ní + Place

At or in a Place

Level 1

Use subject + predicate + ní + place.

How It Works

With wà, a ní phrase states where someone or something is present. With working or residence predicates, it identifies their setting. The marker does not change with the subject's person or number.

English may use ‘at’ or ‘in’. General ní need not specify enclosure; nínú gives a more precise interior relation. Compare ní Ìbàdàn, a location, with sí Ìbàdàn, a destination.

Preserve high-tone ní, distinct from mid-tone ni. Established joined forms include nílé ‘at home’. Their existence does not establish a mechanical spelling rule for every vowel-initial place name.

  • Bísí wà ní Ìbàdàn. — Bísí is in Ibadan. The phrase locates Bísí.
  • A ń ṣiṣẹ́ ní ilé-ìwé. — We are working at the school. The phrase gives the work's setting.
  • Wọ́n ń gbé ní Èkó. — They live in Lagos. The phrase gives their place of residence.
  • Bísí ń lọ sí Ìbàdàn. — Bísí is going to Ibadan. This contrast uses a destination marker.

Examples (4)

  1. Bísí wà ní Ìbàdàn.

    Bísí is in Ibadan.

    Ní introduces the location after wà.

  2. A ń ṣiṣẹ́ ní ilé-ìwé.

    We are working at the school.

    The ní phrase gives the setting of the work.

  3. Wọ́n ń gbé ní Èkó.

    They live in Lagos.

    Ní introduces the place of residence.

  4. Bísí ń lọ sí Ìbàdàn.

    Bísí is going to Ibadan.

    Sí supplies a destination, contrasting with ní in the location example.

How It Connects

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

ní + PlaceLevel 1At or in a Place

Learn This First

Place ní before a location to say where a situation holds.