mpo (Even)
Even: Mpo
Ɔno mpo nim means Even he knows. Mpo marks the most surprising case.
How It Works
1. After the word it highlights
- Ɔno mpo nim. (Even he knows.)
- Abofra mpo nim. (Even a child knows.)
- ɛnnɛ mpo (even today)
2. Not even
With a negative verb, mpo means not even: Kofi mpo antumi (Even Kofi could not), Wamma me nsuo mpo (He did not even give me water). See the negative past.
3. Adding a surprising extra
At the end of a sentence, mpo can also open an extra phrase: Ɔdware daa, mpo awɔ berɛ mu (She bathes every day, even in the cold season).
4. Even if
Inside a condition, mpo gives even if: Sɛ nsuo tɔ mpo a, mɛba (Even if it rains, I will come). See sɛ ... mpo a.
5. Mpo or nso?
Nso simply adds: Kofi nso baeɛ (Kofi came too). Mpo adds surprise: Kofi mpo baeɛ (Even Kofi came).
Examples (6)
- Ɔno mpo nim.
Even he knows.
Word by Word: he even knows
- Abofra mpo nim.
Even a child knows.
Word by Word: child even knows
- Kofi mpo antumi.
Even Kofi could not do it.
Word by Word: Kofi even did-not-manage
- Wamma me nsuo mpo.
He did not even give me water.
Word by Word: he-did-not-give me water even
Mpo follows nsuo, the thing that was not even given.
- Ɔdware daa, mpo awɔ berɛ mu.
She bathes every day, even in the cold season.
Word by Word: she-bathes always, even cold time in
Here mpo opens an extra phrase at the end.
- Sɛ nsuo tɔ mpo a, mɛba.
Even if it rains, I will come.
Word by Word: if water falls even (if), I-will-come
Common Mistakes
Using nso when you mean even.
Kofi nso baeɛ. (meaning even Kofi came)Kofi mpo baeɛ.Nso means also, so Kofi nso baeɛ says Kofi came too. Mpo adds the surprise of even.
Dropping the closing a in even if.
Sɛ nsuo tɔ mpo, mɛba.Sɛ nsuo tɔ mpo a, mɛba.Even if is still a sɛ ... a condition, so it needs the closing a.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- nso (Also)Also, Too: Nso
Nso adds another case; mpo adds a surprising one.
Level 2 - sɛ ... mpo a (Even If)Even if: Sɛ ... Mpo a
Mpo inside a sɛ ... a condition gives even if.
Level 5 - a-N- (Negative Past)Did Not: A- + N-
With a negative verb, mpo means not even: Kofi mpo antumi.
Level 2 - koraaAt All: Koraa
Koraa also strengthens a negative: not at all.
Level 3 - ara (Just, Very)Just, Very: Ara
Ara is another word that follows and stresses a word.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice mpo (Even) in Bubblegum
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