nanso
But: Nanso
Nanso means but: Mepɛ, nanso menni sika (I want it, but I have no money).
How It Works
1. Where nanso goes
Nanso begins the second clause. Both clauses keep their own subject and verb:
- Mepɛ, nanso menni sika. (I want it, but I have no money.)
- Ɔwɔ sika nanso ɔnni aduane pa. (He has money, but he has no good food.)
2. Often a negative second part
The second clause very often turns the first one around with a negative verb: Mepɛ fufu nanso mempɛ akokɔnam (I like fufu, but I do not like chicken). This is common, not a rule: Ɔyɛ ketewa, nanso ɔyɛ den (He is small, but he is strong).
3. Tense stays in each clause
Each verb shows its own time: Mekɔɔ fie hɔ nanso manhu no (I went to the house, but I did not see him). See Did Not: a- + N-.
4. Other words for but
Nso can also mean but or yet between clauses. Mmom is sometimes used like nanso, and in ɛnyɛ ... na mmom it means not ... but rather.
5. And, but, so
Use na when the second clause simply follows, nanso when it goes against expectation, and enti when it is a result.
Examples (5)
- Mepɛ, nanso menni sika.
I want it, but I have no money.
Word by Word: I-want, but I-not-have money
- Ɔwɔ sika nanso ɔnni aduane pa.
He has money, but he has no good food.
Word by Word: he-has money but he-not-have food good
- Mekɔɔ fie hɔ nanso manhu no.
I went to the house, but I did not see him.
Word by Word: I-went house there but I-did-not-see him
Each clause shows its own past: kɔɔ and the negative past manhu.
- Mepɛ fufu nanso mempɛ akokɔnam.
I like fufu, but I do not like chicken.
Word by Word: I-like fufu but I-not-like chicken-meat
- Ɔyɛ ketewa, nanso ɔyɛ den.
He is small, but he is strong.
Word by Word: he-is small, but he-is hard
The second clause does not have to be negative.
Common Mistakes
Putting nanso at the end of the sentence.
Mepɛ, menni sika nanso.Mepɛ, nanso menni sika.Nanso opens the second clause, the same place English puts but.
Using ne (and) to join two clauses.
Mepɛ ne menni sika.Mepɛ, nanso menni sika.Ne joins only nouns and pronouns. To contrast two clauses, use nanso.
Related Patterns
- nso (Also)Also, Too: Nso
Nso can also mean but or yet between clauses.
Level 2 - na (And Then)And Then: Na
Na joins clauses without contrast.
Level 2 - mmom (Rather)Rather: Mmom
Mmom can work like nanso and corrects a statement.
Level 5 - enti (So)So, Therefore: Enti
Enti joins a result instead of a contrast.
Level 3 - ne or na?And: Ne or Na?
Explains why ne never joins two clauses.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice nanso in Bubblegum
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