Twi

Contributed by Kwadwo Brobbey Nti.

K.N.'s photo

The data were gathered in 2024 by Kwadwo Brobbey Nti in his capacity of a native speaker of Twi. In the process of preparing the dataset, we benefited from feedback from Natalia Bogomolova and then Andrey Shluinsky. The English version of the questionnaire was used for elicitation.

How to cite

Nti, Kwadwo Brobbey. 2024. Bivalent patterns in Twi. In: Say, Sergey (ed.). BivalTyp: Typological database of bivalent verbs and their encoding frames. (Data first published on June 21, 2024; last revised on October 5, 2024.) (Available online at https://www.bivaltyp.info, Accessed on )

Basic info

Coordinates: 6.35, -1.33.
Genealogy (as given in WALS). Family: Niger-Congo, genus: Tano.
Macro-area: Sub-Saharan Africa.

Data

Subset examples by valency pattern

Subset examples by locus

1. feel pain wᴐ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kofi	wᴐ	tiyadeε	bi
pn	have(3 sg . prs )	headache	indef
‘Kofi has a headache.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as part of a nominal compound.

2. have (illness) wᴐ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	wᴐ	papu	no
pn	have(3 sg . prs )	flu	def
‘Kofi has the flu.’

3. be afraid suro

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	suro	ᴐkraman	no
pn	fear(3 sg . prs )	dog	def
‘Kofi is afraid of the dog.’

4. throw to

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	to-o	εboᴐ	bi
pn	throw- pst	stone	indef
‘Kofi threw a stone.’

5. have enough wᴐ dodoᴐ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

seesei	Kofi	wᴐ	sika	dodoᴐ
now	pn	have(3 sg . prs )	money	enough
‘Kofi now has enough money.’
Note: Not included in the database because the intended meaning is expressed by a structurally discontinuous combination (predicate + adnominal modifier).

6. resemble sε

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	sε	nanabarima
pn	resemble(3 sg . prs )	grandfather
‘Kofi resembles grandfather.’

7. believe gye di

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	gye	nanabarima	di
pn	take(3 sg . prs )	grandfather	handle
‘Kofi believes grandfather.’
Note: CV. The glosses are partially based on the dictionary information.

8. take fa

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	fa-a	nwoma	bi
pn	take- pst	book	indef
‘Kofi took a book.’

9. see hunu

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	hunu	efie	bi
pn	see(3 sg . prs )	house	indef
‘Kofi sees a house.’

10. influence kentene

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

mfeε	kentene	nkaeε
age	influence(3 sg . prs )	memory
‘Age influences memory.’

11. encounter hyia

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	hyia-a	nanabarima
pn	encounter- pst	grandfather
‘Kofi encountered grandfather.’

12. enter wura

Valency pattern: SBJ_mu

X: SBJ

Y: mu

Locus: Y

Kofi	wura-a	efie	no	mu
pn	enter- pst	house	def	in
‘Kofi entered the house.’

13. win di nkunim

Valency pattern: SBJ_so

X: SBJ

Y: so

Locus: Y

Kofi	di-i	nanabarima	so	nkunim
pn	handle- pst	grandfather	on	victory
‘Kofi beat grandfather.’
Note: CV

14. go out pue firi

Valency pattern: SBJ_mu

X: SBJ

Y: mu

Locus: Y

Kofi	pue-e	firi	fie	no	mu
pn	go- pst	come.out	house	def	in
‘Kofi went out of the house.’
Note: CV

15. drive ka

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	re-ka	nantwie	no
pn	prog -touch	cow	def
‘Kofi is driving the cow.’
Note: In the dictionary, the verb means 'to touch'.

16. bend koa

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	koa-a	nkorabata	no
pn	bend- pst	branch	def
‘Kofi bent the branch.’

17. tell kakyerε

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	kakyerε-ε	nanabarima
pn	tell- pst	grandfather
‘Kofi told grandfather.’

18. hold kita

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	re-kita	nwoma	bi
pn	prog -hold	book	indef
‘Kofi is holding a book.’

19. catch up kᴐto

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	kᴐto-o	ne	nanabarima
pn	catch(up)- pst	3 sg ( poss )	grandfather
‘Kofi caught up with grandfather.’

20. milk kyim nufusuo

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kofi	kyim-m	nantwie	nufusuo	no
pn	extract- pst	cow	breast.milk	def
‘Kofi milked the cow.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

21. reach duru

Valency pattern: SBJ_so

X: SBJ

Y: so

Locus: Y

Kofi	duru-u	kokoᴐ	no	so
pn	reach- pst	bank	def	on
‘Kofi reached the bank.’

