Learn Hardcore Swahili: Nilipoteza glavu zangu sokoni jana. - I lost my gloves at the market yesterday.

potea is intransitive (“to get lost” – something loses itself), while poteza is the causative, transitive form (“to lose something”).
• Kitabu kimepotea = the book got lost
• Nimepoteza kitabu = I have lost the book

Why is it glavu zangu and not glavi zangu or glavu yangu?

glavu is a borrowed noun treated as Swahili noun class 9/10, which has the same form in singular and plural. Class 9/10 possessives take the prefix z-, so “my gloves” becomes glavu zangu (not glavu yangu, which would be for class 1 nouns).

How do you form the plural of glavu?

Class 9/10 nouns like glavu do not change form for number. You keep glavu and indicate quantity with numerals:
• glavu moja = one glove
• glavu mbili = two gloves

What does the -ni suffix do in sokoni?

The -ni suffix is the locative marker meaning “at” or “in.” Attach it directly to place nouns:
• soko (market) → sokoni (at the market)
• shule (school) → shuleni (at school)

Can I say katika soko instead of sokoni?

Yes – katika soko also means “in the market.” However, the locative suffix (sokoni) is more concise. katika + noun often emphasizes being “inside” or “within” a space.

Where can I place the time adverb jana (“yesterday”)?

Time adverbs are flexible. You can put jana at the beginning, after the subject, or at the end:
• Jana nilipoteza glavu zangu sokoni.
• Nilipoteza glavu zangu sokoni jana.

What’s the difference between nilipoteza and nimepoteza?

• nilipoteza uses -li- (simple past) = “I lost…”
• nimepoteza uses -me- (present perfect) = “I have lost…”

How would you ask “Did you lose your gloves at the market yesterday?” in Swahili?

You can use je or rely on intonation:
• Je, ulipoteza glavu zako sokoni jana?
• Ulipoteza glavu zako sokoni jana?
If you want “have you lost…?” instead of simple past, use ume-: Je, umepoteza glavu zako?