baa- (Counting People)
Counting People: Baanu, Baasa
Count people with baa-: nnipa baanu (two people), mmofra baasa (three children), yɛn baanan (the four of us).
How It Works
1. The forms
- baanu 2, baasa 3, baanan 4
- baanum 5, baasia 6, baason 7
- baawɔtwe 8, baakron 9
One person is onipa baako. From ten up, use the ordinary numbers: nnipa du (ten people), nnipa aduonu (twenty people).
2. After a noun
The noun is plural: nnipa baanu (two people), mmofra baasa (three children), asuafoɔ baanum (five students).
3. After a pronoun
Put the number after yɛn, mo or wɔn to say how many of us, you or them: yɛn baanu (the two of us), mo baasa (the three of you), wɔn baanan (the four of them). The ordinary numbers are also common here: yɛn mmienu (the two of us). See full pronouns.
4. Only for people
Animals and things take the ordinary numbers: nkokɔ mmiɛnsa (three chickens), not baasa.
5. A proverb
The baa- forms appear in a well-known saying: Baanu so a, emmia (When two people carry a load, it does not weigh them down).
Examples (6)
- Nnipa baanu baeɛ.
Two people came.
Word by Word: people two came
- Mewɔ mma baasa.
I have three children.
Word by Word: I-have children three
Mma means someone's children, sons and daughters.
- Yɛn baanu kɔɔ dwam.
The two of us went to the market.
Word by Word: we two went market
- Mo baanan, mommra ha.
The four of you, come here.
Word by Word: you-all four, you-all-come here
- Asuafoɔ baanum wɔ adesuadan no mu.
There are five students in the classroom.
Word by Word: students five are-at classroom the inside
- Mmofra baasa no redi agorɔ.
The three children are playing.
Word by Word: children three the are-playing game
Common Mistakes
Using a baa- number for animals or things.
Mewɔ nkokɔ baasa.Mewɔ nkokɔ mmiɛnsa.Baa- numbers count people only. Chickens take the ordinary number mmiɛnsa.
Keeping the noun singular after a baa- number.
Onipa baanu baeɛ.Nnipa baanu baeɛ.A number above one takes the plural noun. Onipa (person) becomes nnipa (people).
How It Connects
Learn This First
Counting people builds on the ordinary numbers.
Related Patterns
- Numbers From Eleven
From ten up, people are counted with the ordinary numbers.
Level 2 - me / wo / ɔno / yɛn / mo / wɔnIndependent Pronouns
Yɛn baanu and mo baasa put the number after a full pronoun.
Level 1 - -foɔPeople Who Do: -foɔ
Many people nouns counted with baa- are plurals in -foɔ, like asuafoɔ.
Level 2 - Order in the Noun Phrase
The number comes after the noun and any describing words.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice baa- (Counting People) in Bubblegum
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