na nan

Being in a Place

Level 2

Subject + na nan locates a referent here; full agreeing forms are also possible.

How It Works

A basic location statement uses a continuative subject form followed directly by the place. Nan means here: yana nan, tana nan and suna nan locate masculine, feminine and plural referents. With an expressed subject, personal agreement can be omitted, leaving subject + na nan.

The remaining na stays unchanged with feminine and plural subjects. Full forms continue to show agreement. Compare Hauwa na nan., Hauwa is here, with Hauwa ce., It is Hauwa. The first locates a person; the second identifies her.

Plain continuative location takes its place directly, without general locative a immediately after the marker. Questions or focus can require relative forms. Distinguish this separate locative na from attached possessive -na and completive na by examining the whole construction. Ordinary spelling does not display all their pronunciation differences.

Examples (3)

  1. Hauwa na nan.

    Hauwa is here.

    The overt feminine subject permits shortened na.

  2. Alkalami yana nan.

    The pen is here.

    The full masculine subject form is retained.

  3. Baƙi na nan.

    The guests are here.

    An overt plural subject also permits na.

How It Connects

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na nanLevel 2Being in a Place

Learn This First

Recognize singular and plural continuative location forms and identification before distinguishing where someone is from what someone is and using reduced na in location predicates.

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Words in This Pattern

nanyana