nínú / lórí / lábẹ́

Inside, On and Under

Level 1

Use subject + wà + spatial expression + reference object.

How It Works

For a simple spatial statement, use subject + wà + spatial expression + reference object. Use nínú for an interior, lórí for an ‘on’ relation and lábẹ́ for an ‘under’ relation. These forms do not take number agreement endings.

Compare money nínú àpò ‘inside a bag’ with a cap lórí àpò ‘on a bag’. The same reference object supports different spatial relations. General ní often gives a less specific setting.

Preserve the established spellings and tones. Page 90 presents ní orí alongside lórí; this supports that particular relationship without establishing a universal contraction paradigm. Learn lábẹ́ with its two high tones. Each spatial expression precedes the noun naming the reference object.

  • Owó wà nínú àpò. — Money is inside the bag. The bag's interior is the location.
  • Fìlà wà lórí àpò. — A cap is on the bag. The relation is ‘on’.
  • Ajá wà lábẹ́ àga. — A dog is under the chair. The chair is the reference object, and the dog is below it.
  • Àwọn ọmọ wà nínú yàrá. — The children are inside the room. A plural subject uses the same spatial expression.

Examples (4)

  1. Owó wà nínú àpò.

    Money is inside the bag.

    Nínú identifies the bag's interior.

  2. Fìlà wà lórí àpò.

    A cap is on the bag.

    Lórí identifies an ‘on’ relation to the bag.

  3. Ajá wà lábẹ́ àga.

    A dog is under the chair.

    Lábẹ́ places the dog under the reference object àga.

  4. Àwọn ọmọ wà nínú yàrá.

    The children are inside the room.

    The spatial expression remains unchanged with a plural subject.

How It Connects

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

nínú / lórí / lábẹ́Level 1Inside, On and Under

Learn This First

Use precise spatial relations: inside, on and under.