User:Aearthrise/Hieroglyphics/Egyptian Course

Egyptian Language ☥ (Ptolemaic Kingdom -> Roman Empire) Ⲕⲗⲉⲟⲙⲉⲛⲏⲥ

Chapter 1

Welcome to the Egyptian Language Course! I, Andrew Earthrise, have created this course to teach you how to read Hieroglyphs and to understand the Egyptian language. The most recent form of the Egyptian language is Coptic, which uses the Greek alphabet in Byzantine font with extra letters for Egyptian sounds; older Egyptian forms used Demotic and Hieratic writing, cursive forms of Hieroglyphs.

To learn more about the Coptic alphabet, click here!

I .
Phonetics:

Classical Egyptian, the older language, had many glyphs for ideas and for specific consonant sounds. As time went on, consonants written in the older language disappeared from the spoken language. By the time of the Ptolemaic Kingdom- the inheritors of Alexander the Great's Egyptian kingdom, the usage of the older language was for religion and dedicated monuments.

The hieroglyphic writing system is very economical. Hieroglyphs did not write vowels for native Egyptian words, but Greek words used former consonants as vowels to spell phonetically. Ptolemaic hieroglyphs usage corresponds accordingly:

Vowels:
 * Tip: hover your mouse over hieroglyphs, you'll find vowels and consonants!

A,alpha-Ⲁⲁ (Egyptian vulture)

E,eta-Ⲏⲏ (arm)

I/Y,iota-Ⲓⲓ,Ⲩⲩ (reed)/ (two strokes) Many times, words beginning with this character make an a/e sound in Coptic Egyptian.

O,omicron- Ⲟⲟ }(lasso)

U,upsilon-Ⲩⲩ,Ⲟⲩⲟⲩ / (chick/abbreviated form of chick)

Consonants:

K/Ḳ,kappa/ḳi(chi)-Ⲕⲕ/Ⲭⲭ / (basket with handle/sloping hill)

M,mu-Ⲙⲙ (owl)

N,nu-Ⲛⲛ (water)

P/Ṗ,pi/ṗi(phi)-Ⲡⲡ,Ⲫⲫ / (duck/mat)

R,ro-Ⲣⲣ (mouth)

S,sigma-Ⲥⲥ (folded cloth)

T/Ṫ,tau/ṫeta(theta)-Ⲧⲧ,Ⲑⲑ (bread)

Determinatives:

Determinatives help distinguish words and make them more vivid. They refer to the action, person, object, or idea of the word.

{Man } {Woman } {Child } {Servant } {Cooking Brazier and Man } {Dog } {Jackal }

Memorization:

The best way to memorize hieroglyphics and words is to draw the characters. When you copy the word, add details and color at your own pace! Your brain will remember the words when you are having creative fun!

1.

Father, Ⲓⲱⲧ

{Ⲕⲗⲉⲟⲙⲉⲛⲏⲥ } {ⲡⲉ } {̀ⲫ ⲓⲱⲧ }. Ⲕⲗⲉⲟⲙⲉⲛⲏⲥ ⲡⲉ ̀̀ⲫⲓⲱⲧ.

Kleomenes pe ṗ'yot.

Cleomenes is the father.

2.

Mother, Ⲙⲁⲩ

{Ⲃⲉⲣⲉⲛⲓⲕⲏ } {ⲧⲉ } {̀ⲑ ⲙⲁⲩ }. Ⲃⲉⲣⲉⲛⲓⲕⲏ ⲧⲉ ̀̀ⲑ ⲙⲁⲩ.

Berenike te ṫ'mauw.

Berenice is the mother.

3.

Son, Ϣⲏⲣⲓ

{Ⲭⲁⲣⲙⲓⲟⲛ } {ⲡⲉ } {̀ⲡ ϣⲏⲣⲓ } Ⲭⲁⲣⲙⲓⲟⲛ ⲡⲉ ̀ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ.

Ḳarmion pe p'šeri

Charmion is the son.

4.

Servant, Ⲃⲱⲕ

{Ϩⲱⲣϧⲉⲃⲓ } {ⲡⲉ } {̀ⲫ ⲃⲱⲕ } Ϩⲱⲣϧⲉⲃⲓ ⲡⲉ ̀ⲫⲃⲱⲕ

Horkhebi pe ṗ'bok

Harkhebi is the servant.

