N- (Negative Command)
Don't: Negative Commands
Add a nasal to the front of a command to say don't: Kɔ! (Go!) → Nkɔ! (Don't go!).
How It Works
A command to one person is the bare verb, as in commands. To make it negative, add the nasal:
- Kɔ! (Go!) → Nkɔ! (Don't go!)
- Tena ase. (Sit down.) → Ntena ase. (Don't sit down.)
- Fa. (Take it.) → Mfa. (Don't take it.)
Spelling the nasal. Write m before b, f, m and p, and n before everything else. After the nasal, b turns into m and d into n. See sound changes after the negative.
Don't come. The positive command of ba (come) is the special form Bra! The negative does not use bra. It uses ba, which becomes mma: Mma ha! (Don't come here!)
Everyday ones. Nsuro! (Don't be afraid!), Nsu. (Don't cry.), Nka saa. (Don't say that.) Add mepa wo kyɛw to soften it: Mepa wo kyɛw, nsu. (Please don't cry.)
No subject prefix. Do not add me- or wo-. Menkɔ is a statement: I do not go.
To a group. A negative command to several people starts with mo- and has two nasals: Monnsuro! (Don't be afraid, all of you!). See commands to a group.
Examples (6)
- Nkɔ!
Don't go!
Word by Word: Not-go!
- Nsuro!
Don't be afraid!
Word by Word: Not-fear!
From suro (fear).
- Mma ha!
Don't come here!
Word by Word: Not-come here!
The negative uses ba, not bra, and b becomes m after the nasal.
- Nka saa.
Don't say that.
Word by Word: Not-say so.
- Mfa me nwoma no.
Don't take my book.
Word by Word: Not-take my book the.
The nasal is written m before f.
- Mepa wo kyɛw, nsu.
Please don't cry.
Word by Word: I-beg you, not-cry.
Common Mistakes
Adding the subject prefix me-.
Menkɔ!Nkɔ!Menkɔ is a statement, I do not go, or a wish, let me go. A command to one person has no subject prefix.
Building the negative on bra.
Mmra ha!Mma ha!Bra is only for the positive command Bra! (Come!). The negative uses ba, which becomes mma.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Negative commands combine commands and the negative nasal.
Related Patterns
- Sound Changes After the Negative
Explains why ba becomes mma in Mma ha!
Level 2 - mo- + N- (Group Command)Commands to a Group
Group commands add mo-, and negative ones have two nasals.
Level 2 - N- (Optative)Let and May: The Optative
The optative also adds a nasal but means let or may, and is said on a high pitch.
Level 2 - mepa wo kyɛwPlease: Mepa Wo Kyɛw
Mepa wo kyɛw softens a don't into a polite request.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice N- (Negative Command) in Bubblegum
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