Kitabu hiki hupatikana dukani.

Kitabu hiki hupatikana dukani.
This book is available at the shop.
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Questions & Answers about Kitabu hiki hupatikana dukani.

What is the meaning and function of Kitabu hiki in the sentence?
Kitabu means book and hiki is the demonstrative for a singular noun belonging to the Ki-/Vi- class, translating to “this book.” Together, they specify which book the sentence is about.
Why is the demonstrative hiki used here instead of forms like hicho or huyu?
Swahili nouns are divided into classes, and kitabu falls into the Ki-/Vi- class. The correct demonstrative for a singular noun in this class is hiki. Other demonstrative forms such as hicho or huyu are reserved for different noun classes or refer to different genders or animacies.
What does the verb form hupatikana indicate, and why does it use the prefix hu-?
The verb hupatikana comes from kupatikana, meaning “to be found” or “to be available.” The hu- prefix marks the present habitual tense, which is commonly used in Swahili to express general truths or states that are reliably true. It also functions as an impersonal marker suitable for inanimate subjects like kitabu.
How is the locative sense expressed in dukani?
Dukani is formed by adding the locative suffix -ni to duka (meaning “shop” or “store”). The suffix -ni indicates location, so dukani means “in the shop.”
What is the overall sentence structure highlighted in this example?
The sentence follows a common Swahili structure: the subject comes first (Kitabu hiki), followed by the verb (hupatikana), and finally the locative phrase (dukani). Notice that subject information (both the noun and its demonstrative) is provided at the beginning, while verb prefixes take care of tense and agreement, making standalone subject pronouns unnecessary.