Language/Classical-quechua/Grammar/How-to-Use-Have

Classical Quechua Grammar - How to Use "Have"

Hi Classical Quechua learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to use the verb "have" in Classical Quechua. As a Classical Quechua language teacher for the past 20 years, I will illustrate the lesson with cultural information and interesting facts. Let's get started!

Introduction

The verb "have" in Classical Quechua is used to express possession or ownership. In this lesson, we will cover the different forms of the verb "have" and how to use them correctly in sentences.

The Forms of "Have"

The verb "have" in Classical Quechua has three main forms: "qan", "wan" and "wanmi".

The first form, "qan", is used for possession of first and second person singular. For example:

Classical Quechua	Pronunciation	English
qanmi	/kani/	I have
qanku	/kan̪ku/	You have

Here's an example dialogue to illustrate the use of "qan":

• Person 1: "Qanmi llapaqmi." (/kani llapakmi/) (I have a pencil.)
• Person 2: "Qanmikunata rikuchkanki." (/kani.ɡunata rikutʃkan̪ki/) (You should keep your pencils.)

The second form, "wan", is used for possession of third person singular. For example:

Classical Quechua	Pronunciation	English
wanchu	/wan̪tʃu/	He/she/it has

Here's an example dialogue to illustrate the use of "wan":

• Person 1: "Wanchu wasi." (/wan̪tʃu wasi/) (He/she/it has a house.)
• Person 2: "Wanchu riqsichu." (/wan̪tʃu riqsitʃu/) (He/she/it has a garden.)

The third form, "wanmi", is used for possession of third person plural. For example:

Classical Quechua	Pronunciation	English
wanmi	/wan̪mi/	They have

Here's an example dialogue to illustrate the use of "wanmi":

• Person 1: "Wanmi qhapaq." (/wan̪mi ʔapaq/ ) (They have money.)
• Person 2: "Wanmi taytakunamanta rikuchkan." (/wan̪mi tajtakunaman̪ta rikutʃkan̪/) (They should respect their parents.)

Using "Have" in Sentences

To use the verb "have" in Classical Quechua sentences, we need to put the subject first, then the verb, and finally the object. Here are some examples:

Classical Quechua	Pronunciation	English
Qanmi wayqunaqa kachun.	/kani wajqunaqa katʃun̪/	I have a brother.
Wanchu rimakunapaqmi mamayta.	/wan̪tʃu rimakunapaqmi mamajta/	She has a beautiful mother.
Wanmisqa punllapaq llapan.	/wan̪misqa pun̠ʎapaq ʎapaŋ/	They have a big farm.

Cultural Information

The concept of possession and ownership is important in Classical Quechua culture. Traditionally, there was a communal system of land ownership in many Andean communities. Nowadays, land ownership has become more individualized, but the sense of community ownership still remains.

Interesting Facts

Did you know that in some Andean communities, there is a belief that objects have a spirit or life force? This belief is known as "ayni", which represents reciprocity, balance, and harmony between humans, nature and objects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the verb "have" in Classical Quechua is an important part of the language. By using the correct form and sentence structure, you can express possession and ownership. Remember, the best way to learn is to practice! To improve your Classical Quechua Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

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