Basic Verbs

1. Kokende

   To go

   Usage

   Infinitive to go, as in Nalingi kokende (I want to go).

   Grammar Note

   The infinitive begins with ko-. The same ko- form plus te is the negative imperative (Kobanga te).

2. Koya

   To come

   Usage

   Infinitive to come; the imperative is Yaka.

   Grammar Note

   The infinitive begins with ko-. The same ko- form plus te is the negative imperative (Kobanga te).

3. Kolia

   To eat

   Usage

   Infinitive to eat, written kolia in the Bible.

   Grammar Note

   The infinitive begins with ko-. The same ko- form plus te is the negative imperative (Kobanga te).

4. Komela

   To drink

   Usage

   Infinitive to drink; also used for taking medicine.

   Grammar Note

   The infinitive begins with ko-. The same ko- form plus te is the negative imperative (Kobanga te).

5. Kosomba

   To buy

   Usage

   Infinitive to buy, as in kosomba ble (buy grain).

   Grammar Note

   The infinitive begins with ko-. The same ko- form plus te is the negative imperative (Kobanga te).

6. Komona

   To see

   Usage

   Infinitive to see; kotala is used for looking at or visiting.

   Grammar Note

   The infinitive begins with ko-. The same ko- form plus te is the negative imperative (Kobanga te).

7. Kozela

   To wait

   Usage

   Infinitive to wait; the imperative is Zela.

   Grammar Note

   The infinitive begins with ko-. The same ko- form plus te is the negative imperative (Kobanga te).

8. Nalingi kokende

   I want to go

   Usage

   Say what you want to do; add the destination after it.

   Grammar Note

   Nalingi is I want and kokende is to go; the same word order appears in the Bible.

9. Nalingi yango

   I want it

   Usage

   Said while pointing at what you want; the same form occurs in the Bible.

   Grammar Note

   Yango is it, an object that follows the verb.

10. Nazali na mposa na yango te

    I do not need it

    Usage

    Politely declines an offer; literally "I do not have a need for it".

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary- and corpus-verified words by regular grammar. The affirmative Nazali na mposa na yango (I need this) occurs in a corpus sentence; te negates it.

11. Nazali koluka yango

    I am looking for it

    Usage

    Used for something you have lost or are seeking in a shop.

    Grammar Note

    Nazali ko- is the progressive (I am doing) with koluka (to look for); the same pattern occurs in the Bible.

12. Nazali na yango

    I have it

    Usage

    States that you have something; the negative adds te.

    Grammar Note

    Having is expressed with na (with): nazali na means I have.

13. Nazali na yango te

    I do not have it

    Usage

    States that you do not have it; the same form occurs in the Bible.

    Grammar Note

    The negative particle te comes at the end.

14. Yebisa ngai, nabondeli yo

    Please tell me

    Usage

    When you want someone to tell you directions or a price.

    Grammar Note

    The same words occur in the Bible (Nabondeli yo, yebisa ngai). Yebisa is the imperative of tell.

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