------ |
||
,w | ,a- | ,a= | To put | ,/ | To be put, be | ||
swpi | ------ |
------ |
To become | sop | To be, exist | ||
[i | [i- | [it= | To take | [/ou | To be taken | ||
] | ]- | t/i= | To give | toi | To be given |
12.2 Meaning and Uses:
12.2.1 Meaning: The infinitive is the elementary form of the verb and it always expresses its action. The Qualitative, on the other hand, expresses the quality or the result of the veb action.
12.2.2 Uses: The Absolute and the Qualitative are used with Bipartite tenses such as Present, Simple Future, Imperfect, ..etc. The Absolute, the Construct, and the Pronominal are used with the Tripartite tenses, such as First Perfect, Present of Habitude, Future Energetic, ... etc.
a.f.,a nen.nobi nan ebol | He has forgiven us our sins |
f.,/ neman | He is with us |
saf.t/if sa pi.epickopoc | He usually gives it to the bishop |
a.f.sop qen tai.polic | He is in this city |
12.3 Numbers:
12.3.1 Simple Numbers:
Number |
Masculine |
Feminine |
||
1 | a | ouai | oui | |
2 | b | cnau | b] | cnou] |
3 | g | somt | g] | som] |
4 | d | ftwou ftou- | ||
5 | e | ]ou (tiou) | ||
6 | 6 | coou | ||
7 | z | sasf | z] | sasfi |
8 | / | sm/n | /] | sm/ni |
9 | y | 'it | y] | 'i] |
10 | i | m/t, met- | i] | m/] |
20 | k | jwt | k] | jw] |
30 | l | map, mab | ||
40 | m | hme | ||
50 | n | teoui, taiou | ||
60 | x | ce | ||
70 | o | sbe, sfe | ||
80 | p | qamne | ||
90 | f | picteoui | ||
100 | r | se | ||
200 | c | s/i | ||
1,000 | a | so | ||
10,000 | yba |
12.3.2 Composite Numbers: Between 11 and 99, the numeral is formed by placing the tens before the ones. For hundreds and thousands, the single unit is placed before the hundred or the thousand unit and they joined by the particle 'n-', except for the numeral 'two'. For combination of ones, tens, and hundreds, they are arranged as in the same order the numeral is written. Examples:
Number |
Numeral |
Written Form |
12 | ib | metcnau |
24 | kd | jwt ftwou |
300 | t | somt nse, somt se |
400 | u | ftwou nse, ftwou se |
500 | v | tiou nse, tiou se |
900 | r | 'it nse, 'it se |
101 | ra | se ouai |
111 | ria | se metouai |
163 | rxg | se ce somt |
251 | cna | cnau se nem teoui ouai |
12.4 Abbreviation (Sacra Nomina): Coptic uses an abbreviated form of certain sacred words. Such practice was adopted from the Jewish tradition. The most common ones are as follows:
Word |
Abbreviation |
Meaning |
all/louia | al | Halleluia |
dauid | dad | David |
eyouab | eyu | Holy |
yeoc | yc | God |
ieroucal/m | il/m | Jerusalem |
i/couc | i/c | Jesus |
iwann/c | iwa | John |
kurie | ke | Lord |
marturoc | ` | Martyr |
p[oic | p[c | Lord |
pi,rictoc | p,c | Christ |
pneuma | pna | Spirit |
cwt/r | cwr | Savior |
ctauroc | ~ | Cross |
uioc | uc | son |
vnou] | v] | God |