Zarma Verb "ŋaa" — to eat

ŋaa

to eat

Type

Action verb

Patterns

6 tense/aspect forms

Completive (Past)

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

Completive (past)

Structure: Subject + ŋaa

Ay ŋaa.

I ate.

Incompletive (Habitual)

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

Habitual marker: ga

Structure: Subject + ga + ŋaa

Ay ga ŋaa.

I eat (regularly).

Progressive (Ongoing)

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

Progressive marker: go ga

Structure: Subject + go ga + ŋaa

Ay go ga ŋaa.

I am eating.

Future

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

Future marker: ma

Structure: Subject + ma + ŋaa

Ay ma ŋaa.

I will eat.

Negative (Habitual)

The marker "si" negates habitual or present actions.

Negative habitual marker: si

Structure: Subject + si + ŋaa

Ay si ŋaa.

I don't eat.

Negative (Past)

The marker "mana" negates completed past actions.

Negative past marker: mana

Structure: Subject + mana + ŋaa

Ay mana ŋaa.

I didn't eat.

Imperative (Commands)

Singular uses the bare verb. Plural adds wa before the verb.

Form	Zarma
Singular (you)	Ŋaa!
Plural (you all)	Wa ŋaa!

Example Sentences

Ni ŋaa?

Did you eat?

Iri ga ŋaa hawi.

We eat rice.

Wa kaa iri ma ŋaa!

Come, let's eat!