kìí

Saying Something Does Not Usually Happen

Level 2

Subject + kìí + action describes what does not normally happen.

How It Works

Put kìí after the subject and before the action verb. Joined kìí and spaced kì í are both attested written forms preserving the low–high tone sequence. The marker takes no agreement endings. First-person singular negative clauses can use N kìí; a short third-person singular ó is absent before the negative.

Compare Adé kò jó lánàá. ‘Adé did not dance yesterday’ with Adé kìí jó. ‘Adé does not dance.’ One denies a particular occasion; the other describes a general practice. A recurring time phrase can narrow that practice.

‘Never’ fits some strong generalizations, but is not a compulsory translation. Habitual denial also occurs with kò ń for habitual denial, so that sequence must not be rejected categorically. Learn kì í ṣe separately: its identity-denial use does not require habitual meaning.

Examples (3)

  1. Adé kìí jó.

    Adé does not dance.

    This describes a general practice.

  2. N kìí jẹ ẹran lálẹ́.

    I do not usually eat meat at night.

    The time phrase limits the negative routine.

  3. Wọ́n kìí ra ìwé ní ọjọ́ Àìkú.

    They do not usually buy books on Sundays.

    The day is interpreted as recurring in this habitual statement.

How It Connects

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

kìíLevel 2Saying Something Does Not Usually Happen