The Perfect for Present States

Level 2

Mabrɛ means I am tired, literally I have got tired. For many states, Twi uses the perfect where English uses am or is.

How It Works

1. The pattern
Perfect a- + change verb = the state now. The usual contractions apply: me + a- becomes ma-, ɔ + a- becomes wa-.

  • Mabrɛ. (I am tired.)
  • Mayɛ krado. (I am ready.)
  • Wawu. (He has died; he is dead.)
  • Kwadu no abere. (The banana is ripe.)

2. Compare the forms

  • Mabrɛ: I am tired now.
  • Merebrɛ: I am getting tired.
  • Mebrɛ: I get tired, as a habit.

3. Asking
Use the same form with question intonation: Woabrɛ? (Are you tired?).

4. Feelings
Many feelings use the same perfect with a body part: M'ani agye (I am happy). See Feelings Through the Body. Other states use a plain state verb instead, such as Ɛkɔm de me (I am hungry); see Hunger and Thirst: ɛkɔm de me.

Examples (6)

  1. Mabrɛ.

    I am tired.

    Word by Word: I.have.got.tired

  2. Mayɛ krado.

    I am ready.

    Word by Word: I.have.become ready

  3. Wawu.

    He has died. He is dead.

    Word by Word: he.has.died

  4. Kwadu no abere.

    The banana is ripe.

    Word by Word: banana the has.ripened

  5. Woabrɛ?

    Are you tired?

    Word by Word: you.have.got.tired

  6. M'ani agye.

    I am happy.

    Word by Word: my eye has.received

    A body-part feeling in the perfect.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the plain form for a state right now.

    Mebrɛ.
    Mabrɛ.

    Mebrɛ means I get tired, as a habit. To say you are tired now, use the perfect: mabrɛ.

  • Using the progressive for a finished state.

    Kwadu no rebere.
    Kwadu no abere.

    Rebere means the banana is ripening, still on the way. Abere says it is ripe now.

How It Connects

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The Perfect for Present StatesLevel 2

Learn This First

Present states use the perfect.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

a-