Language/Classical-quechua/Grammar/Pronouns

Classical Quechua Grammar - Pronouns

Hi Classical Quechua learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on Classical Quechua pronouns. Pronouns are words that are used to replace nouns in a sentence. They are essential in building coherent and concise sentences.

Types of Pronouns

There are several types of pronouns in Classical Quechua. It is crucial to understand these types so that you can use them correctly in a sentence.

Personal Pronouns

Personal pronouns are used to refer to people or things that are involved in a sentence. They can have different forms depending on the subject, object, or possessive nature of the sentence. Below is a table showing the different forms of personal pronouns:

Classical Quechua	Pronunciation	English
Ni	/ni/	I, me
Ñuqa	/n̪uqa/	You (singular)
Pay	/paɪ/	He, She, It, Him, Her
Riqa	/rɪqa/	We, Us (inclusive)
Chan	/t͡ʃan/	We, Us (exclusive)
manta	/manta/	You (plural)
qampa	/qampa/	They (masculine)
nispay	/nispaɪ/	They (feminine)

Here's a dialogue so the reader can see the words in context:

• Person 1: Ñuqa rini kani. (You see me.)
• Person 2: Yupaqa ṭantaspañan. (No, I see the mountains.)

Note that in the first sentence, "ñuqa" is the subject (you) and "ni" is the object (me). In the second sentence, "yupaqa" is the subject (I) and "ṭantaspañan" is the object (the mountains).

Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns are used to point out specific people or things. They can be used to indicate something close or far from the speaker. There are two types of demonstrative pronouns in Classical Quechua:

• Kay (close to the speaker)
• Way (far from the speaker)

Here's an example of how demonstrative pronouns can be used:

Classical Quechua	Pronunciation	English
Kay wawa	/kaɪ wawa/	This baby (close to the speaker)
Way wawa	/waɪ wawa/	That baby (far from the speaker)

Interrogative Pronouns

Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions about people or things. They can be used to ask for information or clarification. In Classical Quechua, there are two main interrogative pronouns:

• Imayn (what)
• Pay (who)

Here's an example of how interrogative pronouns can be used:

• Person 1: Imayn rikuchkanki? (What are you doing?)
• Person 2: Qhapaq ñan wichan. (I am walking on the royal road.)

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns are used to refer to people or things in a non-specific way. They are used when the actual identity of the noun is unknown or irrelevant. Some examples of indefinite pronouns in Classical Quechua include:

• Mana (none, not)
• Paykuna (others)
• Kikin (some)

Here's an example of how indefinite pronouns can be used:

• Person 1: Mana yachanman. (I don't know anything.)
• Person 2: Paykuna kayqa saytaman. (The others went that way.)

Tips for using Pronouns

- Pay attention to the gender and number of the pronoun in relation to the noun it replaces. - Practice using pronouns in sentences and gradually introduce more complex sentence structures. - Don't be afraid to ask for help. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

To improve your Classical Quechua Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website.

Sources

• Quechuan languages
• Quechua grammar and lexicon

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