Vitabu vingi viko darasani.

to be

Breakdown of Vitabu vingi viko darasani.

• kitabu: the book
• kwenye: at
• darasa: the classroom

Questions & Answers about Vitabu vingi viko darasani.

Why is the adjective vingi placed after the noun vitabu, instead of before as in English?

In Swahili, adjectives customarily follow the noun they modify. Although English uses the order many books, Swahili arranges it as books many—hence vitabu vingi.

How does the verb viko agree with the subject vitabu in this sentence?

Swahili employs a system of noun classes that determines verb concord. Vitabu is a plural noun belonging to a class that uses the vi- prefix. Consequently, the present-tense form of kuwa (‘to be’) becomes viko to agree with that noun class.

Why is the word vitabu used instead of kitabu?

Swahili nouns change form between singular and plural. The singular kitabu (meaning book) becomes vitabu in the plural. The prefix transforms from ki- (singular) to vi- (plural) following a regular pattern in the language.

What does the suffix -ni in darasani signify?

The suffix -ni is a locative marker in Swahili that indicates place. When added to darasa (classroom), it forms darasani, meaning in the classroom or at the classroom.