Sumerian Addenda · Signs
return
| Name | GI4 |
|---|---|
| Reads | [gi] |
| Means | to return, restore; to answer |
| Taught in | 14 · A row of proverbs |
Where it comes from
The homecoming verb: gi4 is “to return, to restore” — and, since a reply is a message coming home, “to answer.” Hearts are restored to their places with it, messengers turn around on it, and doubled (gi4-gi4) the returning keeps happening.
How to remember it
Return is the reed-sign’s round trip: it looks like its lookalike GI the reed, but with more to carry — the sign that goes out comes back loaded. Answer, homecoming, restoration: all the same journey home.
In the wild
urn:nabu:etcsl:4.07.3:271 ·
license: ETCSL · non-commercial.
Piece by piece:
- šag4-zu ki-bi — your heart, to its place
- ha-ma- — may it, for me
- gi4-gi4 — return: the homecoming, doubled to make sure
The standard consolation of the hymns — anger goes home the way messengers do. The plea is read in 102’s chapter 14.