Are these Coptic translations correct? "Turn right at the corner." Ⲣⲉⲕ ⲟⲩⲛⲁⲙ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕϩ. "Turn left at the light." Ⲣⲉⲕ ϫⲁϭⲏ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓϧⲏⲃⲥ.
By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10
The translations you provided are largely correct in their structure and vocabulary according to the Bohairic dialect.
1. "Turn right at the corner."
Ⲣⲉⲕ ⲟⲩⲛⲁⲙ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕϩ.
- Ⲣⲉⲕ (Rek): This is the correct native Coptic verb meaning "to bow," "to bend," or "to incline/turn."
- Ⲟⲩⲛⲁⲙ (Ounam): This is the native Coptic word for "right."
- Ϧⲉⲛ (Khen): The preposition for "in" or "at."
- Ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕϩ (Pi-lakh): Ⲡⲓ is the definite article "the." Ⲗⲁⲕϩ is the native Coptic word for "corner" or "angle."
- Verdict: This is correct.
2. "Turn left at the light."
Ⲣⲉⲕ ϫⲁϭⲏ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓϧⲏⲃⲥ.
- Ⲣⲉⲕ (Rek): Correct (to turn).
- Ϫⲁϭⲏ (Jachi): This is the native Coptic word for "left."
- Ϧⲉⲛ (Khen): Correct (at).
- Ⲡⲓϧⲏⲃⲥ (Pi-khaybs): Ϧⲏⲃⲥ is the native Coptic word for "lamp" or "light." While ancient Copts did not have "traffic lights," this is the linguistically accurate term for a light source.
- Verdict: This is correct.
Linguistic Notes:
- Native vs. Greek: All the primary words used here—ⲣⲉⲕ, ⲟⲩⲛⲁⲙ, ϫⲁϭⲏ, ⲗⲁⲕϩ, and ϧⲏⲃⲥ—are native Coptic words.
- Dialect: These are written in the Bohairic dialect, which is the liturgical standard of the Coptic Orthodox Church today. In the Sahidic dialect, "the corner" would be ⲡⲗⲁⲕϩ and "the light" would be ⲡϩⲏⲃⲥ.