ɛsɛ sɛ (Must)

Must, Should: Ɛsɛ Sɛ

Level 2

Ɛsɛ sɛ mekɔ means I have to go, literally it is fitting that I go. The person who must act comes after sɛ.

How It Works

1. The pattern
Ɛsɛ sɛ + subject + verb.

2. Should not
Put the negative on sɛ at the front: Ɛnsɛ sɛ wokɔ (You should not go).

3. Past and should have
Na puts it in the past: Na ɛsɛ sɛ mekɔ adwuma (I had to go to work). For should have, see Should Have: anka ɛsɛ sɛ.

4. Must be
Ɛsɛ sɛ can also mean something must be true: Ɛsɛ sɛ Kofi wɔ dan no mu (Kofi must be in the room).

5. Other forms
You will also hear ɛwɔ sɛ and ɛtwa sɛ with the same meaning of must. Fante says ɔwɔ dɛ.

Ɛsɛ sɛ mekɔ.
I have to go.
Word by Word: it.is.fitting that I.go
Ɛsɛ sɛ woba.
You must come.
Word by Word: it.is.fitting that you.come
Ɛnsɛ sɛ wokɔ.
You should not go.
Word by Word: it.not.fitting that you.go
The negative goes on sɛ at the front, not on the second verb.
Ɛsɛ sɛ yɛnom nsuo pii.
We should drink a lot of water.
Word by Word: it.is.fitting that we.drink water much
Na ɛsɛ sɛ mekɔ adwuma.
I had to go to work.
Word by Word: PAST it.is.fitting that I.go work
Ɛsɛ sɛ Kofi wɔ dan no mu.
Kofi must be in the room.
Word by Word: it.is.fitting that Kofi be.at room the inside
Here must means the speaker is sure, not that Kofi is required.

Putting the person on sɛ, like English I must.
Mesɛ sɛ mekɔ.
Ɛsɛ sɛ mekɔ.
The first part is always ɛsɛ (it is fitting). The person goes only in the clause after sɛ.
Leaving out the second sɛ.
Ɛsɛ mekɔ.
Ɛsɛ sɛ mekɔ.
Ɛsɛ needs sɛ (that) to join the clause about who must act.

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

ɛsɛ sɛ (Must)Level 2Must, Should: Ɛsɛ Sɛ

Must uses ɛ- for it before sɛ.

ɛsɛ sɛɛ

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