Kitabu kipo kando ya dirisha.

The book is beside the window.

Breakdown of Kitabu kipo kando ya dirisha.

• kitabu: the book
• kuwa: to be
• dirisha: the window
• kando ya: beside

Questions & Answers about Kitabu kipo kando ya dirisha.

What does kipo mean in this sentence?

kipo is a form of the verb kuwa (to be) that expresses location. It’s made up of:

• the class 7 subject prefix ki- (agreeing with kitabu)
• plus the locative suffix -po
  So kitabu kipo literally means “the book is located…”.

Why do we use kipo and not kuna?

kuna means “there is/are” in a general sense and doesn’t change to agree with noun classes. kipo, however, agrees with the class 7 noun kitabu via the prefix ki-. Use kuna for statements like “there is something” without specifying which noun class.

What is the difference between the locative suffixes -po, -ko, and -mo?

They’re all used with subject prefixes to show “to be at/in a place,” but with different nuances:

• -po: a specific, known location right now (e.g. kipo, “it’s right here”).
• -ko: a general or habitual location (e.g. kiko, “it’s usually there”).
• -mo: inside or within boundaries (e.g. kimo, “it’s inside it”).

What does kando ya mean and how is it formed?

kando means “side.” To say “side of/next to X,” you attach the genitive connector for the noun class of X. Here:

• kando (class 9)
• plus ya (the class 9 genitive link)
• plus dirisha (“window,” also class 9)
  gives kando ya dirisha = “beside the window.”

Why is there a ya between kando and dirisha, and how do genitive links work?

Swahili uses different genitive links (of/connectors) to show possession or “of” relationships. You choose the link according to the class of the first noun:

• Class 1/2 link: wa
• Class 5/6 link: la
• Class 7/8 link: la
• Class 9/10 link: ya
  Since kando and dirisha are both class 9, you use ya.

Why don’t we see “the” or “a” before kitabu or dirisha?

Swahili has no separate articles like “the” or “a/an.” Nouns stand alone, and whether something is definite or indefinite is understood from context. If you need to specify “that book,” you’d add a demonstrative, e.g. kitabu hicho.

Which noun class is kitabu in, and what’s its plural?

kitabu is in noun class 7 (KI-VI). Its plural (class 8) is vitabu.

How do I ask “Where is the book?” in Swahili?

You say Kitabu kipo wapi?

• Kitabu (book)
• kipo (is located)
• wapi (where)

How would I say “The book is near the window” instead of “beside”?

Use karibu na for “near”:
Kitabu kiko karibu na dirisha.
Here we switch to the -ko suffix (kiko) for a more general “near” sense.