nko ara / pɛ (Alone, Only)
Alone, Only: Nko Ara, Pɛ
Me nko ara means me alone or just me. Baako pɛ means only one.
How It Works
1. Nko ara after a word
Put nko ara right after the person or thing:
- me nko ara (just me, me alone)
- Medɔ wo nko ara. (I love only you.)
2. With focus na
As a subject, nko ara usually comes with Focus on the Subject: X na: Wo nko ara na wonim (You alone know), Me nko ara na mekɔeɛ (I was the only one who went). As an object it works with Focus on the Object: X na: Nsuo nko ara na ɔnom (He drinks only water).
3. Pɛ after numbers
After a number or amount, only is pɛ: baako pɛ (only one), ɛdan baako pɛ (just one house), mmofra baanu pɛ (only two children). See Numbers One to Ten and Counting People: baanu, baasa.
4. Two words spelled pɛ
The verb pɛ means want or like. The only-word pɛ follows a number. Both appear in Mepɛ baako pɛ (I want only one).
5. How it sounds
The r in ara is often glided over, so nko ara sounds like nkoaa. The same ara appears in Just, Very: ara.
Examples (6)
- Wo nko ara na wonim.
You alone know.
Word by Word: you alone FOCUS you-know
- Medɔ wo nko ara.
I love only you.
Word by Word: I-love you alone
- Me nko ara na mekɔeɛ.
I was the only one who went.
Word by Word: me alone FOCUS I-went
- Nsuo nko ara na ɔnom.
He drinks only water.
Word by Word: water alone FOCUS he-drinks
- Mepɛ baako pɛ.
I want only one.
Word by Word: I-want one only
The first pɛ is the verb want; the second, after the number, means only.
- Mmofra baanu pɛ na wɔbaeɛ.
Only two children came.
Word by Word: children two only FOCUS they-came
People are counted with baanu, and pɛ follows the number.
Common Mistakes
Putting nko ara before the word it limits.
Nko ara me na mekɔeɛ.Me nko ara na mekɔeɛ.Nko ara follows the person or thing it limits, like other words that describe a noun.
Putting pɛ before the number.
Mepɛ pɛ baako.Mepɛ baako pɛ.Only-pɛ comes after the number. Before the number, pɛ can only be read as the verb want.
Related Patterns
- ara (Just, Very)Just, Very: Ara
The ara in nko ara adds exactness.
Level 3 - na (Subject Focus)Focus on the Subject: X Na
Nko ara subjects usually take focus na.
Level 3 - na (Object Focus)Focus on the Object: X Na
Nsuo nko ara na ɔnom focuses the object.
Level 3 - Numbers One to Ten
Pɛ follows these numbers.
Level 1 - baa- (Counting People)Counting People: Baanu, Baasa
Mmofra baanu pɛ counts people.
Level 2 - ankasaOneself, Really: Ankasa
Ankasa stresses a person without meaning alone.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice nko ara / pɛ (Alone, Only) in Bubblegum
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