Verb Grades and Meaning
Learn each verb’s grade, meaning and argument frame together.
How It Works
The traditional seven-grade system classifies final vowels, tones and object behavior. Two-syllable base forms in Grades 1 and 4 have high–low tones with long -a and -e. Grade 2 is transitive, normally low–high with long -a; Grade 3 is intransitive with short -a. Longer stems and exceptional members require fuller patterns. These are pronunciation descriptions, not ordinary Boko spelling marks.
Grade 5 includes forms conventionally called causatives; Grade 6 has long -o and high tones; Grade 7 has short -u and final high tone. Grade 4 includes lexical verbs, and Grades 1–3 can also carry derived meanings. Not every root occurs in every grade.
Compare the verb-phrase fragments sayi gero ‘buy millet’, sayo gero ‘buy millet and bring it’ and sayar da gero ‘sell millet’. Subject-TAM marking supplies the action frame. Frequent monosyllables and some underived -i/-u verbs require separate treatment in the traditional system; Newman's expanded analysis adds Grade 0 and Grade 3 subtypes.
Examples (3)
- Mun sayi gero.
We bought millet.
Grade 2 selects noun-object -i.
- Mun sayo gero.
We bought millet and brought it back.
Grade 6 adds the ventive meaning.
- Mun sayar da gero.
We sold millet.
Grade 5 sayar has the conventional meaning ‘sell’.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Recognize verbal nouns, direct-object reference and da-governed complements before comparing source-attested verb grades and their object contexts.
- Actions Used Like Nouns
Recognize verbal nouns, direct-object reference and da-governed complements before comparing source-attested verb grades and their object contexts.
Level 3 - ni / ka / ki / shi / taDirect Object Pronouns
Recognize verbal nouns, direct-object reference and da-governed complements before comparing source-attested verb grades and their object contexts.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- A Common Verb Grade
Develops regular -a morphology.
Level 3 - Object-Dependent Verb Forms
Develops variable-vowel patterns.
Level 3 - Completed or Resultative Action Meanings
Explains lexical and derived -e meanings.
Level 3 - An Action Toward a Viewpoint
Develops viewpoint-related meanings.
Level 4 - gani / sani / bariCommon Verbs Outside the Grades
Covers frequent traditional exceptions.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Verb Grades and Meaning in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Hausa lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
