Language/Ewe/Grammar/How-to-Use-Have
Hi Ewe learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to use "have" in Ewe. Understanding how to use "have" is essential in developing your Ewe language skills.
What is "Have" in Ewe?
"Have" in Ewe is expressed by the verb "me". It is used to show possession or ownership of something. For example:
| Ewe | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mawu me woma. | MAH-wu meh WOH-ma | I have a book. |
| Agbe me tɔ gbɔ. | AH-gbeh meh tɔ gbo | You have a car. |
| Yeye me atse. | YEH-yeh meh AH-che | She has a cat. |
| ŋmɔtɔ me nya. | Ŋ-mɔtɔ meh NYA | He has a goat. |
As with other verbs in Ewe, "me" changes depending on the subject pronoun used. The different subject pronouns are:
| Pronoun | Example | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st person singular | mi | Mawu me woma. (I have a book.) |
| 2nd person singular | wo | Agbe me tɔ gbɔ. (You have a car.) |
| 3rd person singular (male) | ɔ | ŋmɔtɔ me nya. (He has a goat.) |
| 3rd person singular (female) | a | Yeye me atse. (She has a cat.) |
Using "Have" in Questions
When asking a question with "Have" in Ewe, we use the question word "nye", which means "do you have...?" or "does he/she/it have...?" For example:
| Ewe | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mi nye atɔe? | MEE nyeh ah-TOE-eh? | Do I have a phone? |
| Wo nye ayigba? | WOH nyeh ah-YE-gbah? | Do you have a bicycle? |
| Ɔ nye nufia? | OH nyeh noo-FEE-ah? | Does he have money? |
| A nye afia? | AH nyeh ah-FEE-ah? | Does she have food? |
Using "Have" in Negative Sentences
When using "have" in negative sentences, we use the word "ena" which means "do not have". For example:
| Ewe | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mi ena yome. | MEE EH-nah yo-MEH | I do not have money. |
| Wo ena afia. | WOH EH-nah ah-FEE-ah | You do not have food. |
| Ɔ ena atɔe. | OH EH-nah ah-TOE-eh | He does not have a phone. |
| A ena abobo. | AH EH-nah ah-BOH-boh | She does not have a pen. |
Example Dialogue
Here is an example dialogue between two people, illustrating the use of "Have" in Ewe:
- Person 1: Mi nye nuto? (Do I have a hat?)
- Person 2: Ɛɖe mi wo kɛ. (No, you do not have it.)
- Person 1: Wo nye egbɔdɔ ɖo? (Do you have a pencil?)
- Person 2: Aɖo wo ena ameɖe. (Sorry, I do not have one.)
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have just learned how to use "have" in Ewe. Practice makes perfect, so be sure to keep using the language as much as possible. If you have any questions, feel free to seek out native speakers and ask them any questions you may have. Additionally, you can always refer back to the Grammar section of the Ewe page for guidance.
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Related Lessons
- Pronouns
- Questions
- Adjectives
- Give your Opinion
- Negation
- Conditional Mood
- Future Tense
- Plurals
- How to Use Be