Kitabu hiki ni nzuri kabisa.

to be

Breakdown of Kitabu hiki ni nzuri kabisa.

• kitabu: the book
• hiki: this
• nzuri: beautiful
• kabisa: completely

Questions & Answers about Kitabu hiki ni nzuri kabisa.

What does Kitabu mean, and why isn’t there an article before it?

Kitabu means book in Swahili. Unlike English, Swahili does not use separate articles such as “a” or “the.” Instead, definiteness or emphasis is often conveyed using demonstratives (like hiki in this sentence) or by context.

Why is the demonstrative hiki used with kitabu instead of using forms like hii?

Swahili nouns belong to different noun classes, and demonstratives must agree with the noun’s class. Kitabu is in the ki-/vi- class, so the correct demonstrative for “this” is hiki. Forms like hii are reserved for nouns in other classes, which is why kitabu hiki is used.

What function does the word ni serve in this sentence?

The word ni is a linking verb that functions much like the English “is.” It connects the subject (kitabu hiki) to its predicate (nzuri kabisa), establishing the equivalence or state of the subject.

Why is the adjective nzuri used without a noun class prefix, even though many adjectives in Swahili show agreement with the noun?

In Swahili, adjectives can be used in two ways: attributively or predicatively. When an adjective is used attributively (directly before the noun), it typically takes a prefix that agrees with the noun class (for example, kitabu kizuri). However, when used predicatively—after the linking verb ni—the adjective appears in its bare form, as in nzuri kabisa.

What is the meaning of kabisa, and how does it affect the adjective nzuri?

Kabisa is an intensifier that means completely or absolutely. In this sentence, it strengthens the adjective, so nzuri kabisa means “very good” or “excellent,” emphasizing the high quality of the book.