Lesson 15
Sumerian Perfective and Imperfective Verbs
In this lesson, you’ll learn about Sumerian perfective and imperfective verbs, also known as hamṭu and marû. While they sound difficult, they’re actually quite easy, so let’s jump in!
Need a Refresher on Sumerian Verbs?
Helpful Terms
Here are some helpful terms you’ll encounter in this lesson. You can see a full list in the Glossary of Terms.
- aspect: indicates the nature or quality of the action or state, as in ‘ongoing’, or ‘completed’.
- hamṭu (h.): an Akkadian term meaning ‘quick’, referring to the Sumerian perfective aspect.
- imperfective (imperf.): In Sumerian, an aspect indicating actions that are ongoing, habitual, or incomplete in the past, present, or future.
- marû (m.): an Akkadian term meaning ‘fat’, referring to the Sumerian imperfective aspect.
- perfective (perf.): In Sumerian, an aspect indicating actions which have been completed, or are fully expected to be completed in the future.
- tense: refers to when an action or state occurs, as in ‘past’, ‘present’, or ‘future tense’.
Vocabulary to Memorize
I highly recommend memorizing these Sumerian words, as you’ll encounter them often in the upcoming lessons!
- ab 𒀊 n., sea, opening, nook. part., ergative infix -b- ‘by it/them’ when preceded by /a/; indirect object infix -b- when preceded by /a/.
- hé 𒃶 part., modal prefix meaning ‘let him/her/it’ or ‘he/she/it will indeed’.
- naĝ 𒅘 n., drink. v., to drink; to irrigate, water (m. na8-na8 𒅘𒅘)
- na8-na8 𒅘𒅘 v., to drink; to irrigate, water (m.)
Vocabulary--Full List
Here are the vocabulary terms for this lesson. Be sure to look them over as they’re updated with additional meanings each lesson. You can see the full Sumerian Lexicon here.
- ab 𒀊 n., sea, opening, nook. part., ergative infix -b- ‘by it/them’ when preceded by /a/; indirect object infix -b- when preceded by /a/.
- dù 𒆕 v., to beget; bear (a child); be born; build, create, fashion, make; transform, change; replace.
- dúr 𒂉 n., anus, buttocks; dwelling. v., to sit (intrans. m. sg.); be seated; set down; break wind; occupy, dwell.
- durun 𒂉𒂉 v., to sit (h./m. pl.) (trans.).
- e 𒂊 v., to speak, say; do; water. part., [performed] by (the agent); in, at, beside; plural hamṭu (perfective) suffix; marû (imperfective) singular/plural suffix.
- ga 𒂵 n., milk. v., to bring, carry. part., cohortative prefix meaning ‘let me/I shall’; nominalizing suffix when preceded by /g/.
- hé 𒃶 part., modal prefix meaning ‘let him/her/it’ or ‘he/she/it will indeed’.
- in 𒅔 n., abuse, insult, offense. part., stand-alone 3rd person agent prefix ‘he/she’ (pers.).
- naĝ 𒅘 n., drink. v., to drink; to irrigate, water (m. na8-na8 𒅘𒅘)
- na8-na8 𒅘𒅘 v., to drink; to irrigate, water (m.)
- tuš 𒂉 n., home. v., to sit, lie down (trans. h. sg.) (h./m. pl. durun 𒂉𒂉; m. sg. dùr 𒂉); to sing; to dwell, reside, be at home, settle; set up, establish.
- zu 𒍪 n., knowledge, wisdom. v., to know; learn, discover; teach (m. zu-zu 𒍪𒍪); be experienced. pron., your(s).
Sumerian Perfective and Imperfective Verbs
Sumerian Perfective (hamṭu) Verbs
In Sumerian, a perfective verb demonstrates an action that has either been completed in the past, or is definitely expected to be completed in the future, as in:
- I went to [and returned from] the store.
- I will [definitely] go to the store.
A few Sumerian examples include:
In Sumerian literature, perfective verbs are often referred to as hamṭu, an Akkadian word meaning quick, although a better translation as it relates to Sumerian grammar might be simple, as hamṭu verbs are usually simple, unmodified verbs. In fact, hamṭu verbs are what you’ll often find in dictionary listings.
HELPFUL TIP: If you need help remembering what hamṭu means, remember that hamṭu starts with /h/, and means that something HAPPENED or will HAPPEN.
NOTE: When reading and translating Sumerian, be aware that finite verbs—those that take a subject—in the perfective aspect, are usually translated in the past tense.
Imperfective (marû) Verbs
In Sumerian, an imperfective verb demonstrates an action that is unfinished or ongoing, in the past, present, or future, as in:
- Past: I went to the store [and might still be there].
- Present: You eat lunch at noon [every day].
- Future: She will sleep in the bed [until further notice].
In Sumerian, imperfective verbs are called marû, which is an Akkadian word that means fat or slow, although a better translation as it relates to Sumerian grammar might be long, as marû verbs are usually modified versions of the hamṭu root verb.
HELPFUL TIP: If you need help remembering what marû means, remember that marû starts with /m/, and the action MAY have happened/be happening now, or MIGHT happen in the future.
NOTE: In Sumerian, imperfective finite verbs—those that don’t take a subject, like the infinitive form ‘to do’—are usually translated in the present or future tense.
- hé-zu-zu 𒃶𒍪𒍪 let it be known (future tense)
Marû Verb Forms
- dù 𒆕 to build (h.); ex.—built, will [definitely] build
- dù-e 𒆕𒂊 to build (m.); ex.—builds, is/will be building
- zu 𒍪 to know (h.); ex.—knew, will [definitely] know
- zu-zu 𒍪𒍪 to know (m.); ex.—knows, is/will be known
- naĝ 𒅘 to drink (h.); ex.—drank, will [definitely] drink
- na8-na8 𒅘𒅘 to drink (m.); ex.—drinks, is/will be drinking
Some marû verbs have their own special forms.
- tuš 𒂉 to sit (h.) (sg.); ex.—sat, will [definitely] sit
- dúr 𒂉 to sit (m.) (sg.); ex.—sists, is/will be sitting
- durun 𒂉𒂉 to sit (h.) (pl.); ex.—[they] sat, will [definitely] sit
- durun 𒂉𒂉 to sit (m.) (pl.); ex.—[they] are/will be sitting