5.

Cook, Ⲙⲁⲕⲓⲣⲟⲥ

{Ⲭⲁ̀ⲛⲣⲏ } {ⲡⲉ } {ⲡⲓ ⲙⲁⲕⲓⲣⲟⲥ } Ⲭⲁ̀ⲛⲣⲏ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲕⲓⲣⲟⲥ.

Ḳa n're pe pi makiros.

Kanre is the cook.

6.

Dog, Ⲟⲩϩⲟⲣ

{Ⲁⲛⲟⲩⲃ } {ⲡⲉ } {ⲡⲓ ⲟⲩϩⲟⲣ } Ⲁⲛⲟⲩⲃ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲟⲩϩⲟⲣ.

Anuwb pe pi uwhor.

Anubis is the dog.

II .
Determinatives: {Papyrus } {Room } {Bed,Coffin } {Tree } {Cooking Brazier } {Walking }

7.

Book, Ϫⲱⲙ

{Ⲕⲗⲉⲟⲙⲉⲛⲏⲥ } {ⲡⲉ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ⲙⲁ ̀ⲛ ϫⲱⲙ }. Ⲕⲗⲉⲟⲙⲉⲛⲏⲥ ⲡⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ̀ⲛϫⲱⲙ.

Kleomenes pe khen pi ma n'djom.

Cleomenes is in the library (place of books).

8.

Atrium, Ⲥⲃⲉ

{Ⲃⲉⲣⲉⲛⲓⲕⲏ } {ⲧⲉ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {̀ⲡ ⲥⲃⲉ }. Ⲃⲉⲣⲉⲛⲓⲕⲏ ⲧⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ̀ⲡⲥⲃⲉ.

Berenike te khen p'sbe.

Berenice is in the atrium.

9.

Sleeping, Ⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧ

{Ⲭⲁⲣⲙⲓⲟⲛ } {ⲡⲉ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ⲙⲁ ̀ⲛ ⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧ } {Ⲭⲁⲣⲙⲓⲟⲛ ⲡⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ̀ⲛⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧ.

Ḳarmion pe khen pi ma n'enkot.

Charmion is in the bed (place of sleeping).

10.

Garden, Ϭⲱⲙ

{Ϩⲱⲣϧⲉⲃⲓ } {ⲡⲉ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ϭⲱⲙ } Ϩⲱⲣϧⲉⲃⲓ ⲡⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓϭⲱⲙ.

Horkhebi pe khen pi qom.

Harkhebi is in the garden.

11.

Cooking, Ⲫⲓⲥⲓ

{Ⲭⲁ̀ⲛⲣⲏ } {ⲡⲉ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ⲙⲁ ̀ⲛ ⲫⲓⲥⲓ } Ⲭⲁ̀ⲛⲣⲏ ⲡⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ̀ⲛⲫⲓⲥⲓ.

Ḳa n're pe khen pi ma n'ṗisi.

Kanre is in the kitchen (place of cooking).

12.

Road, Ⲙⲱⲓⲧ

{Ⲁⲛⲟⲩⲃ } {ⲡⲉ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ⲙⲱⲓⲧ } Ⲁⲛⲟⲩⲃ ⲡⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ.

Anuwb pe khen pi mowit.

Anubis is in the road.

III .


Determinatives: {Scroll(Written Ideas) } {Sitting } {Bed,Coffin } {Man carrying pot } {Inkboard, ink bottle, and stylus }

13.

Writing, Ⲥϧⲁⲓ

{Ⲕⲗⲉⲟⲙⲉⲛⲏⲥ }, {̀ⲫ ⲓⲱⲧ }, {ⲡⲉ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ⲙⲁ ̀ⲛ ϫⲱⲙ }. '''Ⲕⲗⲉⲟⲙⲉⲛⲏⲥ, ̀ⲫⲓⲱⲧ, ⲡⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ̀ⲛϫⲱⲙ. '''

Kleomenes, ṗ'yot, pe khen pi ma n'djom.

Kleomenes, the father, is in the library.

{̀ⲫ Ⲓⲱⲧ }, {̀ϥ ⲥϧⲁⲓ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ⲙⲁ ̀ⲛ ϫⲱⲙ }. . '''̀ⲫⲒⲱⲧ, ̀ϥⲥϧⲁⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ̀ⲛϫⲱⲙ. '''

ṗ'Yot f'skhai khen pi ma n'djom.

