Basic Verbs

1. Taa

   To go

   Usage

   The base form of "to go", as in "N bɛ taa" (I am going)

   Grammar Note

   The perfective takes the suffix -ra: "N taara" (I went). Prohibition: "I kana taa" (don't go)

2. Na

   To come

   Usage

   The base form of "to come", as in "Na yan!" (come here)

   Grammar Note

   The perfective is "A nana" (he came). Other words of the same spelling mean sauce and the postposition "in/at"

3. Dun

   To eat

   Usage

   The base form of "to eat"; having a meal is also "dumuni kɛ"

   Grammar Note

   The Jula form "dumu" is not used. The object comes before the verb: "N bɛ malo dun" (I eat rice)

4. Min

   To drink

   Usage

   The base form of "to drink": "N bɛ ji min" (I drink water)

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary example is "À ma ji min" (he did not drink water). The question word and relative marker "min" are different words

5. San

   To buy

   Usage

   The base form of "to buy": "N b'a san" (I buy it)

   Grammar Note

   The same spelling also means sky and year; tone separates them

6. Ye

   To see

   Usage

   A verb meaning to see or to meet

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary example is "Ù ye ɲɔgɔn ye sugu la" (they saw each other at the market). It is spelled like the particle "ye"; position in the sentence tells them apart. "filɛ" means to look or watch

7. Kɔnɔ

   To wait

   Usage

   The base form of "to wait": "N kɔnɔ" (wait for me)

   Grammar Note

   Several words share the spelling: belly, inside and bird. Only the verb means wait

8. N b'a fɛ ka taa

   I want to go

   Usage

   Expresses that you want to go

   Grammar Note

   "bɛ a fɛ" contracts to "b'a fɛ" (want it); a following verb takes "ka". The dictionary has "N b'à fɛ kà dɔ fàrà …"

9. N b'a fɛ ka dumuni kɛ

   I want to eat

   Usage

   Says that you want to have a meal

   Grammar Note

   "dumuni kɛ" means to have a meal, as listed in the dictionary. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

10. N b'a fɛ

    I want it

    Usage

    Say it while pointing at what you want

    Grammar Note

    A contraction of "bɛ a fɛ". The dictionary has "í bɛ́ mùn fɛ̀ ?" (what do you want?)

11. N bɛ a ɲini

    I'm looking for it

    Usage

    Use after naming what you are looking for

    Grammar Note

    Name the thing first, then "N bɛ a ɲini". Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

12. A bɛ n bolo

    I have it

    Usage

    Answer when you have something

    Grammar Note

    Possession is "thing bɛ person bolo"; the dictionary has "Fura bɛ ń bólo" (I have medicine)

13. A tɛ n bolo

    I don't have it

    Usage

    Answer when you do not have something

    Grammar Note

    The negative of "bɛ" is "tɛ"; the dictionary example is "fàlen tɛ́ ń fɛ̀" (I have no change). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

14. A fɔ n ye

    Please tell me

    Usage

    Asks someone to tell you something

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary example is "Adama y'à fɔ n ye" (Adama told me); the imperative is the bare verb. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

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