Repetition in Word Formation
The word class and copying pattern determine the available meaning.
How It Works
Whole-base repetition can distribute quantities or occasions. Repeated numerals indicate quantities for each recipient or group; repeated time expressions can indicate intermittent occurrence. Thus biyu-biyu means ‘two each’ in an allocation, and lokaci-lokaci means ‘from time to time’.
Full repetition can also make a description approximate: ruwa-ruwa means ‘watery’. Such formations may shorten vowels, which ordinary Boko leaves unmarked. Repetition therefore does not invariably strengthen a description.
Verbal pluractionals such as rarraba use partial copying and can distribute action across objects, places, participants, or occasions. Lexical noun and adjective plurals constitute another domain. Sababbin contains plural adjective sababbi plus linker -n. Learn each paradigm: neither complete repetition nor a single partial-copying template supplies every plural or repeated-action form. Agreement follows the resulting construction, rather than repetition alone.
Examples (5)
- Na ba yara littattafai biyu-biyu.
I gave the children two books each.
The repeated numeral specifies a distributive quantity.
- Muna zuwa kasuwa lokaci-lokaci.
We go to the market from time to time.
The repeated time expression indicates intermittent occurrence.
- Ta rarraba takardu a makaranta.
She distributed papers at the school.
The pluractional verb describes distributed action.
- Waɗannan jakunkuna jajaye ne.
These bags are red.
Plural jajaye agrees with the bags.
- Na kawo sababbin littattafai.
I brought new books.
Plural sababbi takes linker -n before the noun.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Recognize repeated actions, counting, adjective plurality and exceptional ba recipient-before-gift order before learning particular distributive and emphatic reduplications.
- Repeated or Distributed Actions
Recognize repeated actions, counting, adjective plurality and exceptional ba recipient-before-gift order before learning particular distributive and emphatic reduplications.
Level 4 - Counting Nouns
Recognize repeated actions, counting, adjective plurality and exceptional ba recipient-before-gift order before learning particular distributive and emphatic reduplications.
Level 1 - Describing Several Referents
Recognize repeated actions, counting, adjective plurality and exceptional ba recipient-before-gift order before learning particular distributive and emphatic reduplications.
Level 3 - ba / ce / shaShort Verbs with Their Own Patterns
Recognize repeated actions, counting, adjective plurality and exceptional ba recipient-before-gift order before learning particular distributive and emphatic reduplications.
Level 3
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice Repetition in Word Formation in Bubblegum
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