Basic Verbs

1. Yi

   To go

   Usage

   Also works as the imperative “go!”

   Grammar Note

   The imperative is the bare verb; for several people use Miyi.

2. Va

   To come

   Usage

   Also works as the imperative “come!”

   Grammar Note

   The imperative is the bare verb; for several people use Miva.

3. Ɖu nu

   To eat

   Usage

   Means to eat

   Grammar Note

   ɖu nu is “eat a thing”; the noun nuɖuɖu “food” is the reduplicated form of this verb.

4. No tsi

   To drink water

   Usage

   Means to drink water; it appears as an instruction in health advice

   Grammar Note

   no is “to drink”.

5. Ƒle

   To buy

   Usage

   Means to buy. Mind the hooked ƒ

   Grammar Note

   Writing f instead of ƒ gives a spelling that does not exist.

6. Kpɔ

   To see

   Usage

   Means to see; also the imperative “look!”

   Grammar Note

   ɔ is a different letter from o.

7. Lala

   To wait

   Usage

   Means to wait; also the imperative

   Grammar Note

   A verb with a reduplicated form.

8. Medi be mayi

   I want to go

   Usage

   States that you want to go; add the destination after it

   Grammar Note

   The pattern “Medi be maƒle …” (I want to buy …) is attested; mayi “I will go” is used in the same pattern. ma- is the first-person future.

9. Medi be maɖu nu

   I want to eat

   Usage

   Say it when you want to eat

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; not yet checked by a native speaker.

10. Mele … didim

    I am looking for …

    Usage

    Put what you seek in the gap, for example Mele xɔ aɖe didim (I am looking for a room)

    Grammar Note

    Progressive: le … + verb with -m; didim is di “look for” + -m. “Mele didim” is common in published Ewe texts.

11. Taflatse, gblɔ nam

    Please tell me

    Usage

    Use it to ask for information

    Grammar Note

    gblɔ na is “tell to”. nam is the fusion of na “to” and “me”.

12. Esia le asinye

    I have it

    Usage

    Says you have the item with you

    Grammar Note

    Composed; le asinye is literally “is in my hand”. Not yet checked by a native speaker.

13. Esia mele asinye o

    I don’t have it

    Usage

    Says you do not have the item

    Grammar Note

    Composed; negation is me- plus final o. Not yet checked by a native speaker.

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