22. touch sᴐ

Valency pattern: SBJ_mu

X: SBJ

Y: mu

Locus: Y

Kofi	sᴐ-ᴐ	fasuo	no	mu
pn	touch- pst	wall	def	in
‘Kofi touched the wall.’

23. fight ko

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kofi	ne	nanabarima	re-ko
pn	conj	grandfather	prog -fight
‘Kofi and his grandfather are fighting.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a coordinate NP.

24. be friends yε amfoᴐ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kofi	ne	nanabarima	yε	nn-amfoᴐ
pn	conj	grandfather	be/do	pl -friend
‘Kofi and grandfather are friends.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a coordinate NP.

25. think dwene

Valency pattern: SBJ_ho

X: SBJ

Y: ho

Locus: Y

Kofi	re-dwene	nanabarima	ho
pn	prog -think	grandfather	about
‘Kofi is thinking about grandfather.’

26. eat di

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	di-i	aprε	bi
pn	handle- pst	apple	indef
‘Kofi ate an apple.’

27. fry kye

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	kye-e	nsuomnam	no
pn	fry- pst	fish	def
‘Kofi fried the fish.’

28. wait twεn

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	re-twεn	nanabarima
pn	prog -wait	grandfather
‘Kofi is waiting for grandfather.’

29. forget werεfiri

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	werε-firi-i	kwan	foforᴐ	no
pn	mind-remove- pst	road	other	def
‘Kofi forgot the other road.’

30. depend gyina

Valency pattern: SBJ_so

X: SBJ

Y: so

Locus: Y

nkaeε	gyina	mfeε	so
memory	stand(3 sg . prs )	age	on
‘Memory depends on age.’

31. call frε

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	frε-ε	nanabarima
pn	call- pst	grandfather
‘Kofi called grandfather.’
Note: In the dictionary, this verb means 'to like, want, need'.

32. get to know hunu

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	hunu-u	nanabarima	bεyε	afe
pn	see- pst	grandfather	ago	year
‘Kofi got to know grandfather a year ago.’

33. know nim

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	nim	nanabarima
pn	know(3 sg . prs )	grandfather
‘Kofi knows grandfather.’

34. play (instrument) bᴐ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	re-bᴐ	sanku	no
pn	prog -hit	guitar	def
‘Kofi is playing the guitar.’

35. avoid tetε

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	tetε	nanabarima
pn	avoid(3 sg . prs )	grandfather
‘Kofi avoids grandfather.’
Note: In the dictionary, this verb means 'to arrive'.

36. make yε

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	yε-ε	nkurafidie	bi
pn	be/do- pst	mousetrap	indef
‘Kofi made a mousetrap.’

37. make fun di fεw

Valency pattern: SBJ_ho

X: SBJ

Y: ho

Locus: Y

Kofi	re-di	nanabarima	ho	fεw
pn	prog -handle	grandfather	about	mockery
‘Kofi is making fun of grangfather.’
Note: CV

38. have wᴐ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	wᴐ	lᴐᴐle	bi
pn	have(3 sg . prs )	car	indef
‘Kofi has a car.’

39. look for hwehwε

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	re-hwehwε	ne	safoa
pn	prog -look	3 sg ( poss )	key
‘Kofi is looking for his key.’

40. paint ka

Valency pattern: SBJ_ho

X: SBJ

Y: ho

Locus: Y

Kofi	ka-a	ban	no	ho
pn	touch- pst	fence	def	about
‘Kofi painted the fence.’
Note: In the dictionary, the verb means 'to touch'.

41. bite ka

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

ᴐkraman	bi	ka-a	nanabarima
dog	indef	touch- pst	grandfather
‘A dog bit grandfather.’
Note: In the dictionary, the verb means 'to touch'.

42. forfeit hwere

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	hwere-e	ne	fie
pn	lose- pst	3 sg ( poss )	house
‘Kofi lost his house.’

43. try to catch kyere

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	re-kyere	ᴐkra	no
pn	prog -catch	cat	def
‘Kofi is trying to catch the cat.’

44. break bu

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	bu-u	abaa	bi
pn	break- pst	stick	indef
‘Kofi broke a stick.’

45. flatter dεfεdεfε

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	re-dεfεdεfε	nanabarima
pn	prog -flatter	grandfather
‘Kofi is flattering grandfather.’

