In K’iche’, the positional k’o and other words derived from it refer to location and existence. Its range of meanings include “to have,” “to exist,” and “to be.”
Intransitive positional verb k’oji’(k):
Incompletive aspect Kink’oji’(k) I am/I will be. Completive aspect xink’oji’(k) I was. Imperative aspect (stem: k’ol) Chink’oloq! Let me be!K’ola la Be! (2nd person, formal)
Perfective aspect (stem: k’olinaq) In k’olinaq. I have been. Stative form (stem: k’o/ k’olik) In k’olik. I am.
K’o la. You are (formal).
La k’ax at k’olik? Are you in pain?
Negated stative (maj)
In maj. I am not
Maj. It is not/ No.
Jawi katb’e wi? – Maj kimb’e wi Where are you going? – I am not going anywhere.
Possession: k’o + possessed noun
K’o nuwuj. I have a book.
La k’o awe? Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
Some examples:
K’o ri achi pa ja. The man is at home.
Xek’oji’ ri winaq pa nimaq’ij. The people were at the party (fiesta).
Uj k’olinaq chila’ pa tinamit. We have been there in town.
E maj qachalal aretaq xujopan pa ko’ch. Our relatives were not there when we arrived at their house.
K’ola na la. Na kab’e ta la chanim. Stay a while. Don’t go yet (formal).
| Ajkun | doctor, curandero, healer |
| Kunab’al | medicine |
| Yawab’ | sick |
| K’ax | pain, ailment |
| “Utz b’a la” | “Alright, then.” Common phrase to express agreement. |
| Amaq’ | country |
| Nimaq’ij | party, celebration, fair |
| B’is | sadness |
Translate the following sentences to K’iche’:
- Is your father home, children?
- There is no one home.
- Have you (alaq) been in the town behind that mountain there?
- Do you have your medicine?
- Were you at the party?
Answers
- La k’o le itat, ak’alab’.
- Maj k’o pa ja.
- La k’olnaq alaq pa le tinamit je la’, chirij le juyub’
- La k’o akunab’al.
- La xatk’oji’ pa le nimaq’ij.
- Naj xujk’oji’ pa tinamit aretaq xujb’e pa nimaq’ij.
- Jawi k’o wi le ro’ch le ajkun?
- Naj k’o wi le tinamit che le wo’ch.
- In k’olinaq pa le amaq’ Estados Unidos.
- La katk’oji’ na, nan?
Answers
- We stayed a long time in the town when we went to the party.
- Where is the doctor’s house?
- The town is far from my house.
- I have been to the United States.
- Will you still be here, ma’am?