ic hæbbe
In Old English, the phrase for "I have" is ic hæbbe.
This phrase is used to indicate that the speaker possesses or owns something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of ic, which is the first-person singular nominative pronoun meaning "I" and hæbbe, which is the first-person singular present indicative form of the verb habban.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb hæbbe must agree with the subject ic in person and number.
Did you know?
- If you were to say 'ic hæbbe' to an Anglo-Saxon, they would recognize the root of the modern English word 'have', but the vowel sound in 'hæbbe' would sound much more like 'apple' than 'have'.
- The verb habban is a cognate of the German word haben, showing how closely the two languages shared their basic vocabulary for possession.
- In Old English poetry, the order of ic hæbbe could be flipped for emphasis or meter, allowing the verb to come before the subject.
Examples in context
- Ic hæbbe fēower tudru.I have four children.This example shows how to use ic hæbbe to state the number of children one has.Tatoeba #8854288 by iiujik, translation #4091700 by ArOoj_143
- Ic ne hæbbe fēoh, ac Ic hæbbe swefnu.I have no money, but I have dreams.This example uses ic hæbbe to contrast having dreams with not having money.Tatoeba #8865598 by iiujik, translation #18594 by Swift
- Ic hæbbe syx ond twentig fēoh būtan mīn hūs.I have twenty-six cattle outside my house.This example demonstrates using ic hæbbe to describe the amount of cattle owned.Tatoeba #8854110 by iiujik, translation #8854114 by iiujik
- Ic hæbbe on me wæpen.I have a weapon on me.
- Ic hafa fela.I have plenty.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mildryth and Eadric are discussing their belongings in a village.
- MildrythHwæt giefst þū mē?What are you giving me?
- EadricIc hæbbe hring for þē.I have a ring for you.
- MildrythIs hit gold?Is it gold?
- EadricĠēa, ic hæbbe gyldenne hring.Yes, I have a gold ring.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