46. love (person) dᴐ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	dᴐ	nanabarima
pn	love(3 sg . prs )	grandfather
‘Kofi loves grandfather.’

47. wave woso

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	re-woso	duku	bi
pn	prog -wave	handkerchief	indef
‘Kofi is waving a handkerchief.’

48. dream so daeε

Valency pattern: SBJ_ho

X: SBJ

Y: ho

Locus: Y

Kofi	re-so	lᴐᴐle	mono	bi	ho	daeε
pn	prog -reach	car	new	indef	about	dream
‘Kofi is dreaming of a new car.’
Note: CV

49. wash hohoro

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	hohoro-o	kuruwa	no
pn	wash- pst	cup	def
‘Kofi washed the cup.’

50. put on hyε

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	hyε-ε	ne	trokoso
pn	put(on)- pst	3 sg ( poss )	trousers
‘Kofi put on his trousers.’

51. be called frε

Valency pattern: DO_PSEUDOOBJ

X: DO

Y: PSEUDOOBJ

Locus: XY

saa	akadeε	yi	yε-frε-ε	no	kᴐmpase
this	tool	def	1 pl -call- pst	def	compass
‘This tool is called a compass.’
Note: Probably, “no” should be interpreted as a 3SG.O marker. At any event, this structure involves topicalization (cf. ‘This thing, we call it compass’) and the verb as such is transitive, with the thing given the name being the direct object.

52. punish twe aso

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	twe-e	ne	babarima	aso
pn	pull- pst	3 sg ( poss )	son	ear
‘Kofi punished his son.’
Note: CV

53. attack tohyε

Valency pattern: SBJ_so

X: SBJ

Y: so

Locus: Y

pataku	bi	tohyε-ε	ᴐpofoni	bi	so
bear	indef	attack- pst	fisherman	indef	on
‘A bear attacked a fisherman.’

54. fill (intr) hyε ma

Valency pattern: mu_SBJ

X: mu

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

nsuo	hyε-ε	bokiti	no	mu	ma
water	stick- pst	bucket	def	in	full
‘The bucket filled with water.’
Note: CV. In the dictionary (p. 205) the meaning of "hyε ma" is described as "to make full".

55. find hunu

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	hunu-u	ne	n-safoa
pn	find- pst	3 sg ( poss )	pl -key
‘Kofi found his keys.’

56. be short nni

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	nni	euro	baako
pn	lack(3 sg )	euro	one
‘Kofi lacks one euro.’

57. hate tan

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	tan	nanabarima
pn	hate(3 sg . prs )	grandfather
‘Kofi hates grandfather.’
Note: In the dictionary, the verb is spelled "taŋ".

58. like pε

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	pε	saa	atadeε	yi
pn	like(3 sg . prs )	this	shirt	def
‘Kofi likes this shirt.’

59. need hia

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	hia	sika
pn	need(3 sg . prs )	money
‘Kofi needs money.’

60. surround twa

Valency pattern: SBJ_hyia

X: SBJ

Y: hyia

Locus: Y

a-fasuo	twa	kuropᴐn	no	hyia
pl -wall	cut	city	det	around
‘Walls surround the city.’
Note: CV. See the 11th meaning of "hyia" in the dictionary (p. 212).

61. remain ka

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

a-ka	Kofi	10	euros
perf -leave	pn	10	euros
‘Kofi has 10 euros left.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

62. answer bua

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	bua-a	ᴐkyerεkyerεni	no
pn	answer- pst	teacher	def
‘Kofi answered the teacher.’

63. open bue

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	bue-e	toa	no
pn	open- pst	can	def
‘Kofi opened the can.’

64. be different danso firi

Valency pattern: SBJ_ho

X: SBJ

Y: ho

Locus: Y

daabi,	m’=atadeε	no	danso	firi	wo	deε	ho
no( neg )	1 sg ( poss )=shirt	def	to_be_distinguished	come.out	2 sg	poss	about
‘No, my shirt is different from yours.’
Note: CV

65. fall behind ka

Valency pattern: SBJ_akyi

X: SBJ

Y: akyi

Locus: Y

Kofi	ka-a	nanabarima	akyi
pn	touch- pst	grandfather	behind
‘Kofi fell behind grandfather.’
Note: In the dictionary, the verb means 'to touch'.

66. plough funtum

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	re-funtum	asaase	no
pn	prog -plough	field	def
‘Kofi is ploughing the field.’

