Basic Verbs

1. Go

   To go

   Usage

   Put a destination next to it and the meaning gets across (Go Lagos). go is both the verb "go" and the future marker

   Grammar Note

   go is a verb and, before another verb, the future marker (I go call you). It never inflects. Composed from dictionary-verified words and grammar; the exact sentence is not directly attested.

2. Come

   To come

   Usage

   For asking someone to come, or checking an arrival. come is a very common verb

   Grammar Note

   come keeps its English spelling and is used in verb chains (Come help me). It never inflects

3. Chop

   To eat

   Usage

   For inviting someone to eat or asking whether something is edible. chop is the Pidgin word for eat and also means spend money

   Grammar Note

   chop takes food as its object (chop rice) and is never used with a person as object. As a noun it also means food (chop is common in published news text)

4. Drink

   To drink

   Usage

   Also used to check whether water is safe to drink. drink is a very common verb

   Grammar Note

   drink never inflects; past is bin and completive is don before it (I don drink)

5. Buy

   To buy

   Usage

   States your intent to buy; point at the item as you say it. buy is a very common verb

   Grammar Note

   buy never inflects. "Buy it for me" is buy am for me, using for after the object

6. See

   To see

   Usage

   For asking to be shown something, and for sightseeing talk. see is a very common verb

   Grammar Note

   see never inflects. "Show me" is a separate verb; see covers both seeing and meeting

7. Wait

   To wait

   Usage

   For arranging to meet, or explaining you are queuing. wait is a very common verb

   Grammar Note

   wait never inflects; progressive puts dey before it (I dey wait)

8. I wan go.

   I want to go.

   Usage

   The pattern for telling a taxi or ticket clerk where you are going; add the place after it (I wan go airport). wan means 'want to'. Composed from dictionary-verified words and grammar; the exact sentence is not directly attested.

   Grammar Note

   wan is the short form of want and takes the next verb directly (no to). It never inflects. Composed from dictionary-verified words and grammar; the exact sentence is not directly attested.

9. I wan chop.

   I want to eat.

   Usage

   Add the name of a dish after it to order (I wan chop rice). Composed from dictionary-verified words and grammar; the exact sentence is not directly attested.

   Grammar Note

   chop is the verb "eat" and follows wan directly. Composed from dictionary-verified words and grammar; the exact sentence is not directly attested.

10. I want am.

    I want it.

    Usage

    Point while you say it and the order is complete; the item can come first (Rice, I want am). Composed from dictionary-verified words and grammar; the exact sentence is not directly attested.

    Grammar Note

    want takes a noun or pronoun object directly (before a verb, 'want to' is wan); am is the object pronoun "it". Composed from dictionary-verified words and grammar; the exact sentence is not directly attested.

11. I no need am.

    I don't need it.

    Usage

    To refuse a bag, an add-on or a persistent vendor. need is an ordinary verb meaning 'need'. Composed from dictionary-verified words and grammar; the exact sentence is not directly attested.

    Grammar Note

    Negation is no before the verb (never don't), with the object am after it. Composed from dictionary-verified words and grammar; the exact sentence is not directly attested.

12. I dey find am.

    I'm looking for it.

    Usage

    When hunting for a place or an item; show a map or photo. dey find is the progressive 'be looking for'

    Grammar Note

    dey + verb marks progressive or habitual (no -ing). The object am follows the verb. Composed from dictionary-verified words and grammar; the exact sentence is not directly attested.

13. I get am.

    I have it.

    Usage

    The answer when asked whether you have something. get means 'have' (I get)

    Grammar Note

    "Have" is get, not have; am is the object pronoun "it"

14. I no get am.

    I don't have it.

    Usage

    For saying you have no change or no document. I no get means 'I do not have'

    Grammar Note

    Negation is no before get; never don't have

15. I wan withdraw money.

    I want to withdraw money.

    Usage

    States your business at an ATM or bank counter. withdraw is an English-derived word. Composed from dictionary-verified words and grammar; the exact sentence is not directly attested.

    Grammar Note

    wan is followed directly by the verb; money takes no article or plural. Composed from dictionary-verified words and grammar; the exact sentence is not directly attested.

16. I wan make reservation.

    I want to make a reservation.

    Usage

    For securing a room, a table or a tour. Composed from dictionary-verified words and grammar; the exact sentence is not directly attested.

    Grammar Note

    Here make is the ordinary verb "make", not the subjunctive in Make we go. No article is used. Composed from dictionary-verified words and grammar; the exact sentence is not directly attested.

17. Abeg, help me wit am.

    Please help me with it.

    Usage

    For concrete help such as carrying a bag or filling in a form. Composed from dictionary-verified words and grammar; the exact sentence is not directly attested.

    Grammar Note

    The object of help is me, and the task is added with "with am". help never inflects. Composed from dictionary-verified words and grammar; the exact sentence is not directly attested.

18. Abeg, tell me.

    Please tell me.

    Usage

    Opens a request for information such as a route, a price or a time. tell me is a common request opener. Composed from dictionary-verified words and grammar; the exact sentence is not directly attested.

    Grammar Note

    tell never inflects; the content follows (Abeg, tell me wia e dey). Composed from dictionary-verified words and grammar; the exact sentence is not directly attested.

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