Language/Lingala/Grammar/Forming-Imperatives

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Lingala → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Imperatives and Commands → Forming Imperatives

In this lesson, we will learn about forming imperatives in Lingala. Imperatives are used to give commands, make requests, or offer advice. Mastering the formation of imperatives is essential for effective communication in Lingala. We will explore the different forms of imperatives and provide numerous examples to illustrate each point. Additionally, we will delve into the cultural aspects of using imperatives in Lingala, including regional variations and historical reasons for these differences. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently use imperatives in various contexts.

Overview

Imperatives are verb forms used to express commands, requests, or advice. In Lingala, forming imperatives is relatively straightforward. However, it is important to note that imperatives are often subject to cultural and regional variations. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the nuances of using imperatives in different contexts.

In this lesson, we will cover the following topics:

1. Forming imperatives in Lingala 2. Using commands in context

Let's begin by exploring how to form imperatives in Lingala.

Forming Imperatives

To form imperatives in Lingala, we generally use the verb stem without any additional suffixes. However, there are a few exceptions and irregularities that we will discuss in detail. Let's start by looking at regular verbs in the imperative form.

Regular Verbs

Most regular verbs in Lingala form imperatives by using the verb stem without any suffixes. Let's take a look at some examples:

Lingala	Pronunciation	English Translation
Bala!	/ba-la/	Read!
Lala!	/la-la/	Sleep!
Kola!	/ko-la/	Work!
Toma!	/to-ma/	Take!
Sombela!	/som-be-la/	Sing!

As you can see, the verb stems "bala" (to read), "lala" (to sleep), "kola" (to work), "toma" (to take), and "sombela" (to sing) are used as imperatives without any additional suffixes.

Irregular Verbs

While most regular verbs follow the pattern of using the verb stem as the imperative form, there are a few irregular verbs that require additional changes. Let's take a look at some examples:

1. The verb "koma" (to come) uses the imperative form "koya":

Lingala	Pronunciation	English Translation
Koya!	/ko-ya/	Come!

2. The verb "yeba" (to know) uses the imperative form "leka":

Lingala	Pronunciation	English Translation
Leka!	/le-ka/	Know!

3. The verb "kosa" (to do) uses the imperative form "kokoma":

Lingala	Pronunciation	English Translation
Kokoma!	/ko-ko-ma/	Do!

It is important to note these irregularities and practice using the correct imperative forms for each verb.

Now that we have covered the formation of imperatives, let's explore how to use commands in different contexts.

Using Commands in Context

Commands can vary in their level of politeness or formality, depending on the context and the relationship between the speaker and the listener. In Lingala, there are different ways to express commands, ranging from polite requests to strong orders and suggestions. Let's examine each of these scenarios in detail.

Polite Requests

When making a polite request in Lingala, you can use the imperative form of the verb combined with the word "na" (please). This adds a level of politeness to the command. Let's look at some examples:

1. Bala na. (Please read.) 2. Kola na. (Please work.)

By adding "na" after the imperative form of the verb, you can make your request more polite and respectful.

Strong Orders

In certain situations where a stronger command is required, you can use the imperative form of the verb without any additional words. This form is more direct and assertive. Let's see some examples:

1. Bala! (Read!) 2. Kola! (Work!)

Using the imperative form without any extra words conveys a sense of urgency or authority.

Suggestions

To offer advice or make a suggestion, you can use the verb "sala" (to stay) followed by the infinitive form of the verb. This structure suggests that the listener should consider staying or continuing the action. Let's see some examples:

1. Sala koya. (Stay, come.) 2. Sala bala. (Stay, read.)

By using the verb "sala" in combination with the infinitive form of the verb, you can make suggestions or give advice in a polite manner.

Now that we have explored the different ways to use commands in Lingala, let's practice applying this knowledge through some exercises.

Exercise

1. Translate the following English sentences into Lingala using imperatives:

a) Open the door! b) Eat your food! c) Call me tomorrow! d) Don't be late! e) Sing a song!

2. Rewrite the following Lingala sentences using polite requests:

a) Lala! b) Sombela! c) Toma! d) Koya!

Solutions

1. a) Loba mokili!

  b) Koma nzoto na yo!
  c) Koluka na ngai eloko mosusu!
  d) Okosala epayi!
  e) Sombela chanson!

2. a) Lala na.

  b) Sombela na.
  c) Toma na.
  d) Koya na.

Now that you have completed the exercise, let's move on to the conclusion of this lesson.

Conclusion

In this lesson, we have learned how to form imperatives in Lingala to give commands, make requests, or offer advice. We explored the different forms of imperatives, including regular verbs and irregular verbs. Additionally, we discussed using commands in various contexts, such as polite requests, strong orders, and suggestions.

Remember to practice forming imperatives in different situations to become more comfortable using them in your everyday conversations. Understanding the cultural aspects of using imperatives in Lingala will also help you communicate effectively with native speakers.

Continue practicing and building upon what you have learned in this lesson. In the next lesson, we will further explore the usage of commands in different contexts.

Table of Contents - Lingala Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Singular and Plural Nouns
• Subject Pronouns
• Object Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-10
• Telling Time

  ---

Verbs and Conjugation

• Regular Verbs
• Irregular Verbs
• Negation

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationships

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Descriptive Adjectives
• Comparative and Superlative
• Adverbs

  ---

Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Eating Out

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Phrases

  ---

Lingala Culture and Traditions

• Festivals and Celebrations
• Traditional Music and Dance
• Traditional Foods
• Arts and Crafts

  ---

Professions and Hobbies

• Common Professions
• Hobbies and Interests

  ---

Questions and Interrogatives

• Yes/No Questions
• Wh- Questions

  ---

Daily Routines and Activities

• Morning Routine
• Work and School
• Evening Routine

  ---

Imperatives and Commands

• Forming Imperatives
• Using Commands in Context

Sources

• Lingala Grammar
• Lingala/Grammar - LING073

Other Lessons

• The First 10 Verbs
• Plural forms
• Wh Questions
• Verb to be
• Create your first simple sentences in the affirmative
• The Future Tense To Be
• Subject pronouns
• Adjectives
• 0 to A1 Course
• Present progressive tense

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