Reduplication With mọ́
Repeated Across Time or Groups
oṣù + mọ́ + oṣù → oṣùmóṣù, “for months.”
How It Works
Oṣùmóṣù repeats material from oṣù, “month,” with the citation linker mọ́. Its attested surface spelling has plain o in mó; both ṣù syllables keep their low tones. The displayed derivation identifies components, while the joined output is the word used in the examples.
The source gloss means “for months” or “months long.” In clauses about working, staying somewhere, or reading, the word describes extended duration. It does not itself say “every month”: a repeated monthly schedule and an activity lasting months express different temporal relations.
Learn this duration word as its own established family rather than generating unrestricted forms for every noun. Adjacent repeated words in the reference use other linkers and meanings, so their existence does not license exchanging linkers. Separate mọ́ in a negative clause, meaning “any longer,” is another construction and cannot supply a derivation for this word.
Examples (3)
- Mo ṣiṣẹ́ oṣùmóṣù.
I worked for months.
The duration word does not specify monthly recurrence.
- Àwọn ọmọ dúró ní Èkó oṣùmóṣù.
The children stayed in Lagos for months.
The word describes the extended stay.
- Títí ka ìwé oṣùmóṣù.
Títí read for months.
The word gives the duration of reading without specifying a monthly schedule.
Related Patterns
- Each and Repeated Groups
Compares duration with other meanings of repeated material.
Level 3 - máaHabitual or Continuing Actions
Contrasts habitual recurrence with extended duration.
Level 2 - Negative + mọ́No Longer or No More
Identifies a separate function of mọ́.
Level 2 - Reduplication With kíAny Member of a Set
Provides another independently attested linker construction.
Level 4
Practice Reduplication With mọ́ in Bubblegum
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