Questions & Answers about Sherehe ni nzuri sokoni.
Why is nzuri used here instead of mzuri?
In Swahili, the choice between nzuri, mzuri, or other forms of -zuri depends on the noun class of the word being described. Sherehe (celebration/party) generally falls under a class that pairs with nzuri rather than mzuri. This reflects an agreement between the noun and the adjective.
What does sokoni mean in this context, and why is it used in locative form?
Sokoni comes from soko (market) plus -ni, a locative suffix that often translates as "at the" or "in the." So sokoni literally means "at the market" or "in the market." This indicates where the event (the celebration) is taking place.
Why does the sentence say ni instead of any other verb?
Ni is the simple form of "to be" in Swahili. It links Sherehe (the subject) with nzuri (the descriptive adjective). Some Swahili sentences omit ni in everyday speech, but using ni here is grammatically correct and clear.
Could the sentence be rearranged as Sokoni, sherehe ni nzuri without changing its meaning?
Yes, you can place sokoni at the beginning for emphasis, like "Sokoni, sherehe ni nzuri," and the meaning remains roughly the same: there is a celebration at the market, and it’s nice. The word order in Swahili can be flexible, though certain structures are more common.