taa (Often)
Often: Taa
Taa + verb means often or usually do something: Metaa kɔ hɔ (I often go there).
How It Works
1. The pattern
Subject prefix + taa + main verb.
- Metaa kɔ hɔ. (I often go there.)
- Ɔtaa ba ha. (She usually comes here.)
- Yɛtaa di ɛmo. (We usually eat rice.)
2. In the past
For something that used to happen often, put na before the clause: Na Kofi taa kɔ hɔ (Kofi used to go there often).
3. In the negative
Both verbs take the negative nasal: Mentaa nkɔ hɔ (I do not often go there). Note that ba becomes mma after the nasal: Ɔntaa mma ha (She does not often come here).
4. Another way to say often
Mpɛn pii (many times) goes at the end of the clause: Mekɔ hɔ mpɛn pii (I go there many times). Taa, not mpɛn pii, is the word that goes before the verb.
Examples (6)
- Metaa kɔ hɔ.
I often go there.
Word by Word: I-often go there
- Ɔtaa ba ha.
She usually comes here.
Word by Word: she-often come here
Only taa carries the subject prefix ɔ-; ba follows with no prefix.
- Yɛtaa di ɛmo anwummerɛ.
We usually eat rice in the evening.
Word by Word: we-often eat rice evening
- Na Kofi taa kɔ hɔ.
Kofi used to go there often.
Word by Word: (past) Kofi often go there
Na before the clause puts the habit in the past.
- Mentaa nkɔ hɔ.
I do not often go there.
Word by Word: I-not-often not-go there
Both taa and kɔ take the negative nasal.
- Ɔntaa mma ha.
She does not often come here.
After the nasal, ba (come) becomes mma.
Common Mistakes
Putting the negative on taa only.
Mentaa kɔ hɔ.Mentaa nkɔ hɔ.When taa is negative, the main verb is negative too. Both taa and kɔ take the nasal.
Putting taa at the end like English often.
Mekɔ hɔ taa.Metaa kɔ hɔ.Taa is a verb and goes before the main verb, with the subject prefix on it. To say often at the end, use mpɛn pii: Mekɔ hɔ mpɛn pii.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Taa is a verb that opens a series before the main verb.
Related Patterns
- Simple Present
Taa adds often or usually to the plain habitual verb.
Level 1 - na + Simple PresentUsed to: Na + Simple Present
Na + taa describes something that used to happen often.
Level 3 - ɛtɔ da a (Sometimes)Sometimes: Ɛtɔ Da a
Ɛtɔ da a means sometimes, a lower frequency than taa.
Level 4 - N- (Negative)Negative Prefix N-
In the negative, both taa and the main verb take the nasal.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice taa (Often) in Bubblegum
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