The father writes in the library.

14.

Sitting, Ϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ

{Ⲃⲉⲣⲉⲛⲓⲕⲏ } ,{̀ⲑ ⲙⲁⲩ }, {ⲧⲉ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {̀ⲡ ⲥⲃⲉ }. Ⲃⲉⲣⲉⲛⲓⲕⲏ, ̀ⲑⲙⲁⲩ, ⲧⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ̀ⲡⲥⲃⲉ.

Berenike, ṫ'mauw, te khen p'sbe.

Berenice, the mother, is in the Atrium.

{̀ⲑ Ⲙⲁⲩ }, {̀ⲥ ϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {̀ⲡ ⲥⲃⲉ }. ̀ⲑⲘⲁⲩ ̀ⲥϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ̀ⲡⲥⲃⲉ.

ṫ'Mauw s'hemsi khen p'sbe.

The mother sits in the Atrium.

15.

{Ⲭⲁⲣⲙⲓⲟⲛ }, {̀ⲡ ϣⲏⲣⲓ }, {ⲡⲉ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ⲙⲁ ̀ⲛ ⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧ } Ⲭⲁⲣⲙⲓⲟⲛ, ̀ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ, ⲡⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ̀ⲛⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧ.

Ḳarmion, p'šeri, pe khen pi ma n'enkot

Charmion, the son, is in the bed.

{̀ⲡ Ϣⲏⲣⲓ } {̀ϥ ⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ⲙⲁ ̀ⲛ ⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧ } ̀ⲡϢⲏⲣⲓ ̀ϥⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ̀ⲛⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧ.

'p'Šeri, f'enkot khen pi ma n'enkot

Charmion sleeps in the bed.

16.

Working, ̀Ⲙⲕⲁϩ

{Ϩⲱⲣϧⲉⲃⲓ }, {̀ⲫ ⲃⲱⲕ }, {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ϭⲱⲙ } {ⲡⲉ } Ϩⲱⲣϧⲉⲃⲓ, ̀ⲫⲃⲱⲕ, ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓϭⲱⲙ ⲡⲉ.

Horkhebi, ṗ'bok, khen pi qom pe.

Harkhebi, the servant, is in the garden.

{̀ⲫ Ⲃⲱⲕ } {̀ϥ ̀ⲙⲕⲁϩ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ϭⲱⲙ } ̀ⲫⲂⲱⲕ ̀ϥ̀ⲙⲕⲁϩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓϭⲱⲙ

ṗ'Bok f'mkah khen pi qom.

The servant works in the garden.

17.

{Ⲭⲁ̀ⲛⲣⲏ }, {ⲡⲓ ⲙⲁⲕⲓⲣⲟⲥ }, {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ⲙⲁ ̀ⲛ ⲫⲓⲥⲓ } {ⲡⲉ } Ⲭⲁ̀ⲛⲣⲏ, ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲕⲓⲣⲟⲥ, ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ̀ⲛⲫⲓⲥⲓ ⲡⲉ.

Ḳa n're, pi makiros, khen pi ma n'ṗisi pe.

Kanre, the cook, is in the kitchen.

{ⲡⲓ Ⲙⲁⲕⲓⲣⲟⲥ } {̀ϥ ⲫⲓⲥⲓ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ⲙⲁ ̀ⲛ ⲫⲓⲥⲓ } ⲡⲓⲘⲁⲕⲓⲣⲟⲥ ̀ϥⲫⲓⲥⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ̀ⲛⲫⲓⲥⲓ.

pi Makiros f'ṗisi khen pi ma n'ṗisi.

The cook cooks in the kitchen.

18.

{Ⲁⲛⲟⲩⲃ }, {ⲡⲓ ⲟⲩϩⲟⲣ }, {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ⲙⲱⲓⲧ } {ⲡⲉ } Ⲁⲛⲟⲩⲃ, ⲡⲓⲟⲩϩⲟⲣ, ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲡⲉ.

Anuwb, pi uwhor, khen pi mowit pe.

Anubis, the dog, is in the road.

{ⲡⲓ Ⲟⲩϩⲟⲣ } {̀ϥ ⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ⲙⲱⲓⲧ } ⲡⲓⲞⲩϩⲟⲣ ̀ϥⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ.

