In this lesson we will learn reflexive and reciprocal constructions, as well as some nominal phrases that utilize them.
In reflexives constructions, the subject and object of transitive verbs are the same. In K’iche’ they are formed with the relational noun –ib’ “self” following the verb. With some exceptions, -ib’ agrees in person and number with the verbal subject, as in English.
Reflexives constructions require a transitive verb, which may be a completive passive. In honorific address, the pronouns la/alaq are used once, after the reflexive noun (see the example below).
| w-ib’ | myself | q-ib’ | ourselves |
| aw-ib’ | yourself (informal) | iw-ib’ | y’all’s selves (informal) |
| ib’ la | yourself (formal) | ib’ alaq | y’all’s selves (formal) |
| r-ib’ | her/his/its self | k-ib’ | themselves |
Kintijoj wib’ I study.
Katijoj awib’ You study.
Kutijoj rib’ He/she studies.
Katijoj ib’ la. You (formal, sg) study.
Kaqatijoj qib’. We study
Kitijoj iwib’. You all study.
Kakitijoj kib’. They study.
Katijoj ib’ alaq. You all (formal) study.
In the plural, reflexive constructions can have a reciprocal meaning “with each other”
Kaqariq qib’ chwe’q. We will meet each other tomorrow.
A colloquial way to say good-bye:
Qaqil chi (na) qib’! We will see each other! See you later!
The reflexive marker –ib’ occurs also in nouns. It does not take possessive markers if it is not possessed.
Ilb’al ib’ Mirror.
Xinloq’ jun wilb’al wib’. I bought a mirror for myself.
K’exb’em ib’ The difference.
Jas le uk’exb’em rib’ le jun ruk’ le jun chik? What is the difference between this one and the other one?
Riqoj ib’ The meeting.
K’o jun riqoj ib’. There is a meeting.
K’o jun qariqoj qib’ chwe’q. We have a meeting tomorrow.
Owan ib’ Hide-and-seek (name of the game).
Ke’tz’an le ak’alab’ chech owan ib’ The children play hide-and-seek.
Xib’in ib’ A scare.
Le nimaq’ij rech Halloween jun nimalaj xib’in ib’. Halloween is a big scare.
Tzuqb’al qib’ Something that you use to make a living; that which feeds us, puts food on the table.
Are le nuchak jun tzuqb’al wib’. My work is what puts food on the table.
| chajij | to guard; to take care of |
| chajij -ib’ | to be careful; to take care of one’s self |
| ch’ab’ej | to talk with somebody |
| ch’ab’ej -ib’ | to talk with each other |
| xe’j ib’//xib’ij | to be frightened, scared; to frighten |
| kamsaj | to kill |
| riq(o) | to find |
| riq -ib’ | to meet up |
| esaj/elesaj | to take out; to remove |
| esaj ib’ | to remove one’s self (from); to quit something |
| tijoj | to teach |
| tijoj -ib’ (che) | to study; to teach one’s self |
| ch’aj | to wash/to bathe/shower |
| ch’ajoj -ib’ | to wash one’s self |
| b’an ub’anik -ib’ | to prepare |
| tas -ib’ | to become independent, to isolate oneself |
Translate the following phrases into English:
- Kaqatijoj qib’ che le chak.
- Kachajij ib’ alaq.
- Xinxe’j wib’.
- La xich’ab’ej iwib’ iwir?
- Kariq ib’ alaq pa k’ayb’al.
- Kaqachajij qib’ pa b’e.
- Karesaj rib’ pa le chak.
- Kich’ab’ej iwib’ ruk’ le nunan.
Answers
- .We get trained for the job.
- Take care of yourselves (formal, plural).
- I got scared.
- Did you all talk to each other yesterday?
- You all meet each other at the market.
- We take care of each other on the way.
- He/she resigned from his/her job.
- You all talk to my mother.
- I am going to become independent from my parents.
- They were killing each other when I arrived.
- Did you meet each other this morning?
- We are studying for the class.
- Did you (formal, pl) frighten yourselves?
- We are taking care of each other.
- Tomorrow we are talking again.
- Did you wash yourself?
- Did you prepare yourself for the meeting?
- I am seeing myself.
Answers
- Kintas wib’ chkij le nutat nunan.
- Tajin kakikamsaj kib’ aretaq xinopanik.
- La xiriq iwib’ nimaq’ab’.
- Kaqatijoj qib’ che le tijonik.
- La xe’j ib’ alaq?
- Kaqachajij qib’.
- Kaqach’ab’ej qib’ chwe’q.
- La xach’aj awib’?
- La xab’an ub’anik awib’ che le chomal?
- Kinwil wib’.