Wauja

Pronoun

pitsu

1. you (second-person singular subject pronoun)

   Pitsu piyawo notsuhoja? Aitsa ya!

   Q: Was it you that took my fishhooks? A: Certainly not!

2. you (second-person singular direct object pronoun)

   Kamani? Aitsa ninyanka pitsu.

   Why [do you say that]? I don't blab about you.

   Nautatuwiu, aitsa nunupa pitsu.

   I searched [in vain]; I didn't see you.

3. yours (second-person possessive pronoun)

   Natupei? Ehen, pitsupei. Piyawogeu.

   Q: [Can it be] mine? [May I have it?] A: Yeah, [it's] yours. Take [it].

   Pitsu katiuwhun. Natu katiuwhun.

   This [is] yours. This [is] mine. (Indicating first one pile of beads, then another.)

Usage notes

Normally the subject performing an action is indicated by a prefix to the verb root, not by a pronoun. However, the pronoun pitsu can be used in combination with a verb to emphasize the subject. Compare:

• Piyawo notsuhoja? (did you take my fishhooks?)
• Pitsu piyawo notsuhoja? (was it you that took my fishhooks?)

Related terms

• piyu (you)

References

• E. Ireland field notes. Needs to be checked by native speaker.