| Lingala | English |
|---|---|
| nazali na | I have |
| ozali na | you have (singular) |
| azali na | he/she has |
In Lingala the idea of having something is constructed slightly different to English. Notice that we have the word
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na added to the three words we learned in part a. This small word in Lingala can have many meanings or uses. Notice what some of those are:
of
from
to
between
in
with
This means that we can use the word na in place of so many of the prepositions we use in English. However, the absolute meaning of na is with. Understanding that can help us to see some of the character of Lingala as we progress in learning the language.
So, in the three words we had at the start of this part, we really can translate the na as with, meaning that nazali na literally means I am with. So as an example if we were with a pen, then we would in effect have or possess the pen. So the word na implies ownership or control of something.
| Lingala | English |
|---|---|
| ezali na | it has |
| tozali na | we have |
| bozali na | you have (plural) |
| bazali na | they have (people) |
| ezali na | they have (objects) |
We complete the word list for to have, adding the inanimate it and the plural forms as well. Remember that we really can translate the na as with, so that tozali na literally means we are with.