Language/Lingala/Grammar/Verb-To-Have-and-To-Be

The simple present tense of the verb TO HAVE (kozala na)

TO BE

Let's review the last lesson about the verb TO BE (https://polyglotclub.com/wiki/Language/Lingala/Grammar/Verb-to-be)

• I am > Nazali/naza

• You are > Ozali/oza

• He/she is > Azali/aza

• It is > Ezali/eza

• We are > Tozali/toza

• You are > Bozali/boza

• They are > Bazali/baza

TO HAVE

The verb TO HAVE (TO POSSESS) derive from the verb TO BE. In fact, we litteraly say TO BE WITH (kozala na)

• I have (got) > Naza(li) na: I have a phone> Naza na telefoni

• You have (got) > Oza(li) na: You have a house> Oza na ndaku

• He/she has (got) > Aza(li) na: He/she has a book> Aza na buku

• It has (got) > Eza(li) na: It has a door> Eza na porti (ekuke)

• We have (got) > Toza(li) na: We have a dog> Toza na mbwa

• You have (got) > Boza(li) na: You have siblings> Boza na bandeko

• They have (got) > Baza(li) na: They have children> Baza na bana.

Note: The spoken language always use the short form of the verb. We say 'naza' instead of 'nazali' though the complete form is used in formal writings.