Verb “To be” and “To have”
Four forms of the verb “to be”. In Ateso there are four forms of the verb “to be”.
- The first used to express where abouts of something (Ejaas ore — They are at home) or existence of something (Ejaas ikacudak — There are sorcerers).
- The second form qualifies a state (Eraas Iteso — They are Iteso).
- The third is used to express numerical value of more than one(quantity) and is therefore applicable only as plural (Imwaas itomon —They are ten).
- The fourth, is a rare form that the other three, it is used to express size, price or quantity (Etaas ai? — How big is it?).
The infinitives of these four forms are:
- Ajaus (or Ajaut)
- Araus (or Araut)
- Amwaus (or Amwaut)
- Atiaus (or Atiaut)
Verb “To be” and “To have”
Present tense
The present tense of the verb “to be”.
- Ajai –- I am
Ijai —You are
Ejai — She/he is
Kijai (Kijaa) — We are
Ijaas — You are
Ejaas — They are
- Arai — I am
Irai — You are
Erai — She/he is
Kirai –- We are
Iraas — you are
Eraas — they are
- Kimwai — We are
Imwaas — You are
Imwaas – They are
- Etiai — I am
Itiai — You are
Etiai — She/he is
Kitiai — We are
Itiaas — You are
Etiaas — They are
When an emphasis lies on the negative it is possible to use mam with the verb ajaus (or ajaut).
E.g. Ejai Oselle ngina. — Is Oselle there?
Mam ejai. — He is not here.
Ateso vocabulary.
Ore – Home
Lailo — On this side or here
Kane (or ne) – Here
Ngina (or Kangina) — There
Ai? — Where? (or how?)
Verb “To be” and “To have”
Exercise One
Please write Ateso equivalent of the following statements or/and questions.
- Where is the bed?
- It is at home.
- Where are Iteso men?
- I love Ateso women.
- Visit Teso.
- They are coming to visit Teso.
- How many are you?
- The boy has a dog.
- The cows are gone.
- There is no milk.
- We are here.
- That man is Etesot.