kí ... lè

An Intended Result

Level 2

Main action + kí + subject + lè + verb phrase.

How It Works

After a suitable main action, use kí, state the subject of the intended event, and put lè before its verb phrase. For example, kí a lè kà means “so that we can read.” The subject follows kí even when it refers to the same people as the main subject. Neither the verbs nor lè takes person or number endings.

A purpose clause states what the first action aims to make possible; it does not assert that the intended event actually happens. Compare A lè kà, “We can read,” with kí a lè kà attached to an action that enables reading. After a desire predicate, this sequence can describe a desired ability instead. Oke separately attests purpose and desire environments, so the purpose meaning belongs to the complete construction and context.

Examples (3)

  1. Mo ṣí fèrèsé kí afẹ́fẹ́ lè wọlé.

    I opened the window so that air could come in.

    Afẹ́fẹ́ is the subject of the intended event.

  2. A tan iná kí a lè ka ìwé.

    We turned on the light so that we could read.

    A identifies the same group in both clauses.

  3. Mo fún Bísí ní ìwé kí ó lè kọ́ Yorùbá.

    I gave Bísí a book so that she could learn Yoruba.

    Ó refers to Bísí as the intended learner.

How It Connects

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

kí ... lèLevel 2An Intended Result

Learn This First

Kí + subject + lè + action can mean “so that … can …”.