tupu: Before

Level 3

Tupu + subject + plain verb, main clause.

How It Works

Tupu starts a “before” clause.

SayMeaning
Tupu Ada gaa ụlọ akwụkwọ, o riri nri.Before Ada went to school, she ate.
Tupu ị gaa, rie nri.Before you go, eat.
Tupu anyị rie nri, saa aka.Before we eat, wash your hands.

The verb in the tupu clause is the plain form, with no past ending and no helper. The tense comes from the main clause. To say what came next, wee “and then” gives the order.

Examples (3)

  1. Tupu Ada gaa ụlọ akwụkwọ, o riri nri.

    Before Ada went to school, she ate.

    Gaa is plain.

  2. Tupu ị gaa, rie nri.

    Before you go, eat.

    Tupu then a command.

  3. Tupu anyị rie nri, saa aka.

    Before we eat, wash your hands.

    Rie is plain.

How It Connects

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

tupu: BeforeLevel 3

Learn This First

Tupu starts a clause about time as mgbe does, so mgbe comes first.

Words in This Pattern

tupu