a kan / a ƙarƙashin

On and Under

Level 2

Use a kan or a ƙarƙashin in an added location phrase; plain continuative location takes the spatial expression directly.

How It Works

A kan places something on a reference object, commonly a surface. A ƙarƙashin places it under the following reference object. Put that object after the linked spatial expression: a kan gado, on a bed, contrasts with a ƙarƙashin gado, under a bed.

Actions and existence statements can take these added location phrases. Plain continuative location instead takes the specific spatial expression directly after its subject form. Compare Akwai hula a kan akwatin., There is a cap on the box, with Hula tana kan akwatin., The cap is on the box. The second locates an identified item.

The linking material belongs to the spatial expression, not to the noun that follows. These noun-based relations also take possessive-series pronoun complements; kansa can mean on it. Interpret such forms within the spatial construction, since related words also occur in bodily and reflexive expressions.

Examples (3)

  1. Akwai kwano a kan kujera.

    There is a bowl on a chair.

    The existential statement takes an added surface-location phrase.

  2. Hula tana kan akwatin.

    The cap is on the box.

    Plain continuative location uses kan directly; akwatin names the known box.

  3. Na ajiye takalmi a ƙarƙashin gado.

    I put a shoe under the bed.

    The action takes an added under-location phrase, with gado as the reference object.

How It Connects

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a kan / a ƙarƙashinLevel 2On and Under

Learn This First

Use the established relational location frame before contrasting a surface with a position underneath an object.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

ƙàr̃ƙáshín