We have studied the imperative forms. In this unit we will look at how to form negative imperatives: commands that tell someone to not do something.

Negative imperatives in K’iche’ are inflected as indicative verbs but take m(a)- as aspect marker instead. Negative imperatives, therefore, neither take imperative suffixes (-a/-oq; -v(‘)), nor the imperative ch- prefix. They do take, however, the same phrase final markers as incompletive transitive/intransitive verbs.

Negative imperatives can also be formed in passive and antipassive constructions, as we will see later on.

1.Chinq’ab’aroq Let me get drunk! 2.Qach’aya’! Let us hit him/her/it! 3.Chrelaq’aj! Let him/her/it steal it!

4. Chaloq’o jun tara’s! Buy a peach!

Maloq’ le tara’s! m-ø-a-loq’ Don’t buy the peach!

5. Chab’isonoq

Mab’isonik ma-ø-b’ison-ik May he/she/it not be sad!

 

nikaj chik	the rest of, half, remainder
chanim	now
ixim	corn
chajinel	guard; police
jab’	rain
q’oyi'(k) (vit)	to lie down (positional: see unit 25)
b’in(ik) (vit)	to walk
ch’aw(ik) (vit)	to talk
b’insaj (vtr)	to walk something; to make something walk (as in walking a dog); to drive a vehicle
mub’a (vtr)	to soak
koj(o) (vtr)	to use; to believe
ta(to) (vtr)	to listen
esaj (vtr)	to take out
tara’s	peach

Translate the following sentences into English:

1. Mib’an ix jas kakib’an le e nik’aj chik winaq!
2. Mita ix jas kakib’ij le e nik’aj chik winaq!
3. Mamub’a le ixim!
4. Minril le chajinel!
5. Match’awik!
6. Mojb’e cho (chuwach) le jab’!
7. Mitij le iwa!
8. Miniwiye’ej!
9. Matq’oyi’ pa le ch’at!
10. Mamub’a awib’ cho le jab’!

Answers

1. Do not do what other people do! (you all, formal)
2. Do not listen to what other people say! (you all, formal)
3. Do not soak the corn!
4. Let the police not see me!
5. Do not talk!
6. Let us not go out in the rain!
7. Do not eat! (you all)
8. Do not wait for me!
9. Do not lie down on the bed!
10. Do not get wet in the rain!

Translate and rewrite the following phrases with negated imperatives:

1. Wara alaq pa le ja kamik!
2. Qakojo le k’ak’ atz’yaq!
3. Chiya’a le nik’aj chi rikil pa le t’u’y!
4. Chatija le awa chanim!
5. Chinto’o la che le chak!
6. Katchakuna pa wulew chwe’q!

Answers

1. ¡Mawar alaq pa le ja kamik!
2. ¡Maqakoj le k’ak’ atz’yaq!
3. ¡Miya’ le nik’aj chi rikil pa le t’u’y!
4. ¡Matij le awa chanim!
5. ¡Minto’ la che le chak!
6. ¡Matchakun pa wulew chwe’q!

Translate the following phrases into K’iche’:

1. Don’t take the cookie (kaolin wa) out of the cookie jar (k’olb’al wa)!
2. Let her not walk the dog!
3. Let him not walk around at night!
4. You all, don’t get drunk!
5. Don’t put your stuff in my backpack (chin)! Put it in your backpack!
6. Don’t eat my food! Eat your food!
7. Let them not help him! He needs to fend for himself. (to’ –ib’)
8. Don’t fall! (very common phrase used for leave-taking)

Answers

1. Mawesaj le kaxlan wa pa le k’olb’al kaxlan wa!
2. Muk’am b’i le tz’i’ pa jun b’inem!
3. Mab’in chaq’ab’!
4. Mixq’ab’arik!
5. Maya ajastaq chupam le nuchim! Chaya’a chupam le achim.
6. Matij le nuwa! Chatija le awa at!
7. Makito’o! Rajawaxik kuto’ rib’.
8. Mattzaqik!