67. smell hwa

Valency pattern: SBJ_tese

X: SBJ

Y: tese

Locus: Y

me	nsa	hwa	tesε	fagoo
1 sg ( poss )	hands	smell	like	gasoline
‘My hands smell like gasoline.’

68. cross twa

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	twa-a	kwan	no
pn	cut- pst	road	def
‘Kofi crossed the road.’

69. sing to

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	to-o	dwom	dεεdε	bi
pn	throw- pst	song	beautiful	indef
‘Kofi sang a beautiful song.’

70. write twerε

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	twerε-ε	krataa	bi
pn	write- pst	letter	indef
‘Kofi wrote a letter.’

71. drink nom

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	nom-m	meekye	no
pn	drink- pst	milk	def
‘Kofi drank the milk.’

72. melt naane

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	naane-e	kᴐbere	sini	bi
pn	melt- pst	lead	piece	indef
‘Kofi melted a piece of lead.’

73. match kᴐ yie

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

saa	abᴐso	yi	ne	m’=atadeε	kᴐ	yie
this	belt	def	conj	1 sg . poss =dress	go( prs )	well
‘This belt goes well with my dress.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a coordinate NP.

74. leave firi

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	firi-i	ne	a	kuropᴐn	ofirim
pn	leave- pst	3 sg . poss	indef	city	native
‘Kofi left his native city.’

75. cover kata

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

ntiasoᴐ	no	kata	fam	no	nyinaa
carpet	def	cover(3 sg . prs )	floor	def	whole
‘The carpet covers the whole floor.’

76. remember kae

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	kae	fie	no	yie
pn	remember(3 sg . prs )	house	def	well
‘Kofi remembers the house well.’

77. help boa

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	boa-a	nanabarima
pn	help- pst	grandfather
‘Kofi helped grandfather.’

78. understand (language) te ase

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	te	Franse	kasa	ase
pn	perceive(3 sg . prs )	f rench	language	sense
‘Kofi understands French.’
Note: CV

79. hit (target) bᴐ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

ayiremo	bᴐ-ᴐ	fie	no
lightning	hit- pst	house	def
‘Lightning hit the house.’

80. cut oneself twa ne ho

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kofi	de	bleedi	bi	twa-a	ne	ho
pn	hold	blade	indef	cut- pst	3 sg . poss	about
‘Kofi cut himself with a blade.’
Note: Not included in the database because the intended meaning is expressed by a combination of two clauses.

81. get stuck ka

Valency pattern: SBJ_so

X: SBJ

Y: so

Locus: Y

abobᴐdeε	no	ka-a	pono	no	so
glass	def	touch- pst	table	def	on
‘The glass got stuck to the table.’
Note: In the dictionary, the verb means 'to touch'.

82. lose (game) di nkoguo

Valency pattern: SBJ_wo

X: SBJ

Y: wo

Locus: Y

Kofi	di-i	nkoguo	wᴐ	nanabarima
pn	handle- pst	failure	at<have(3 sg . prs )	grandfather
‘Kofi lost to grandfather.’
Note: CV

83. be glad ani gye

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kofi	ani	gye-e	krataa	no	ho
pn	eye	take- pst	letter	def	about
‘Kofi was rejoiced about the letter.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

84. speak kasa

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kofi	ne	nanabarima	re-kasa
pn	conj	grandfather	prog -speak
‘Kofi is speaking with grandfather.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a coordinate NP.

85. give birth wo

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

maame	no	wo-o	babarima	bi
woman	def	give_birth- pst	son	indef
‘The woman gave birth to a son.’

86. drop gya

Valency pattern: SBJ_mu

X: SBJ

Y: mu

Locus: Y

Kofi	gya-a	abobᴐdeε	no	mu
pn	leave- pst	glass	def	in
‘Kofi dropped the glass.’

87. govern di

Valency pattern: SBJ_so

X: SBJ

Y: so

Locus: Y

Kofi	di	yεn	kuro	so
pn	handle(3 sg . prs )	1 p . pl ( poss )	town	on
‘Kofi governs our town.’

88. miss afe

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	afe	nanabarima
pn	miss(3 sg . prs )	grandfather
‘Kofi misses grandfather.’

