na (Past State)
Past States with Na
To say how things were, put na in front of a sentence that describes a state: Na mewɔ Kumase (I was in Kumasi). The verb itself does not change.
How It Works
How it works. Take a sentence that describes a state now and put na in front: Mewɔ Kumase (I am in Kumasi) becomes Na mewɔ Kumase (I was in Kumasi). The verb keeps its present form. This works with the state verbs wɔ (be at, have), te (live), nim (know) and pɛ (want, like), and with yɛ (be): Na ɔyɛ ɔkyerɛkyerɛfoɔ (She was a teacher).
Na comes first. Na stands at the very start of its clause, before a noun subject: Na Kofi wɔ fie (Kofi was at home). A noun followed by na means something else: Kofi na ɔwɔ fie is the focus pattern, It is Kofi who is at home.
Negatives. Keep the present negative and add na: Na mennim (I did not know), Na menni sika (I had no money), Na Kofi nni fie (Kofi was not at home).
Setting the scene. Na often follows a clause about an event to say what the situation was at that moment: Mebaeɛ no, na ɔwɔ fie (When I came, he was at home). The same na goes with other forms: with re- it gives Was Doing: na + re-, and with a plain action verb it gives a past habit, Used To: na + Simple Present.
Same spelling, different word. This na is spelled like na (and then) and like the focus na, but it is said with a high pitch and it opens its own clause.
Examples (6)
- Na mewɔ Kumase.
I was in Kumasi.
Mewɔ Kumase (I am in Kumasi), moved into the past with na.
- Na mennim.
I did not know.
Na before the present negative mennim (I do not know).
- Na Kofi te Nkran.
Kofi lived in Accra.
With a noun subject, na comes before the noun.
- Na ɔyɛ ɔkyerɛkyerɛfoɔ.
She was a teacher.
Yɛ (be) with na describes what someone was.
- Na menni sika.
I had no money.
Nni, the negative of wɔ (have), with na.
- Mebaeɛ no, na ɔwɔ fie.
When I came, he was at home.
The first clause names an event; na describes the situation at that moment.
Common Mistakes
Putting na after the subject to mean was.
Kofi na ɔwɔ fie.Na Kofi wɔ fie.Kofi na ɔwɔ fie is a focus sentence meaning It is Kofi who is at home. For Kofi was at home, na must come first.
Using yɛ for a place.
Na meyɛ Kumase.Na mewɔ Kumase.Location always uses wɔ, in the past too. Yɛ says what someone is or is like.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Na gives state verbs a past.
Related Patterns
- na + re-Was Doing: Na + Re-
The same na before re- gives the past progressive, was doing.
Level 2 - na + Simple PresentUsed to: Na + Simple Present
The same na before an action verb describes a past habit, used to.
Level 3 - wɔ (Be At)To Be at: Wɔ
The most common state verb used with na: Na mewɔ Kumase.
Level 1 - na (Subject Focus)Focus on the Subject: X Na
A different na that follows a fronted word; it must not be confused with past na.
Level 3 - berɛ a ... noWhen in the Past: Berɛ a ... No
Often sets the time before a na clause: Berɛ a meduruu fie no, na ɔredidi.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice na (Past State) in Bubblegum
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