Sumerian Lesson 15: Perfective and Imperfective Verbs

Sumerian Tense and Aspect Simplified!

Sumerian Astrology

Jul 26, 2024

Introduction

In this lesson, you’ll learn about Sumerian perfective and imperfective verbs, also known as hamṭu and marû.

Helpful Terms

agent: the noun in the sentence that performs the action.
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.
infix (inf.): a particle within the verbal chain that refers back to a particular case within the nominal chain.
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

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 3^rd 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).

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:

in-dù 𒅔𒆕 He/she built it.
- in 𒅔 stand-alone 3^rd person (pers.) agent prefix
- dù 𒆕 to build, to replace
ga-ab-dù 𒂵𒀊𒆕 I shall replace it.
- ga 𒂵 cohortative prefix meaning ‘let me/I shall’
- ab 𒀊 indirect object infix
- dù 𒆕 to build, to replace

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.

If you need help remember what hamṭu means, remember that hamṭu starts with /h/, and means that something HAPPENED or will HAPPEN.

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.

in-dù 𒅔𒆕
- Probably: He/she built it.
- Probably Not: He/she will [definintely] build it.

Imperfective (marû) Verbs

In Sumerian, an imperfective verb demonstrates an action that is unfinished or ongoing, in the past, present, or future. Some English examples are:

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.

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.

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

Marû Verb Forms

In most cases, marû verbs are made through modifying the simple hamṭu form, creating special verb forms that you’ll need to memorize.

Most often, marû verbs are made by suffixing -e to the hamṭu root verb.

dù 𒆕 to build (h.); ex.—built, will [definitely] build
dù-e 𒆕𒂊 to build (m.); ex.—builds, is/will be building

The next most common way to create a marû verb is through simple or partial reduplication of the hamṭu root verb.

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

Your Sumerian Language Journey Continues

Great job! You’re well on your way to mastering the Sumerian language! In the next lesson, we’ll tackle the enclitic copula ‘to be’, so be sure to subscribe!