Zarma Verb "ba" — to want / to love

to want / to love

Type

Modal / Stative verb

Patterns

6 tense/aspect forms

Completive (Past)

The unmarked (bare) verb form expresses completed actions — the default past tense.

Completive (past)

Structure: Subject + ba

Ay ba.

I wanted / I loved.

Incompletive (Habitual)

The marker "ga" before the verb expresses habitual or general present actions.

Habitual marker: ga

Structure: Subject + ga + ba

Ay ga ba.

I want / I love.

Progressive (Ongoing)

The marker "go ga" expresses actions currently in progress.

Progressive marker: go ga

Structure: Subject + go ga + ba

Ay go ga ba.

I am wanting.

Future

The marker "ma" before the verb expresses future actions or intentions.

Future marker: ma

Structure: Subject + ma + ba

Ay ma ba.

I will want.

Negative (Habitual)

The marker "si" negates habitual or present actions.

Negative habitual marker: si

Structure: Subject + si + ba

Ay si ba.

I don't want.

Negative (Past)

The marker "mana" negates completed past actions.

Negative past marker: mana

Structure: Subject + mana + ba

Ay mana ba.

I didn't want.

Example Sentences

Ay ga ba hari.

I want water.

Ni si ba a?

Don't you want it?

I ga ba hala.

They want fish.