89. follow di

Valency pattern: SBJ_akyi

X: SBJ

Y: akyi

Locus: Y

Kofi	di	nanabarima	akyi
pn	handle(3 sg . prs )	grandfather	behind
‘Kofi follows grandfather

90. dismount sifiri

Valency pattern: SBJ_so

X: SBJ

Y: so

Locus: Y

Kofi	sifiri-i	pᴐnkᴐ	no	so
pn	get_down- pst	horse	def	on
‘Kofi got down from the horse.’

91. listen tie

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	re-tie	kasanoma
pn	prog -listen	radio
‘Kofi is listening to radio.’

92. obey tie

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	tie	ne	maame	aberebiara
pn	listen( prs )	3 sg . poss	mother	always
‘Kofi always listens to his mother.’

93. hear te

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	te	nwom	no
pn	perceive(3 sg . prs )	music	def
‘Kofi hears the music.’

94. mix fra

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

εwoᴐ	no	fra-a	meekye	no
honey	def	mix- pst	milk	def
‘The honey got mixed with the milk.’

95. look hwε

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	re-hwε	m-mununkum	no
pn	prog -look	pl -cloud	def
‘Kofi is looking at the clouds.’

96. take off woro

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	woro-o	n’=atadeε
pn	take_off- pst	3 sg . poss =shirt
‘Kofi took off his shirt.’

97. dream (sleeping) so daeε

Valency pattern: SBJ_ho

X: SBJ

Y: ho

Locus: Y

Kofi	so	nanabarima	ho	daeε
pn	reach	grandfather	about	dream
‘Kofi dreams about grandfather.’
Note: CV

98. agree yε adwene

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kofi	ne	nanabarima	yε-ε	adwene
pn	with	grandfather	be/do- pst	mind
‘Kofi agreed with grandfather.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a coordinate NP.

99. have a quarrel wᴐ akasakasa

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kofi	ne	nanabarima	wᴐ	akasakasa	bi
pn	with	grandfather	have(3 sg . prs )	quarrel	indef
‘Kofi has a quarrel with grandfather.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a coordinate NP.

100. cost yε

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

saa	kuruwa	yi	yε	baako	euro
this	cup	def	be/do	one	euro
‘This cup costs one euro.’

101. shoot at to tuo

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	to-o	anomaa	no	tuo
pn	throw- pst	bird	def	gun
‘Kofi shot at the bird.’
Note: CV

102. pour hwie

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	hwie-e	asikyire	no
pn	pour- pst	sugar	def
‘Kofi poured the sugar.’

103. lose yera

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	yera-a	ne	n-safoa
pn	lose- pst	3 sg ( poss )	pl -key
‘Kofi lost his keys.’

104. sink mem

Valency pattern: SBJ_mu

X: SBJ

Y: mu

Locus: Y

dua	no	mem-m	nsuo	no	mu
tree	def	sink- pst	river	def	in
‘The log sank in the river.’

105. kill kum

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	kum-m	nanabarima
pn	kill- pst	grandfather
‘Kofi killed grandfather.’

106. hit bᴐ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	bᴐ-ᴐ	nanabarima
pn	hit- pst	grandfather
‘Kofi hit grandfather.’

107. kiss fe ano

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	fe-e	nanabarima	ano
pn	like- pst	grandfather	lip
‘Kofi kissed grandfather.’
Note: CV

108. read kan

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	kan-n	nwoma	anikanika	bi
pn	read- pst	book	interesting	indef
‘Kofi read an interesting book.’

109. move (bodypart) keka

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	keka-a	ne	nsatea
pn	move- pst	3 sg ( poss )	finger
‘Kofi moved his finger.’

110. respect bu

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	bu	nanabarima
pn	respect(3 sg . prs )	grandfather
‘Kofi respects grandfather.’

111. be squeamish akyiwadeɛ yɛ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kofi	akyiwadeɛ	yɛ	n-kukuo	fi
pn	taboo	is	pl -dish	dirty
‘Kofi is squeamish about dirty dishes,’ lit. ‘Kofi’s taboo is dirty dishes..’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

112. be content bodwo

Valency pattern: SBJ_ho

X: SBJ

Y: ho

Locus: Y

Kofi	bodwo-o	ne	ba	no	ho
pn	be_satisfied- pst	3 sg ( poss )	son	def	about
‘Kofi is satisfied with his son.’

