yadda

How or the Way That

Level 5

A yadda clause describes a manner and carries its own subject and action frame.

How It Works

Yadda introduces “how” or “the way that” in a dependent manner description. After manta, it can identify the manner someone has forgotten. Kamar yadda introduces a comparison meaning “as.” These connectors do not vary with participants’ gender or number; the following clause supplies its own subject marking.

Compare Na manta kayan., “I forgot the things,” with Na manta yadda na shirya kayan., “I forgot how I arranged the things.” The second describes forgotten arrangement rather than forgotten objects. This completed manner frame uses relative completive, while a future comparison retains future marking. Choose the paradigm for the complete construction.

Ordinary Nigerian Boko does not mark tone or vowel length, so written na alone cannot show the pronunciation distinction between completive frames. Dependent yadda differs from a direct question with yaya?.

Examples (3)

  1. Na manta yadda na shirya kayan.

    I forgot how I arranged the things.

    The forgotten content is the manner of arrangement.

  2. Za mu shirya ɗakin kamar yadda za ku gani.

    We will arrange the room as you will see.

    The comparison anticipates what the listeners will observe.

  3. Za su raba abincin kamar yadda zan nuna muku.

    They will distribute the food as I will show you.

    The demonstration supplies a model; muku identifies its recipients.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

yaddaLevel 5How or the Way That

Learn This First

Recognize relative action clauses, future plans and plural demonstration recipients before comparing a way of acting with the way someone demonstrates it.

Words in This Pattern

yaddakàmár̃