Learn Hardcore Swahili: Chai hii haitoshi.

In Swahili demonstrative adjectives always follow the noun they modify. So instead of “this tea” (demonstrative + noun) you say chai hii (noun + demonstrative).

How do I know to use hii instead of hiyo or huyu with chai?

Swahili nouns belong to different classes, and each class has its own set of demonstratives. Chai is class 9 (things like tea, sugar, etc.). For class 9 you use:
• hii for “this (near me)”
• hiyo for “that (near you)”
By contrast, huyu is the class 1 form (used for people).

What does haitoshi break down into, and what does each part mean?

haitoshi = ha- + -i- + tosh + -i
• ha- = negative prefix (“not”)
• -i- = class 9 subject concord (“it”)
• tosh = verb root “to suffice/be enough”
• -i = negative-present final suffix
Altogether it means “it is not enough.”

Why does the verb end in -i instead of the usual -a?