awan

Saying There Is None

Level 1

Awan gives “there is no,” “there are no,” or “is absent.”

How It Works

Use awan with a noun phrase and an optional location. The existential noun can occur with or without ti. A marked name identifies a particular absent person: Awan ni Tomas ditoy says that Tomas is not here.

A possessed noun can give a lack-of-possession reading. Awan balayko idiay ili says that I have no house in town. The attached ko identifies the possessor, while the location limits the statement. Neither the particle nor its English rendering implies permanent absence everywhere.

Compare Awan libro ditoy, “There is no book here,” with Saan a dakkel ti libro, “The book is not big.” The latter denies a property of a book. When a preceding question supplies the missing content, Awan. can serve as a complete short answer.

Examples (3)

  1. Awan danum ditoy.

    There is no water here.

    The location limits the availability claim.

  2. Awan ni Tomas ditoy.

    Tomas is not here.

    Ni marks the particular absent person.

  3. Awan balayko idiay ili.

    I have no house in town.

    The noun's possessor supplies English I.

How It Connects

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

awanLevel 1Saying There Is None

Learn This First

Use awan to state absence or that there is none.