na (And Then)
And Then: Na
Na joins two clauses: Ɔbaa fie na ɔdidiiɛ (He came home and ate).
How It Works
1. Two clauses, in order
Put na between two complete clauses. The first event usually happens first:
- Ɔbaa fie na ɔdidiiɛ. (He came home and ate.)
- Kofi frɛɛ me, na mebaeɛ. (Kofi called me, and I came.)
- Kɔ na bra ntɛm. (Go and come back quickly.)
2. Each clause keeps its own tense
In the past, both verbs show the past. A verb at the end of its clause takes the clause-final form: ɔdidiiɛ, mebaeɛ. See Simple Past at the End of a Clause.
3. Different subjects
The two clauses can have different subjects: Akwasi maa Akosua sika na Akosua nso maa Akwasi ntoma (Akwasi gave Akosua money, and Akosua in turn gave Akwasi cloth).
4. Na or ne?
Na joins clauses; ne joins nouns and pronouns. See And: ne or na?.
5. Na or a serial verb?
Twi can also chain verbs with no joining word at all to show one connected event. See Serial Verbs. Na keeps the two actions as separate steps.
6. Other words spelled na
The same spelling has other jobs, and tone is not written:
- At the start of a clause before a state, na places it in the past: Past States With na.
- Right after a fronted word, na marks focus: Focus on the Subject and Question Words With na.
Na for and sits between two whole clauses, so its position tells you which one you have.
Examples (5)
- Ɔbaa fie na ɔdidiiɛ.
He came home and ate.
Word by Word: he-came home and he-ate
Didiiɛ is the past at the end of a clause.
- Kofi frɛɛ me, na mebaeɛ.
Kofi called me, and I came.
Word by Word: Kofi called me, and I-came
- Kɔ na bra ntɛm.
Go and come back quickly.
Word by Word: go and come quickly
Two commands can be joined with na.
- Anɔpa biara medware na medidi.
Every morning I bathe and eat.
Word by Word: morning every I-bathe and I-eat
Habits in the present are joined the same way.
- Akwasi maa Akosua sika na Akosua nso maa Akwasi ntoma.
Akwasi gave Akosua money, and Akosua in turn gave Akwasi cloth.
The second clause has its own subject, Akosua.
Common Mistakes
Joining two clauses with ne.
Ɔbaa fie ne ɔdidiiɛ.Ɔbaa fie na ɔdidiiɛ.Ne joins only nouns and pronouns. Between two clauses, use na.
Leaving the second verb in the present when both events are past.
Ɔbaa fie na ɔdidi.Ɔbaa fie na ɔdidiiɛ.Intended: He came home and ate. Each clause shows its own time, so the second verb also needs the past: ɔdidiiɛ.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Na joins clauses, often in the past.
Related Patterns
- ne or na?And: Ne or Na?
Compares na for clauses with ne for nouns.
Level 2 - ne (And)And Between Nouns: Ne
Ne is the and used between nouns and pronouns.
Level 1 - Serial Verbs
Serial verbs join actions with no joining word.
Level 2 - na (Past State)Past States with Na
The same spelling before a state places it in the past.
Level 2 - na (Subject Focus)Focus on the Subject: X Na
The same spelling after a fronted word marks focus.
Level 3 - nansoBut: Nanso
Nanso joins two clauses with a contrast.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice na (And Then) in Bubblegum
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