má
Telling Someone Not to
Use má + verb phrase, or ẹ má + verb phrase.
How It Works
Put má before the action verb to give a negative instruction. In a simple singular command, the listener is understood. For several listeners or one person addressed respectfully, put ẹ before má. Objects and destinations follow the verb in their usual positions. Neither the marker nor the verb takes an agreement ending.
Compare Mu omi yìí. ‘Drink this water’ with Má mu omi yìí. ‘Do not drink this water.’ In a past-event context, Adé kò mu omi yìí. reports that Adé did not drink it. Preserve the single vowel in má: máa has affirmative habitual, prospective and continuing uses. Respectful ẹ identifies the addressee; it does not itself mean ‘please.’ The affirmative progressive use of má described for Ẹ̀gbá belongs to a different variety.
Examples (3)
- Má mu omi yìí.
Do not drink this water.
Má precedes the verb and its object.
- Ẹ má ṣí àpò náà.
Do not open the bag.
Ẹ addresses several people or one person respectfully.
- Má gbé àga yẹn wá.
Do not bring that chair.
The prohibition covers the linked carrying-and-coming action.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Put má before an action to say ‘do not.’
Related Patterns
- Instruction With ẹGiving a Respectful Instruction
Explains the addressee marker before má.
Level 1 - má / máa ContrastProhibition and Habit
Distinguishes prohibition from affirmative máa constructions.
Level 3 - kò / kìí / má ContrastThree Kinds of Negation
Compares ordinary denial, habitual denial and prohibition.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice má in Bubblegum
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