Related to the present tense form is that of the recent past. In Lingala, the tense can look similar to the present tense (nazali) of some verbs, whereas in English it looks similar to the simple past (I was).
So we write this form using this structure:
PREFIX + ROOT + i
All verbs can be expressed in this way in Lingala, but it is especially important for regular verbs (that is, verbs that don’t express the state of something). So, for example, we can say:
nasali mosala na ngai
We have the root –sal– to show we are doing or working and then the word for job or work (mosala). This gives the meaning I did my job, indicating that the work is recently completed, but is not happening now. We could also translate it as I just did my job.
Notice the following examples:
| Lingala | English (meaning) | English (literal) |
|---|---|---|
| basololi na ngai | they just discussed with me | they discussed with me |
| Ana amoni ye | Anna just saw him | Anna saw him |
| biso topesi yango | we just gave this | we we gave it |
| okende kuna | you just went there | you went there |
With verbs that express the state of something, they can be read both as present, or recent past, depending on the context.
Tip: When translating past events from English into Lingala, try to have clearly in mind if you need this recent past form, or if the action is further back and would be best said using the (simple) past (-aki) form.