Identification With ni

For role-first classification, put the category before ni and the person after it. For direct identification, an independent pronoun can come first. Ordering affects which identity is supplied; this is not an unrestricted subject–verb–object pattern.

Ni has no person, number or gender ending. Use independent pronouns before it in this nominal frame. Short subject pronouns belong naturally before jẹ́ instead.

• Olùkọ́ ni Bísí. — Bísí is a teacher.
• Bísí jẹ́ olùkọ́. — Bísí is a teacher. Contrast: the subject precedes jẹ́ and the category follows it.
• Èmi ni àbúrò Kẹ́mi. — I am Kẹ́mi's younger sibling.
• Àgbẹ̀ ni àwọn ọkùnrin yẹn. — Those men are farmers.

The final example shows that plural reference does not change ni. For selected identity denial, use kọ́ ni. Ordinary action negation with kò uses a different frame. Clause focus also uses ni, but a focused action clause requires its own following clause structure.