Language/Neapolitan/Grammar/Past-Participle-in-Napolitan

Past Participle in Neapolitan

Neapolitan, the vibrant and melodic language spoken in the Campania region of Italy, has a rich and fascinating grammatical structure. In this article, we will delve deep into the past participle in Neapolitan, its formation, usage, and irregularities. By the end of this comprehensive guide, you'll have a solid understanding of this essential aspect of Neapolitan grammar.

• Other Napolitan Lessons: Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: Possessive Case in Napolitan & Prepositions.

I. Formation of the Past Participle in Neapolitan

In Neapolitan, the past participle is formed by modifying the infinitive form of the verb. Just like in Italian, Neapolitan verbs are categorized into three main conjugation groups, based on the endings of their infinitives: -à, -è, and -ì.

Verbs ending in -à

For verbs ending in -à, the past participle is formed by replacing the -à with -atə.

For example:

• Parlà (to talk) -> Parlàtə (talked)
• Mangià (to eat) -> Mangiàtə (eaten)

Verbs ending in -è

For verbs ending in -è, the past participle is formed by replacing the -è with -utə.

For example:

• Tènè (to have) -> Tənutə (had)
• Vòlè (to want) -> Vòlutə (wanted)

Verbs ending in -ì

For verbs ending in -ì, the past participle is formed by replacing the -ì with -itə.

For example:

• Dìcì (to say) -> Dìcətə (said)
• Venì (to come) -> Venùtə (come)

II. Usage of the Past Participle in Neapolitan

Past Tense with Auxiliary Verbs

In Neapolitan, the past participle is primarily used to form compound tenses. The auxiliary verbs "avè" (to have) or "èssə" (to be) are conjugated to agree with the subject, and the past participle remains unchanged.

Examples:

• I' só avutə fàmə. (I was hungry.)
• Nuje simmə statə a Napule. (We went to Naples.)

Passive Voice

The past participle is also used to form the passive voice. In this case, the verb "èssə" (to be) is conjugated to match the subject, and the past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject.

Examples:

• La letterə è statə scrìttə. (The letter was written.)
• L'omə è statə arrestatə. (The man was arrested.)

As an Adjective

The past participle can also function as an adjective, describing a noun. In this case, it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies.

Examples:

• Na fèstə magnificàtə. (A magnificent party.)
• Dduje libbrə leggətə. (Two read books.)

III. Irregular Past Participles in Neapolitan

Some verbs have irregular past participles that don't follow the standard conjugation rules. Here are a few examples of common irregular past participles:

• Essə (to be) -> Statə (been)
• Irə (to go) -> I'tə (gone)
• Vedè (to see) -> Vistə (seen)

More Examples: Some Verbs in the Past Perfect in Napolitan

Verb : to love / amà

ENGLISH	NAPOLITAN
I have loved	Io aggio amato
You have loved	Tu aje amato
He has loved	Isso àve / ha amato
We have loved	Nuje avimme amato
You have loved	Vuje avite amato
They have loved	Lloro àveno / hanno amato

Verb : to speak / parlà

ENGLISH	NAPOLITAN
I have spoken	Io aggio parlato
You have spoken	Tu aje parlato
He has spoken	Isso ha / ave parlato
We have spoken	Nuje avimmo parlato
You have spoken	Vuje avite parlato
They have spoken	Lloro àveno / hanno parlato

Verb : to sleep / durmì

ENGLISH	NAPOLITAN
I have slept	Io aggio durmuto
You have slept	Tu aje durmuto
He has slept	Isso ave / ha durmuto
We have slept	Nuje avimmo durmuto
You have slept	Vuje avite durmuto
They have slept	Lloro àveno / hanno durmuto

Verb : to open / arapì

ENGLISH	NAPOLITAN
I have opened	Io aggio araputo
You have opened	Tu aje araputo
He has opened	Isso àve / ha araputo
We have opened	Nuje avimme araputo
You have opened	Vuje avite araputo
They have opened	Lloro àveno / hanno araputo

Other Lessons

• Past Tense
• Imperative Tense
• Future Tense
• Verbs in Napolitan
• How to Use Be
• Times in Napolitan
• How to Use Have
• Possessive Case in Napolitan
• Pronouns