ta / ta ni
Asking Who
Ta ni asks who; noun + ta can ask whose.
How It Works
Ta asks for a person's identity. The fronted question frame uses ta ni. Before nominal material, it requests identification. In a positive actor question, ó occupies the following subject position. In an object question, retain the actual subject and leave the unknown object understood. Neither pattern distinguishes male from female participants.
Compare Ta ni ó ṣí ilẹ̀kùn?, 'Who opened the door?', with Ta ni Sẹ́gun pè?, 'Whom did Sẹ́gun call?' The unknown person has a different role in each clause.
For possession, put ta after the possessed noun, as in a question about whose bag something is. Scope the subject pattern to positive clauses: Standard Yoruba negative questions use ta ni kò …, without the positive ó.
Examples (3)
- Ta ni ó ṣí ilẹ̀kùn?
Who opened the door?
Questions the actor.
- Ta ni Sẹ́gun pè?
Whom did Sẹ́gun call?
Questions the person called.
- Àpò ta ni èyí?
Whose bag is this?
Questions the possessor.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice ta / ta ni in Bubblegum
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