In this lesson, we will learn about several helping (i.e. auxiliary) verbs.
The following shows the common use of some auxiliary verb-construction (in English auxiliary verbs are usually followed by the infinitive, like in I want to cry). In K’iche’ a second full verb is often used after the auxiliary.
Kowinik “to be able to”: The main verb follows a form of “kowinik,” with which it agrees in person and aspect.
Kinkowinik kimb’ek. K-in-kowin-ik k-im-b’e-k INC-1sing-be able to-pfm INC-1sing-go-pfm. I can go.
Xatkowinik xab’ano. x-at-kowin-ik x-a-b’an-o COMP-2sing-be able to-pfm COMP-2sing-do-pfm. You were able to do it. / You could do it.
Kinkowinik kink’am b’i le pwaq we karaj le nutat. k-in-kowinik k-in-k’am b’i le pwaq we ka-r-aj le nu-tat INC-1sing-be able to INC-1sing-take directional art. money if INC-3sing-want art. my-dad I can take away the money if my dad wants.
La kakowin alaq kinto’ alaq? La ka-Ø-kowin alaq k-in-Ø-to’ alaq? INT INC-Ø-be able to 2pl INC-1sing-Ø-help? Can you all (formal) help me?
| Kawaj ka-w-aj I want (it) | Kaqaj Ka-q-aj We want (it) |
| Kawaj k-aw-aj You want (it) | Kiwaj k-iw-aj You (pl) want (it) |
| Kaj la K-Ø-aj la You (formal) want (it) | Kaj alaq k-Ø-aj alaq You (formal, pl) want (it) |
| Karaj ka-r-aj He/she wants (it) | Kakaj ka-k-aj They want (it) |
Xawaj xab’ano. x-aw-aj x-a-b’an-o COMP-2sing-aj COMP-2sing-do-pfm You wanted to do it.
La kaj la kujtzalij la aninaq? La k-Ø-aj la k-uj-tzalij la aninaq? INT INC-Ø-want 2sing,formal INC-1pl-return dir. fast Do you (formal) want us to return here quickly?
La kaj la koje’xojowa chwe’q? La k-Ø-aj la k-oj-e’-xojow-a chwe’q? INT INC-Ø-want 2sing,form. INC-1pl-incorporated movement-dance-PFM tomorrow Do you (formal) want us to go dance tomorrow?
Rajawaxik “it is necessary”, “to need”: The irregular passive stem (ajawaxik) of the verb aj “want” becomes the base for the phrase rajawaxik “it is necessary.” The subject and nature of the need is expressed in a following verb. “Rajawaxik” may also be used as a noun: a necessary thing.
Rajawaxik katzijon le nan ruk’ le tat. It is necessary that the mom talk to the dad.
Rajawaxik kaya’ kan le pwaq wuk’ in. It is necessary to leave the money with me.
Rajawaxik kaya’ kan le qawa rumal le aj ik’. It is necessary that our maid give us food.
Jas rajawaxik kab’anik? What must be done?/ What’s necessary to be done?
Chab’ij chwe we k’o jun rajawaxik. Tell me if you have a need/if you need something.
Tajin : describes an ongoing action or an event happening at the same time as another (“progressive” English: I am/was talking). In K’iche this idea is expressed by the word katajin(ik), which is the followed by a transitive or intransitive verb in the incompletive aspect (with proper person). In colloquial speech katajin is shortened to tajin.
Progressive action in incompletive: katajin + verb in incompletive: Katajin ku’l le winaq chanim. The people are arriving now. Progressive action in completive : katajin + verb in incompletive; context makes it clear that event is in the past time: Katajin kajosq’ix le ulew aretaq xinopan chi la’. The land was being cleaned when I arrived there. Progressive in future time: katajin + verb; context makes it clear that event takes place in the future: Katajin kewa’ le winaq aretaq xujok pa ja. The people will be eating when we enter the house.Here are a few more examples:
Katajin kujwa’ik. We are eating.
Katajin kixukunaj le itat. Your father is healing you (all).
Katajin kinkunax waral. I am being healed here.
Katajin kekunataj le e yawab’ib’. The sick people are being healed.
La katajin kakunan le ajkun che la? Is the doctor healing you (formal)?
Lal katajin kakunan la le ne’. You (formal) are healing the baby.
| k’ulanem | wedding |
| ab’ix | cornfield, milpa |
| eleb’al | bathroom |
| uwach ulew | the (face of the) Earth |
| sutz’ | cloud |
| b’inel ja’ | river |
| k’is(o) (vtr) | to finish, to run out |
| tzaj(ik) (vit) | to dry up |
| b’in(ik) (vit) | to walk, (to go, to move) |
| k’iy(ik) (vit) | to grow (plants) |
Translate the following phrases into English:
- La kakowin alaq kab’e alaq pa le nuk’ulanem?
- We kawaj kab’ano, katkowinik kab’ano.
- Sib’alaj kakowin le ali kaxojowik.
- Rajawaxik le jab’ arech kak’iy le ab’ix.
- Rajawaxik kinb’e pa le eleb’al.
- Rajawaxik kinb’e pa ro’ch le a Wel.
- Rajawaxik kaqachajij le uwach ulew.
- Katajin kab’in le sutz’ chwach le kaj.
- Katajin katzaj taq le b’inel taq ja’ pa iximulew.
- Katajin kak’is le che’ pa we qatinamit.
Answers
- Can you all (formal) come to my wedding?
- If you want to do it, you can do it.
- The young woman can really dance.
- Rain is needed so that the cornfield can grow.
- I need to go to the bathroom
- I need to go to Manuel’s house.
- We need to protect the world.
- The cloud is walking across the sky.
- The rivers are drying up in Guatemala.
- The jail is being finished in our town.