hit is
/xit iːs/word by word
In Old English, "it is" is expressed as hit is.
This phrase is a third-person singular present tense statement used to identify or describe something.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Northern Old English, the phrase could appear as hit ys or hit es. In Southern Old English, variations included hit byð.
Did you know?
- The word hit was originally a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this' or 'this one' rather than a neutral placeholder.
- The 'h' in 'hit' is not a silent breath but part of a strong, aspirated sound common to Germanic languages.
- The verb 'is' in Old English is closely related to the ancestor of the word 'was', coming from a different root entirely than the one used for 'to be' in its infinitive form.
Examples in context
- Hit is Godes bebod.It is God's command.
- Hit is god.It is good.
- Hit is micel.It is large.
Example conversation
Two siblings are looking at a mysterious object.
- ÆthelstanHwæt is hit?What is it?
- ÆthelflædHit is an æppel.It is an apple.
- ÆthelstanHit is rēad.It is red.
- ÆthelflædGēa, hit is swīðe rēad.Yes, it is very red.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (hit, is) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hit, is, CC BY-SA 4.0.
