Clause With kí
A Desired or Intended Event
Governing expression + kí + subject + predicate; purpose kí can contain lè.
How It Works
A kí clause contains an event with its own subject and predicate. Ó yẹ kí evaluates it, jẹ́ kí invites or permits it, and fẹ́ kí expresses desire concerning its stated participant. The governing expression determines the relationship; kí does not replace every English “that.”
In Mo fẹ́ kí Bísí ṣí fèrèsé náà, the speaker wants Bísí to act. First-person singular after kí uses n rather than ordinary mo. The embedded verb does not take person or number endings.
A purpose clause with kí … lè states what an action is intended to make possible, without asserting success. Reported statements use pé in their own frame. Interrogative kí and temporal kí … tó have separate functions.
Examples (3)
- Ó yẹ kí àwọn ọmọ wẹ ọwọ́ wọn.
The children should wash their hands.
The embedded clause supplies the recommended event and its actors.
- Mo fẹ́ kí Bísí ṣí fèrèsé náà.
I want Bísí to open the window.
The desiring speaker and intended actor are separately expressed.
- Mo ra ìwé kí o lè kọ́ Yorùbá.
I bought a book so that you can learn Yoruba.
The purpose clause identifies an intended opportunity, without asserting that learning occurs.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- ó yẹ kíWhat Should Happen
Evaluates the following event.
Level 2 - jẹ́ kíLetting Something Happen
Introduces an allowed or invited event.
Level 2 - kí ... lèAn Intended Result
Develops intended-result clauses.
Level 2 - péReporting a Statement
Introduces reported statement content.
Level 2 - kí / kí niAsking What
Teaches interrogative kí.
Level 1
Practice Clause With kí in Bubblegum
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