113. fall in love tᴐ dᴐ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kofi	tᴐ-ᴐ	Mary	dᴐ	mu
pn	fall- pst	pn	love	in
‘Kofi fell in love with Mary.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

114. trust wᴐ awerɛhyɛm

Valency pattern: SBJ_mu

X: SBJ

Y: mu

Locus: Y

Kofi	wᴐ	nanabarima	mu	awerɛhyɛm
pn	have(3 sg . prs )	grandfather	in	trust
Kofi has trust in grandfather.’
Note: CV

115. sympathise wᴐ tema

Valency pattern: SBJ_ma

X: SBJ

Y: ma

Locus: Y

Kofi	wᴐ	tema	ma	ne	maame
pn	have(3 sg . prs )	sympathy	for	3 sg ( poss )	mother
‘Kofi sympathises with his mother.’.
Note: CV. Although most adpositions are used as postpositions, here, “ma” is used a preposition.

116. envy anibere

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	anibere	nanabarima
pn	envy(3 sg . prs )	grandfather
‘Kofi envies grandfather.’

117. be angry bo fu

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kofi	bo	a-fu	nanabarima
pn	breast	perf -swell	grandfather
‘Kofi is angry with his grandfather.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier. Arguably, this sentence literally means ‘Kofi’s breast got swollen at his grandfather’. See (Christaller 1933: 29, 142)

118. be surprised dwiri

Valency pattern: ho_wo

X: ho

Y: wo

Locus: XY

Kofi	ho	dwiri-i	no	wᴐ	saa	akyεdeε	yi
pn	about	disperse- pst	def	at<have(3 sg . prs )	this	gift	def
‘Kofi was surprised at this gift.’
Note: The identification of the valency pattern is tentative. The postposition “ho” is the grammaticalized use of the original noun ‘exterior’.

119. love (tea) dᴐ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	dᴐ	tee
pn	love(3 sg . prs )	tea
‘Kofi loves tea.’

120. enjoy ani gye

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kofi	ani	gye	tee	hyeehye	ho
pn	eye	take(3 sg . prs )	tea	hot	about
‘Kofi enjoys hot tea.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

121. want hia

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	hia	fon	foforᴐ
pn	want(3 sg . prs )	phone	new
‘Kofi wants a new mobile phone.’

122. have a grudge wᴐ trimpᴐ

Valency pattern: SBJ_ho

X: SBJ

Y: ho

Locus: Y

Kofi	wᴐ	nanabarima	ho	trimpᴐ
pn	have(3 sg . prs )	grandfather	about	grudge
‘Kofi has a grudge against grandfather.’
Note: CV

123. take offence bo fu

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kofi	bo	fu-u	nanabarima
pn	breast	swell- pst	grandfather
‘Kofi got cross with grandfather.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier. Arguably, this sentence literally means ‘Kofi’s breast got swollen at his grandfather’. See (Christaller 1933: 29, 142)

124. upset bu fu

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kofi	bu	fu-u	nanabarima	paa
pn	break	swell- pst	grandfather	greatly
‘Kofi greatly upset grandfather.’
Note: This structure is not clear. Probably, this is a transitive complex verb. Cf. 123. Kwadwo’s comment: "Unhappy/upset/angry are translated as ‘abufuo’ that is noun/ ‘bu fuu’ that is verb(PST)."

125. marvel ani gye

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kofi	ani	gye-e	kuro	yi	ho
pn	eye	take- pst	town	this	about
‘Kofi was impressed by this town.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

126. despise tan

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Kofi	tan	nanabarima
pn	despise(3 sg . prs )	grandfather
‘Kofi despises grandfather.’
Note: In the dictionary, the verb is spelled "taŋ".

127. get upset bo fu

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kofi	bo	fu-u	ne	babarima
pn	breast	swell- pst	3 sg ( poss )	son
‘Kofi got upset with his son.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier. Arguably, this sentence literally means ‘Kofi’s breast got swollen at his son’. See (Christaller 1933: 29, 142)

128. get irritated nya abufuo

Valency pattern: SBJ_ho

X: SBJ

Y: ho

Locus: Y

Kofi	re-nya	ne	babaa	ho	abufuo
pn	prog -get	3 sg ( poss )	daughter	about	irritated
‘Kofi is getting arritated by his daughter.’
Note: CV

129. be fond ani gye

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kofi	ani	gye	nanabarima	ho
pn	eye	take	grandfather	about
‘Kofi is fond of grandfather.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

130. be shy fɛre

Valency pattern: SBJ_ho

X: SBJ

Y: ho

Locus: Y

Kofi	fɛre	ne	tenten	ho
pn	be_shy	3 sg ( poss )	height	about
‘Kofi is shy about his height.’