Kitabu hiki kinafaa darasani.

This book is suitable for the classroom.

Breakdown of Kitabu hiki kinafaa darasani.

• kitabu: the book
• kwenye: at
• hiki: this
• darasa: the classroom
• kufaa: to be suitable

Questions & Answers about Kitabu hiki kinafaa darasani.

Why is the demonstrative hiki used with kitabu?

In Swahili, adjectives and demonstratives must agree with the noun’s class. Kitabu (meaning book) belongs to the Ki-/Vi- noun class, which uses hiki for “this.” Therefore, kitabu hiki correctly translates to “this book.”

What does the verb kinafaa mean, and how is it formed?

Kinafaa means “is useful” or “serves the purpose.” It comes from the verb nafaa (to be useful) modified with the subject concord ki- to agree with kitabu from the Ki-/Vi- class. This shows how Swahili verbs change their prefix based on the subject’s noun class.

How does the locative suffix -ni in darasani function in the sentence?

In Swahili, the suffix -ni is used to indicate location. Darasa means “class” or “lesson,” and adding -ni forms darasani, which translates to “in class.” This suffix effectively turns the noun into a locative phrase.

What is the overall word order of the sentence?

The sentence follows a straightforward Swahili structure: subject followed by verb and then a locative complement. Kitabu hiki is the subject, kinafaa is the verb, and darasani provides the location. This arrangement makes it clear and easy to understand.

How does subject concord work in this example?

In Swahili, verbs must agree with the noun they refer to by using the appropriate concord. Since kitabu is in the Ki-/Vi- class, the verb uses the prefix ki-, resulting in kinafaa. This agreement between the subject and verb is central to Swahili grammar, ensuring consistency and clarity in the sentence.