Pi uwhor f'enkot khen pi mowit.

The dog sleeps in the road.

IV .
Determinatives: {Reed with legs } {Man pointing at mouth } {Eye } {Man standing } {Man with arms raised } {Fly } {Man with sack }

Ⲁⲛⲟⲩⲃ



{Ⲕⲗⲉⲟⲙⲉⲛⲏⲥ } {ⲡⲉ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ϭⲱⲙ }. Ⲕⲗⲉⲟⲙⲉⲛⲏⲥ ⲡⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓϭⲱⲙ.

Kleomenes pe khen pi qom.

Kleomenes is in the garden.

{̀Ⲛⲑⲟϥ } {̀ϥ ϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ϭⲱⲙ }. ̀Ⲛⲑⲟϥ ̀ϥϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓϭⲱⲙ.

N'ṫof f'hemsi khen pi qom.

He sits in the garden. {̀ⲫ Ⲃⲱⲕ } {ⲡⲉ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {̀ⲡ ⲥⲃⲉ } ̀ⲫⲂⲱⲕ ⲡⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ̀ⲡⲥⲃⲉ.

ṗ'Bok, pe khen p'sbe.

The servant is in the atrium.

{̀Ⲛⲑⲟϥ } {̀ϥ ̀ⲙⲕⲁϩ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {̀ⲡ ⲥⲃⲉ } ̀Ⲛⲑⲟϥ ̀ϥ̀ⲙⲕⲁϩ ϧⲉⲛ ̀ⲡⲥⲃⲉ.

N'ṫof f'mkah khen p'sbe.

He works in the atrium. {Ⲃⲉⲣⲉⲛⲓⲕⲏ } {ⲧⲉ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {̀ⲡ ⲥⲃⲉ }. Ⲃⲉⲣⲉⲛⲓⲕⲏ ⲧⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ̀ⲡⲥⲃⲉ.

Berenike te khen p'sbe.

Berenice is in the atrium.

{̀Ⲛⲑⲟⲥ } {̀ⲥ ϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {̀ⲡ ⲥⲃⲉ }. ̀Ⲛⲑⲟⲥ ̀ⲥϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ̀ⲡⲥⲃⲉ.

N'ṫos s'hemsi khen p'sbe.

She sits in the atrium.

{Ⲭⲁⲣⲙⲓⲟⲛ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ⲙⲁ ̀ⲛ ϫⲱⲙ } {ⲡⲉ }. '''Ⲭⲁⲣⲙⲓⲟⲛ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ̀ⲛϫⲱⲙ ⲡⲉ. '''

Ḳarmion khen pi ma n'djom pe.

Charmion is in the library.

{̀Ⲛⲑⲟϥ } {̀ϥ ⲥϧⲁⲓ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ⲙⲁ ̀ⲛ ϫⲱⲙ }. '''̀Ⲛⲑⲟϥ ̀ϥⲥϧⲁⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ̀ⲛϫⲱⲙ. '''

N'ṫof f'skhai khen pi ma n'djom.

He writes in the library.



{Ⲁⲛⲟⲩⲃ } {ⲡⲉ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ⲙⲱⲓⲧ } Ⲁⲛⲟⲩⲃ ⲡⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ.

Anuwb pe khen pi mowit.

Anubis is in the road.



{ⲡⲓ Ⲙⲁⲕⲓⲣⲟⲥ } {ⲡⲉ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ⲙⲁ ̀ⲛ ⲫⲓⲥⲓ }. ⲡⲓⲘⲁⲕⲓⲣⲟⲥ ⲡⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ̀ⲛⲫⲓⲥⲓ.

pi Makiros pe khen pi ma n'ṗisi.

The cook is in the kitchen.

{̀Ⲛⲑⲟϥ } {̀ϥ ⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧ }. ̀Ⲛⲑⲟϥ ̀ϥⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧ.

N'ṫof f'enkot.

He sleeps.



{Ⲟⲩⲱⲙ } {ⲡⲉ } {ϧⲉⲛ } {ⲡⲓ ⲙⲁ ̀ⲛ ⲫⲓⲥⲓ }. Ⲟⲩⲱⲙ ⲡⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ̀ⲛⲫⲓⲥⲓ.

