Language/Macedonian/Grammar/How-to-Use-Be
Hi Macedonian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will explore how to use the verb "be" in Macedonian. The verb "be" is very important in any language because it is used to create sentences that convey existence, identity, and relationships between things. So, let's start!
Don't hesitate to look into these other pages after completing this lesson: Common Prepositions & Nouns: Gender and Plurals.
What is "Be"?[edit | edit source]
"Be" is a verb that functions as the copula, or link verb, in Macedonian. It is used to connect a subject to a predicate, describing the subject's state of being or identity. In Macedonian, "be" is translated as "сум" (sum). Here are some examples:
Macedonian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Јас сум | Jas sum | I am |
Ти си | Ti si | You are |
Тој е | Toj e | He is |
Таа е | Taa e | She is |
Ние сме | Nie sme | We are |
Вие сте | Vie ste | You are |
Тие се | Tie se | They are |
Present Tense[edit | edit source]
In the present tense, "be" is used to describe a current state of being. Here is the conjugation of "be" in the present tense:
Macedonian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Сум | Sum | I am |
Си | Si | You are |
Е | E | He/She/It is |
Сме | Sme | We are |
Сте | Ste | You are |
Се | Se | They are |
For example, let's use "be" in a sentence:
- Јас сум ученик. (Jas sum uchenik.) - I am a student.
In this sentence, "sum" is used to link "jas" (I) to "uchenik" (student), indicating that "I" am in a state of being a student at the present time.
Now, let's add some cultural information as well. In Macedonia, education is highly valued and students are expected to be serious about their studies. Most schools in Macedonia require students to wear uniforms, regardless of their age or grade level.
Past Tense[edit | edit source]
In the past tense, "be" is used to describe a past state of being. Here is the conjugation of "be" in the past tense:
Macedonian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Бев | Bev | I was |
Беше | Beshe | You were |
Беше | Beshe | He/She/It was |
Бевме | Bevme | We were |
Бевте | Bevte | You were |
Беа | Bea | They were |
For example, let's use "be" in a sentence:
- Јас бев ученик. (Jas bev uchenik.) - I was a student.
In this sentence, "bev" is used to link "jas" (I) to "uchenik" (student), indicating that "I" was in a state of being a student in the past.
Now, let's add some interesting facts. Did you know that the Cyrillic alphabet, which is used to write Macedonian, was invented by two brothers from Thessaloniki, who were Byzantine missionaries in the 9th century? The brothers, Cyril and Methodius, created the alphabet to help them translate the Bible into Slavic languages. As a result, Macedonian and other Slavic languages are written with Cyrillic characters to this day.
Future Tense[edit | edit source]
In the future tense, "be" is used to describe a future state of being. Here is the conjugation of "be" in the future tense:
Macedonian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Ќе бидам | Kje bidam | I will be |
Ќе бидеш | Kje bidesh | You will be |
Ќе биде | Kje bide | He/She/It will be |
Ќе бидеме | Kje bideme | We will be |
Ќе бидете | Kje bidete | You will be |
Ќе бидат | Kje bidat | They will be |
For example, let's use "be" in a sentence:
- Ќе бидам ученик. (Kje bidam uchenik.) - I will be a student.
In this sentence, "bidam" is used to link "jas" (I) to "uchenik" (student), indicating that "I" will be in a state of being a student in the future.
Now, let's create a dialogue so you can see "be" in action:
- Person 1: Ти си нов тука? (Ti si nov tuka?) - Are you new here?
- Person 2: Да, сум нов. (Da, sum nov.) - Yes, I am new.
In this dialogue, "sum" is used to link "jas" (I) to "nov" (new), indicating that "I" am in a state of being new in this situation.
To improve your Macedonian grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Gender
- Adverbs
- Nouns
- Give your Opinion
- Articles
- Negation
- Questions
- Adjectives
- Conditional Mood
- Future Tense
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Macedonian language - Wikipedia
- A Grammar of Macedonian | Slavica Publishers
- Macedonian grammar - Wikipedia