obiara + Negative (Nobody)

Nobody and Nothing with Negatives

Level 3

Obiara nnim means Nobody knows. The negative sits on the verb, and obiara then means nobody.

How It Works

1. Nobody as the subject
Obiara + any negative verb form:

2. Obi or obiara
Obi (someone) with a negative also means nobody: Obi nni hɔ (Nobody is there), Obi nni fie (Nobody is at home). Obiara is stronger: not a single person. See Someone, Something, Somewhere.

3. Anyone after a negative verb
As an object, obiara after a negative verb means anyone: Manhunu obiara (I did not see anyone), Mennim obiara wɔ ha (I do not know anyone here).

4. There is nobody who ...
Obiara nni hɔ a ... opens a relative clause: Obiara nni hɔ a ɔte sɛ wo (There is nobody like you). See Relative Clauses: a ... no and Like, Resemble: te sɛ.

5. The verb decides
With a positive verb, obiara means everyone: Obiara baeɛ (Everyone came). Nothing works the same way: the verb is negative, and Nothing, Anything: hwee stands for the thing: Menni hwee (I have nothing). Add At All: koraa for at all.

Examples (6)

  1. Obiara mmaeɛ.

    Nobody has come.

    Word by Word: everyone has-not-come

  2. Obi nni hɔ.

    Nobody is there.

    Word by Word: someone not-be-at there

  3. Obiara nnim.

    Nobody knows.

    Word by Word: everyone not-know

  4. Manhunu obiara.

    I did not see anyone.

    Word by Word: I-did-not-see everyone

    After a negative verb, obiara as an object means anyone.

  5. Mennim obiara wɔ ha.

    I do not know anyone here.

  6. Obiara nni hɔ a ɔte sɛ wo.

    There is nobody like you.

    Word by Word: everyone not-be-at there who he-is like you

Common Mistakes

  • Using obiara with a positive verb to mean nobody.

    Obiara baeɛ.
    Obiara amma.

    The intended meaning is Nobody came. Obiara baeɛ means Everyone came. The verb must be negative: amma (did not come).

How It Connects

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

obiara + Negative (Nobody)Level 3Nobody and Nothing with Negatives

Learn This First

Nobody combines obiara or obi with a negative verb.

Words in This Pattern

obiaraobi