Language/Corsican/Grammar/How-to-Use-Be
Hi Corsican learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will explore how to use the verb "to be" in Corsican. Just like in English, "to be" is an essential verb in Corsican that indicates existence, identity, or the nature of something. Mastering the use of "to be" in Corsican can improve your communication skills and help you express yourself with more precision. So get ready to learn and practice! But before we dive in, don't forget that to improve your Corsican Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Let's start by having a quick overview of the verb "to be" in Corsican.
1. Overview
The verb "to be" in Corsican is "esse" or "è". It is a highly irregular verb and therefore needs to be learned by heart. Here are some examples of "to be" in present tense:
Corsican | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
u toccu di a chjaveonu | yu TO-kku dee ah CHJa-veh-OH-noo | I am the owner of the car |
sì, stu hè u mio babbu | see, stew eh oo MEE-oo BAH-boo | Yes, this is my father |
nimu hè perfettu | NEE-moo eh pair-FEH-too | Nobody is perfect |
sò cum'è un scagnu | so koo-MEH oon SKAH-nyoo | I am like a dog |
As you can see, "to be" is used to link a subject with a quality, identity, or state. It can be translated in English as "am", "is", "are", depending on the subject.
2. How to Use "To Be" in Corsican
Here are some simple rules to follow to use "to be" correctly in Corsican:
2.1 Present Tense
In present tense, "to be" is conjugated as follows:
Corsican | English |
---|---|
sò | I am |
si | you are (informal) |
ellu hè | he is |
iddu hè | he is (Southern dialect) |
ella hè | she is |
essa hè | she is (Southern dialect) |
no simu | we are |
voi sì | you are (plural) |
ellu sò | they are |
iddi sò | they are (Southern dialect) |
Notice that "to be" takes different forms depending on the subject and the dialect, but they all follow a similar pattern. Here are some examples:
- Person 1: Bonghjornu! Come stai? (Good morning! How are you?)
- Person 2: Sì bè, grazie. E tù? (I am fine, thanks. And you?)
- Person 1: U so nome hè Paule Chjara. (My name is Paule Chjara.)
- Person 2: Bonghjornu, Paule Chjara. Sò Andria. (Good morning, Paule Chjara. I am Andrea.)
- Person 1: Sèno esiste micca...? (Isn't fairies don't exist...?)
- Person 2: Nimu hè perfettu, ma sì, esistenu... (Nobody is perfect, but yes, they exist...)
- Person 1: Tuscu hè un lingua vicinu à l'italianu, nò? (Corsican is a language close to Italian, isn't it?)
- Person 2: Sì, hè cusì. Ma ghjè dinò ben distintu. (Yes, it is. But it is also very distinct.)
2.2 Past Tense
In past tense, "to be" is conjugated as follows:
Corsican | English |
---|---|
fussi | I was |
fussisti | you were (informal) |
ellu fù | he was |
iddu fù | he was (Southern dialect) |
ella fù | she was |
essa fù | she was (Southern dialect) |
fummu | we were |
fussiti | you were (plural) |
ellu fussi | they were |
iddi fussi | they were (Southern dialect) |
Here are some examples of "to be" in past tense:
- Person 1: In quant'è tempu fussi à Bastia? (How long were you in Bastia?)
- Person 2: Fussi per sette ghjorni. (I was there for a week.)
- Person 1: Una ghjornata ghjustu, idda hè stata quì. (Yesterday, she was here.)
- Person 2: Serà? Iddu fù disoccupatu! (Really? He was unemployed!)
- Person 1: Era un francesu ùn veru. (He was not really a Frenchman.)
- Person 2: Ughjave una faccia da talianu! (He had an Italian face!)
2.3 Future Tense
In future tense, "to be" is conjugated as follows:
Corsican | English |
---|---|
saraghju | I will be |
sarai | you will be (informal) |
ellu sarà | he will be |
iddu sarà | he will be (Southern dialect) |
ella sarà | she will be |
essa sarà | she will be (Southern dialect) |
saremu | we will be |
sarate | you will be (plural) |
ellu saraghju | they will be |
iddi saraghju | they will be (Southern dialect) |
Here are some examples of "to be" in future tense:
- Person 1: Avà, chè farai? (Now, what will you do?)
- Person 2: Serà ughjale, saraghju in u mio lettu... (Tonight, I will be in my bed...)
- Person 1: Iddu tornerà à tempu per mussà l'ingressu? (Will he come back in time to show the entrance?)
- Person 2: Speriamu, ellu sarà sempre à ritrunu. (We hope so, he will always come back.)
- Person 1: Ma in futuru, chì ne sarià di noi? (But in the future, what will become of us?)
- Person 2: Un populu chì sarà sempre forti, sì nò? (A people that will always be strong, isn't it?)
3. Common Expressions with "To Be"
"To be" is also often used in common expressions that you might encounter in everyday conversation. Here are some examples:
Corsican | English |
---|---|
sì, sì | yes, indeed |
ùn sì, mica | no, not at all |
sì certu | of course |
cusì cum'è | like |
ùn hè micca | it is not |
esse à cuntrariu | to be on the contrary |
à tèmpu | at the right time |
à u lettu | in bed |
à modu | in a way |
Here is an example of how these expressions can be used:
- Person 1: Sì certu ch'è una bella ghjurnata? (Of course, it is a beautiful day, isn't it?)
- Person 2: Cum'è ùn vede nunda. (I don't see anything.)
- Person 1: Ò scupartu, sì Andria? (Excuse me, are you Andrea?)
- Person 2: Ùn sì, sì à cuntrariu. (No, on the contrary.)
- Person 1: Sò veru, ùn hè micca facile travaglià in aghjencia. (It's true, it is not easy to work in an agency.)
- Person 2: Ma ùn hè micca cusì cum'è in ogni postu. (But it is not like that everywhere.)
4. Conclusion
Congratulations, you have reached the end of this lesson about "to be" in Corsican! We hope that you have learned some useful tips and that you feel more confident in using this crucial verb. Remember, the best way to learn Corsican is to practice and immerse yourself in the language. Don't hesitate to reach out to Corsican speakers on Polyglot Club, find native speakers, and ask them any questions you might have. Keep up the good work and don't give up! A prestu! (See you soon!)
➡ 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. 😎
Related Lessons
- Negation
- Plurals
- Adjectives
- Personal pronouns
- Give your Opinion
- Questions
- How to Use Have
- Future Tense
- Conditional Mood