Lingala contains additional elements to verbs called extensions or infixes. These are used in a similar way to how we insert –ko– into the future tense verb. They help to create more complex ideas that extend the meaning of the verb root.

For that reason, extended verb roots are listed separately in the dictionary, partly because the extension can change the meaning of the root quite dramatically, and sometimes it does so in ways that are not easily understandable in English.

The following is a list of the different extensions that are used in Lingala, each with a link through to the separate article that explains and discusses their usage:

• • • Reflexive ( -mi- )
    • Passive ( -am- )
    • Reciprocal ( -an- )
    • Causative ( -is- )
    • Applicative ( -el- )
    • Reversive ( -ol- )

Not every verb uses each form of extension, and some are rarely used. There is also no best order to learn these, though the causative form is probably the easiest to learn and use.

The following is the order in which they are extended on a verb when combined together:

PREFIX + ko + mi + ROOT + ol + is + el + an + am + SUFFIX

It must be said here that there are no Lingala verbs that would use all these extensions at the same time. But the above guide helps us understand the order in which we should add extensions as we learned how to use them.

nazala

We have the prefix (na-), the –zal– root and then the suffix which is an ‘a’. This means our word structure is:

PREFIX + ROOT + a

This subjunctive form indicates that something is not certain. It may happen, or it it should happen. This is different to using the future tense to express that something will happen, where it is certain.

Notice some examples of how we use this form of verb in Lingala:

In most cases we can use the subjunctive to show whether something should or may happen, with context explaining it the meaning.

Note: This subjunctive tense can be confused with the distant past and plural imperative tense which both use a prefix, root and then ‘a’ to end the word. However, the other two tenses either use an accented/stressed prefix or suffix. The subjunctive doesn’t stress either end of the word. That can make it sound like the tones rises from the prefix into the root, then drops for the suffix.

Here is an example:

nazalá

We see that we have the normal prefix (na-) followed by the –zal– root, then the suffix with an accented ‘a’ (-á). This means I was (a long time ago).

So our structure for this tense is:

PREFIX + ROOT + á

Here are a few more examples we can use to show how it can be used:

The accent over the letter ‘a’ shows that we stress that letter, similar to the natural stress we have on the first syllable of the root of the verb. This sounds like we raise the tone from the prefix through the rest of the word. Be careful not to make it sound like a question.

Distant past is often used to show something that happened many years ago, or at the beginning of something. In general, it is normal practice to use simple past when referring to events that happened in the past within our life time.

There is also an easy confusion over the distant past with other tenses that use a similar spelling, such as plural imperatives and the subjunctive form. However, with the distant past, the final vowel (usually an ‘a’) is stressed, and show with an accent mark in traditional spelling, unlike the other two forms.

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:

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.

Notice how this is formed in Lingala. So now the verb –zal– is written as:

nazalaka

Breaking down the verb we notice first that we have the prefix na– meaning I, followed by the –zal– root and finally the suffix –aka. This gives the meaning of I always am.

Therefore, when looking at the structure of a future tense verb in Lingala we find:

PREFIX + ROOT + aka

This helps us with many expressions in Lingala where we would normally need additional adverbs in English, but in Lingala the idea is expressed completely within the verb:

Notice how when talking about speaking Lingala as a language (nalobaka Lingala), we use this –aka form of the word to show it is something we always do. In a similar way, we use this form for referring to where we live (afandaka na ndako kuna) to again show that it is ongoing, permanent and a habit.

Tip: Be careful when reading or listening to Lingala that you don’t confuse it with the similar sounding past tense (i.e. –aki).

Nazali kokende ndako ya nkoko
Tozali kokende ndako ya nkoko
Azali kokende ndako ya nkoko
Bazali kokende ndako ya nkoko
Ozali kokende ndako ya nkoko
Bozali kokende ndako ya nkoko
Ezali kokende ndako ya nkoko

Ozali kokende wapi?

When we look at Lingala from 50 years ago or more we see that whenever a word had an –ol– extension the meaning of the root was reversed. That still is true, however many times in Lingala we don’t use the unextended root and so to some extent the intent of the –ol– extension has been lost.

Notice some of the verbs we have that use the –ol– extension.

Knowing about this reversive extension is useful for the next section of our lesson.

The Changed Spelling of the Reversive –ol–

While the reversive –ol– extension is not an extension we need to understand extensively, we do need to know about the changes in spelling that occur because of this extension.

As mentioned in the section before we have four words we have learned previously that have the –ol– extension. Of these four words, –tambol– (meaning to walk) changes in an unusual way when we add the extension –is-, it becomes –tambwis-. In this change the meaning of the word is to cause to walk, or to direct. We notice that we lose the –ol– and it becomes –w-. This is done to many words that contain the –ol– extension and another extension is added to it.

Watch out for these changes as we continue with the lessons.

Notice some ways we can use this extension:

Many verbs can use this applicative extension, and some words in Lingala, like –batel– do not have a form without the applicative extension.

The verb –salel– is derived from –sal– and is used very often in Lingala as it carries the idea of serving someone, as well as working for somebody, or doing something for someone, or doing something to someone.

At times the –el– extension is used to reinforce or emphasize what the verb is doing. For example:

azali kotalela buku

Where –tal– normally means to look, here the –talel– means to look at, or even to examine. This is more than simply looking, but looking to understand. Here the –el– extension helps apply the action to the book.

Look at another use:

Ida ayokelaki mwasi esengo

Here we are saying not that Ida heard or listened to the woman, but with esengo being added at the end (or other similar words) we are showing that Ida felt (another of the meanings of –yok-) towards the woman joy. She could have felt anger or sadness in the same way.

So here the Lingala structure is that first the subject (Ida) takes the action (feel) to the object (woman) and then we describe what that action was. This is common in Lingala and fits with the practice of placing descriptive words after the noun or verb.

In a similar way we could say:

Luis asalelaki bango mabe

Here we mean that Luis did to them bad. We can do this in many other ways using the applicative extension.