In this unit we will learn to construct imperative forms with positional roots.
Lupe and Xwan play a game utilizing imperative forms of positional verbs:
Imperative forms of intransitive positional verbs take Set B person agreement marking; the corresponding imperative suffixes are -a in phrase medial position and –oq in phrase-final position. The required TAM marker is ch- (or k-).
The imperative base is the stative positional stem, formed by adding +Vrl to the root, unless the last consonant of the positional root is either r or l in which case the suffix is +Vn.
Imperative forms of transitive positional verbs take the suffix –Vb’a in which V is the root vowel.
Examples
–Vl
1.
Q’oy pos. root: lying down
The drunk man is lying down.
Lie down!
Lie the baby down!
2.
T’uy pos. root: sitting
We are already sitting on the bench.
You all, sit down! (formal)
(You all) set down the cooking pot!
3.
Tak’ pos. root: standing tall
The woman is standing in front of the city hall.
(You all) stand up at once!
Set father on his feet!
+Vn
4.
K’ul pos. root: marry
We are already married.
Marry Francisca!
My parents gave me away in marriage (married me off).
More examples:
Sit! (you, formal sing)
Sit!
Sit on the bed!
Sepi'(k) | sit kneeling |
Xuki'(k) | kneeling on both knees |
Ch’uki'(k) | sitting in a squatting position |
Xeki'(k) | hanging/dangling from a nail |
Nak’i'(k) | glued |
Tani'(k) | to stop, to come to an end |
Ch’oki'(k) | kneeling with one leg up |
Translate the following phrases into English:
- Chojk’ulanoq!
- Chinq’oyoloq!
- “Chojq’oyoloq,” xub’ij le qanan.
- T’akala la chuchi’ le ja!
- Chatt’uyula waral!
Translate the following phrases into K’iche’:
- Let them sit on the chair!
- Stand up! (you, formal)
- Let us lie in the bed!
- Sit!
- Let me stand up!