Uwom pe khen pi ma n'ṗisi.

Food is in the kitchen.



{Ⲁⲛⲟⲩⲃ } {̀ϥ ⲓ|̀ⲓ } {ⲉϧⲟⲩⲛ } {̀ⲉ ⲡⲓ ⲙⲁ ̀ⲛ ⲫⲓⲥⲓ } Ⲁⲛⲟⲩⲃ ̀ϥⲓ|̀ⲓ ⲉϧⲟⲩⲛ ̀ⲉⲡⲓⲙⲁ̀ⲛⲫⲓⲥⲓ.

Anuwb f'i ekhoun e'pi ma n'ṗisi.

Anubis comes into the kitchen.

{̀Ⲛⲑⲟϥ } {̀ϥ ⲛⲁⲩ } {̀ⲉ ⲡⲓ ⲟⲩⲱⲙ }. ̀Ⲛⲑⲟϥ ̀ϥⲛⲁⲩ ̀ⲉⲡⲓⲟⲩⲱⲙ.

N'ṫof f'nau e'pi uwom.

He looks at the food.



{ⲡⲓ Ⲟⲩϩⲟⲣ } {̀ϥ ⲟⲩⲱⲙ } {̀ⲙ ⲡⲓ ⲟⲩⲱⲙ }. ⲡⲓⲞⲩϩⲟⲣ ̀ϥⲟⲩⲱⲙ ̀ⲙⲡⲓⲟⲩⲱⲙ.

pi Uwhor f'uwom m'pi uwom.

The dog eats the food.



{Ⲭⲁ̀ⲛⲣⲏ } {̀ϥ ⲧⲱⲛ ϥ } Ⲭⲁ̀ⲛⲣⲏ ̀ϥⲧⲱⲛϥ.

Ḳa n're f'ton'f.

Kanre gets up.

{̀Ⲛⲑⲟϥ } {̀ϥ ⲛⲁⲩ } {̀ⲉ ⲡⲓ ⲟⲩϩⲟⲣ }. ̀Ⲛⲑⲟϥ ̀ϥⲛⲁⲩ ̀ⲉⲡⲓⲟⲩϩⲟⲣ.

N'ṫof f'nau e'pi uwhor.

He looks at the dog.



{ⲡⲓ Ⲙⲁⲕⲓⲣⲟⲥ } {̀ϥ ⲙⲟⲩϯ } {̀ⲉ Ⲁⲛⲟⲩⲃ }. ⲡⲓⲘⲁⲕⲓⲣⲟⲥ ̀ϥⲙⲟⲩϯ ̀ⲉⲀⲛⲟⲩⲃ.

pi Makiros f'muti e'Anuwb.

The cook yells at Anubis.

{ⲡⲓ Ⲑⲟ }! {ⲡⲓ Ⲥⲟⲛⲓ }! '''ⲡⲓⲐⲟ! ⲡⲓⲤⲟⲛⲓ!'''

''pi Ṫo! pi Soni!

"Pest! Thief!"



{ⲡⲓ Ⲟⲩϩⲟⲣ } {̀ϥ ⲫⲱⲧ }. ⲡⲓⲞⲩϩⲟⲣ ̀ϥⲫⲱⲧ.

pi Uwhor f'ṗot.

The dog flees.

Practice
Choose the correct answer

1. Ⲟⲩϩⲟⲣ/Uwhor

A.Cook

B.Man

C.Dog

D.Book

2. Ⲙⲁⲩ/Mauw

A.Food

B.Mother

C.Father

D.Sleeping

3. Ⲥϧⲁⲓ/Skhai

A.Writing

B.Working

C.Woman

D.Eating

4. Ⲃⲱⲕ/Bok

A.Child

B.Father

C.Man

D.Servant

5. Ϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ/Hemsi

A.Eating

B.Sitting

C.Sleeping

D.Writing

7. Ⲓⲱⲧ/Yot

A.Woman

B.Father

C.Servant

D.Cook

8. Ⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧ/Enkot

A.Writing

B.Eating

C.Sleeping

D.Dog

9. Ϭⲱⲙ/Qom

A.Kitchen

B.Library

C.Woman

D.Garden

10. Ϫⲱⲙ/Djom

A.Writing

B.Eating

C.Book

D.Atrium