Purpose Clauses (Kí/Láti) in Yoruba

Overview

Purpose clauses express the reason or goal behind an action -- "in order to" or "so that." At the B1 level, mastering purpose constructions with "kí" (so that) and "láti" (in order to) enables you to explain motivations, state goals, and connect actions to their intended outcomes. These constructions are essential for explaining why you do things.

"Láti" introduces an infinitive-like purpose: "Mo wá láti kọ́" (I came in order to learn). "Kí" introduces a purpose clause with its own subject: "Ó ṣiṣẹ́ kí ó lè jẹun" (He works so that he can eat). The choice between them depends on whether the purpose clause has the same subject as the main clause (láti) or a different subject or additional modal meaning (kí).

Purpose clauses frequently combine with modal verbs like "lè" (can/be able to) in the subordinate clause: "Ṣe dáadáa kí o lè borí" (Do well so that you may succeed). This combination of purpose + ability is very natural in Yoruba and occurs frequently in advice, exhortations, and practical reasoning.

How It Works

Construction	Meaning	Pattern
láti + verb	in order to	Mo wá láti kọ́. (I came to learn.)
kí + S + lè + V	so that...may	Ó ṣiṣẹ́ kí ó lè jẹun. (works so can eat)
kí + S + V	so that	Ṣe é kí ó dára. (Do it so it's good.)

Examples in Context

Yoruba	English	Note
Mo wá láti kọ́ èdè Yorùbá.	I came to learn Yoruba.	láti purpose
Ó ṣiṣẹ́ kí ó lè jẹun.	He works so he can eat.	kí + lè
A ṣe é láti ran wọ́n lọ́wọ́.	We did it to help them.	láti purpose
Ṣe dáadáa kí o lè borí.	Do well so you may succeed.	Advice with purpose
Mo kàwé láti mọ̀ dáadáa.	I study to know well.	Study purpose
Ó san owó kí wọ́n lè ṣe é.	He paid so they could do it.	Enabling purpose
Mo lọ sí ọjà láti ra oúnjẹ.	I went to market to buy food.	Shopping purpose
Gbàdúrà kí Ọlọ́run bá ọ lọ.	Pray so that God may help you.	Spiritual purpose

Common Mistakes

Confusing láti (purpose) with láti (from)

• Wrong: Interpreting "Mo wá láti kọ́" as "I came from learning."
• Right: "Mo wá láti kọ́" = I came in order to learn. (Purpose, not origin.)
• Why: Context distinguishes láti (purpose, "in order to") from láti (source, "from"). Before a verb, it is purpose.

Using láti When Subjects Differ

• Wrong: Mo ṣiṣẹ́ láti ó jẹun. (I work for-to he eat.)
• Right: Mo ṣiṣẹ́ kí ó lè jẹun. (I work so he can eat.)
• Why: When the purpose clause has a different subject, use kí (not láti), as kí can introduce a full clause with its own subject.

Omitting lè in kí Clauses

• Wrong: Ṣe é kí dára. (Do it so good.)
• Right: Ṣe é kí ó lè dára. (Do it so it can be good.)
• Why: Purpose clauses with kí often include the modal lè (can/may) to express the intended possibility.

Practice Tips

1. State the purpose of daily actions: "Mo lọ sí ibi iṣẹ́ láti ṣiṣẹ́" (I go to work to work), "Mo kàwé láti kọ́ èdè" (I study to learn a language).
2. Practice kí + lè combinations: "Mo ṣe é kí o lè mọ̀" (I did it so you would know), varying subjects and verbs.
3. Explain motivations: Practice giving reasons: "Kí ló dé tí o fi wá?" → "Mo wá láti kọ́ Yorùbá." (Why did you come? → I came to learn Yoruba.)

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Basic Serial Verb Constructions -- purpose often expressed through SVCs