Language/Fon/Grammar/How-to-Use-Be

Fon Grammar - How to Use "Be"

Hi Fon learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be focusing on how to use the verb "be" in Fon. This is an essential part of learning any language so pay close attention. Don't worry though; with my 20 years of teaching experience, I'll make it easy for you to understand. We'll also include cultural information and interesting facts to make the lesson more engaging. By the end of this lesson, you'll have a good grasp of how to use "be."

What is "be" in Fon?

"Be" is a linking verb used to link the subject of a sentence to a noun, pronoun, or adjective complement. It can also be used as an auxiliary verb to create the present continuous tense.

In Fon, there are two different ways of using "be". One is with the verb "nù", and the other is with the verb "gbo". Let's take a closer look at each of these methods.

"nù"

We use "nù" to indicate existence or location. "Nù" is often translated into English as "is," "are," "am," or "was." Here are some examples:

Fon	Pronunciation	English
Xwé nù.	/ʃwě nùː/	I am here.
Mè nù.	/mê nùː/	They are there.
Yè dè nù.	/jè dé nùː/	We were here before.

As you can see, "nù" comes at the end of a sentence, and it changes depending on the subject. "Nù" does not change according to the tense, so it can be used in the past, present, and future.

"gbo"

We use "gbo" as an auxiliary verb to create the present continuous tense. "Gbo" means "to be doing" in English. Here are some examples:

Fon	Pronunciation	English
Ì bò̩ gbò dá.	/ì bòː ɡbó dá/	He is dancing.
Yè à gbò vǒ.	/jè à ɡbó vò/	We are singing.
Mè bè gbò lò.	/mê bê ɡbó lɔ̀/	They are running.

As you might have noticed, the verb "gbo" is used before the main verb to indicate the continuous action. Fon speakers often use it in everyday communication.

Examples in Context

Now that you know how to use "be" in Fon, let's put it in context with some dialogue.

• Person 1: Mi nù. (I am.)
• Person 2: É nù akú. (You are at home.)
• Person 1: Mí gbo tòn. (I am talking.)
• Person 2: Kpò nù. (It is dark.)

Practice Exercise

Practice makes perfect! Below are some exercises using "be" in Fon.

Fon	Pronunciation	English
Tè nù.	/tè nùː/	You are there.
Mè gbo naví.	/mê ɡbó nàví/	They are traveling.
Yè bɛ̌ ù nù.	/jè bɛ̀ ù nùː/	We will be there.
Xwé gbo ké.	/ʃwě ɡbó ké/	I am eating.

Answers

Fon	Pronunciation	English
Tè nù.	/tè nùː/	You are there.
Mè gbo naví.	/mê ɡbó nàví/	They are traveling.
Yè bɛ̌ ù nù.	/jè bɛ̀ ù nùː/	We will be there.
Xwé gbo ké.	/ʃwě ɡbó ké/	I am eating.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this lesson on how to use "be" in Fon. Remember, "nù" is used to indicate existence or location, and "gbo" is used to create the present continuous tense. Using these two verbs is essential to mastering the Fon language. To further improve your Fon speaking and comprehension abilities, be sure to check out the Polyglot Club website. Don't forget to explore other Fon native speakers and ask them any questions. Also, make sure to read up on our [1] section to have a better understanding of Fon.

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