Language/Ewe/Grammar/How-to-Use-Be
Hi Ewe learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be discussing how to use the verb "be" in Ewe language.
Before we proceed, if you are new to learning Ewe or want to improve your grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
"Be" Verb[edit | edit source]
"Be" is an important verb that is used to express existence, identity or qualities of a subject. In Ewe language, there are two basic verbs that can be used in place of "be" verb which are "dɔ" and "wɔ". These verbs are used interchangeably in Ewe language.
For instance:
| Ewe | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mi dɔ nɔvi. | Mii doonovi | I am a student. |
| Ɖɔdɔme wɔ xylofon. | Doodoomewoo xylofon | The drummer is by the xylophone. |
| Ɖi ɖɔ fufuo. | Diidoo fufuo | We are eating fufu. |
| Mawu wɔ se. | Maawu woo see | God is good. |
As you can see from the examples above, "dɔ" can be used to describe a state or condition while "wɔ" can be used to indicate the existence of a person or thing.
Dialogues[edit | edit source]
Here are some dialogues to help you understand the use of "be" verb in context:
- Person 1: Mi dɔ ɖo lolo. (I am tired.)
- Person 2: Wòaɖe ƒe? (Why?)
- Person 1: Ega wɔ eyi afɔta? (Is the food ready?)
- Person 2: Mawu wɔ se. (God is good.)
- Person 1: Mawuli, mawo kɔ saa. (Mawuli, are you going out?)
- Person 2: Me wɔ kpaa saa. (I am leaving now.)
Negation[edit | edit source]
To create the negative forms of the "be" verb in Ewe language, you can add "me" or "e" at the beginning of the sentence depending on the subject of the sentence.
For instance:
| Ewe | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mewɔ nu. | Meewoo nu | I am not here. |
| Menya nɔvi. | Menyaa noovi | I am not a student. |
Interrogative[edit | edit source]
To create interrogative sentences using the "be" verb in Ewe language, the word "kɔ" is added at the end of the sentence.
For instance:
| Ewe | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ayi wɔ dzo? | Aaii wooo juo? | Is Ayi here? |
| Me dɔ gbedodzɔ? | Mee doo gbedodzo? | Am I strong? |
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
In conclusion, understanding how to use the "be" verb in Ewe language is important in creating meaningful and accurate sentences. With the examples provided and practice, you can improve your Ewe language skills.
I hope you found this lesson interesting and beneficial. Please practice your Ewe language using these examples or find more resources on Ewe language on the Polyglot Club website. Remember to find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ 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. 😎
Well done on mastering this lesson! Don't miss these related pages to expand your knowledge: Give your Opinion & Negation.
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Give your Opinion
- Pronouns
- How to Use Have
- Conditional Mood
- Questions
- Adjectives
- Negation
- Future Tense
- Plurals