cuwi (ahcuwi)

preverb

must, have to; should, ought to; need to

Verb Stem:: -ahcuwi (-cuwi)
Changed Verb Stem:: ehcuwi (cuwi)

Notes

(cuwi does not combine with verb stems, except in cuwitpot; note that -ahcuwi is preferred in prefixed forms but many younger speakers use -cuwi; similarly, ehcuwi is preferred to cuwi in changed forms; some older speakers also use ahcuwi with unprefixed forms)

Keywords

Example Sentences

Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey	English
Susehp 'tahcuwi-natsakiyal ('cuwi-natsakiyal) wikuwossol.	Joseph must go see his mother.
Ntahcuwi-naci-wihqonik (ncuwi-naci-wihqonik) Wehqapiqek.	I have to go get groceries in Perry.
'Tahcuwi-oliyan ('Cuwi-oliyan).	He has to go there.
Cuwi-laqotetul tomk pocetesol.	The potatoes must cook first.
Kil-lu keq ehcuwi-oluhkiyin?	And what are you supposed to do?
Nit ehcuwi-olluhkiyanpon.	That's what I was supposed to do.
'Kocicihtun ehcuwi-oluhket.	He knows exactly what he has to do.
(used without verb) Ma nkiseltomakuwonewin ntuwehkanen ntolatuwewakonon; cuwi ikolisomanatuwewey.	We weren't allowed to use our language; it had to be English. (DAF)
(used without verb) Ma nkoti-liyaw Sitansisk. — Nit kahk kcuwihc.	I don't want to go to Fredericton. — You'll have to.