Di verb “to be” for Naija

As e dey wit most languages, di verb “to be” na one of di most common and flexible verbs for Naija. Dis article go break down di different forms and functions of “to be”, and e go give yu examples wey go make yu sabi am well-well.

Forms of di verb “to be”

For Naija, di verb “to be” get three different forms:

  • dey
  • be
  • na

Dey

Di “dey” form of di verb “to be” get several functions:

To describe identity or characteristics

We dey use “dey” to show haw persin or something be. For example:

  • Di food dey hot and spicy.
  • Yu dey very happy today.

To describe state or condition

“Dey” fit describe di state or condition of persin or something.

  • My phone dey bad.
  • I no go work becos I dey sick.
  • My papa dey sleepy.

To indicate location

“Dey” dey answer di question “wer?” E dey show wer persin or something dey for particular time.

  • I dey Lagos right now.
  • Yor food dey kitchen.
  • Oga dey office. E no fit talk.

As linking verb

We dey use “dey” connect di subject of sentence to di subject complement.

  • I dey busy tonight.
  • My phone dey expensive.

As tense marker

“Dey” na tense marker or auxiliary verb wey we dey use for some tenses for Naija.

Past Tense

TenseExample
Simple PastI dey house yesterday.
Past ContinuousWe bin dey work dat time.
Past Perfect ContinuousI bin don dey find work before I get dis job.

Present Tense

TenseExample
Simple PresentI dey watch news.
Present ContinuousI dey chop eba. Yu go chop?
Present Perfect ContinuousI don dey try reach yu since morning.

Future Tense

TenseExample
Future ContinuousDi company go dey start operations next quarter.
Future Perfect ContinuousI go don dey work for three hours before break time.

For commands and instructions

We dey use “dey” wen we dey give command or instruction. Example:

  • Make una dey quiet!
  • No dey shout for yer!
  • Dey yor lane abeg.

Be

Di “be” form of “to be” get couple of functions wey e dey serve.

As identity marker

For Naija, “be” na identity marker. We dey use am define persin or something.

  • She be teacher.
  • Jason be my brother and Lucia be my sister.
  • I be di owner of di car.

To ask question

We dey use “be” ask question wit di question words “hu”, “wetin” and “wich”. For example:

  • Abeg wetin be yor name?
  • Hu be dat for my door?
  • Wich of una be lawyer?

For di subjunctive mood

We dey use “be” take express hypothetical situations, or to express wish or desire.

  • If I be yu, I go tell am di truth.
  • If na me be yor papa, I for don disown yu.

Na

Di “na” form of “to be” still get im own functions:

As identity marker

Just like haw “be” dey work, we dey use “na” too as identity marker to show hu persin be, or to take define something. Examples:

  • Dis na my bag.
  • John na awa family doctor.
  • My mama na my role model.
  • Buka na place wey dem dey sell food.

To form cleft sentence

We dey use “na” to form cleft sentences. Dese be di kind sentences wey dey put emphasis for one particular element. Examples:

  • Na today di song go drop.
  • Na my pikin dey dance.
  • Na December wey we marry.

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