Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Swahili grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Shati lako ni kijani.
What does each word in Shati lako ni kijani mean?
Shati translates to shirt; lako is the appropriate possessive adjective meaning your (agreeing with the noun’s class); ni is the copula that means is; and kijani means green.
How is possession expressed in this sentence?
Possession is shown through the use of the possessive adjective lako, which agrees with the noun shati. In Swahili, possessive adjectives change form based on the noun’s class, and here lako correctly reflects “your” for the noun class that shati belongs to.
Why does the adjective kijani not have a prefix that agrees with shati?
In Swahili, when an adjective is used as a predicate (following the copula ni), it remains in its base form instead of taking a noun-class prefix. Thus, even though adjectives typically agree with the noun when used attributively, in this sentence kijani stays unchanged after ni.
What is the function of the copula ni in this sentence?
The copula ni functions as the linking verb, connecting the subject (shati lako) with the predicate adjective (kijani), much like the English verb is in the sentence Your shirt is green.
How does the noun class system affect this sentence?
Swahili nouns are divided into classes, and both possessive adjectives and descriptive adjectives are influenced by the noun’s class. For example, the noun shati falls into a class that uses the form lako for the second-person singular possessive. Understanding these noun classes helps you choose the correct forms and ensures agreements are maintained throughout the sentence.
What is the overall structure of Shati lako ni kijani?
The sentence follows a clear structure: it starts with the subject (shati lako), followed by the copula (ni), and ends with the predicate adjective (kijani). This mirrors the typical English pattern in descriptive sentences like Your shirt is green.