Learn Hardcore Swahili: Vyombo tunavyotumia jikoni viko kwenye kabati. - The utensils that we use in the kitchen are in the cupboard.

In a kitchen context, it usually means kitchen utensils/dishes (pots, pans, plates, cups, spoons).
More generally, it can mean tools/instruments/vessels.
In set phrases: vyombo vya habari = the media; vyombo vya usafiri = means of transport. So here it naturally means the utensils/dishes used in the kitchen.

Why is it viko and not something like ziko?

Because vyombo is noun class 8 (plural of class 7), which takes the agreement prefix vi-. The locative “be” for class 8 is viko.

ziko is used with class 10 plural nouns (those that take zi-), e.g., “Meza ziko chumbani” (The tables are in the room). So: vyombo → viko; meza (class 10) → ziko.

What does the -ko part in viko mean, and could I use vipo or vimo instead?

Swahili has three locative “be” forms:

-ko (viko): general/neutral location.
-po (vipo): specific/definite location (a particular known spot).
-mo (vimo): inside an enclosed space. Your sentence uses the neutral choice (viko kwenye kabati) and is fine. If you want to stress insideness, you could say:
Vimo kabatini (They are inside the cupboard). If emphasizing a particular spot (e.g., that specific cupboard we’ve been talking about), vipo can be used:
Vipo kwenye kabati kile.

How is tunavyotumia built morphologically?

It’s a relative-verb complex:

tu- = we (subject)
-na- = present/habitual tense-aspect
-vyo- = relative marker agreeing with class 8 head noun (vyombo)
tumia = use Altogether: tu-na-vyo-tumia → “that we use.” The -vyo- links the clause to the noun being described.

Why not just say tunatumia instead of tunavyotumia?

Tunatumia means “we use.” In your sentence you need “the utensils that we use,” which requires a relative construction. Tunavyotumia provides exactly that: “which we use.” Without the relative marker, the clause wouldn’t modify vyombo properly.

Do I need an object marker vi- inside the clause (tunavyovitumia)?

No—not with the bound relative -vyo-. The relative marker already stands in for the noun inside the clause. So:

Correct: vyombo tunavyotumia (the utensils that we use)
Avoid in standard usage: ✗ vyombo tunavyovitumia (redundant)

Could I use the amba- relative instead of the bound form?

Yes. Two common options:

Vyombo ambavyo tunatumia jikoni viko kwenye kabati.
Vyombo ambavyo tunavitumia jikoni viko kwenye kabati. With amba-, many teachers prefer adding the object marker (vi-) when the head noun is the object of the verb (as here), but in modern usage both forms occur. The bound form (tunavyotumia) is more compact and very natural.

What does jikoni mean precisely? Is it “in the kitchen” or “at the stove”?

Jikoni is the locative form of jiko, and it most often means in the kitchen. Depending on context, it can also mean at the stove/cooking area. In your sentence it clearly modifies “use,” so it means “that we use in the kitchen.”

Can I say katika jikoni or kwenye jikoni instead of just jikoni?

You can hear both katika jikoni and kwenye jikoni in everyday speech, but they’re somewhat redundant because -ni already marks location. The most natural, concise choice here is simply jikoni. Use katika/kwenye when the noun lacks the locative suffix, e.g., kwenye kabati (since “kabati” isn’t in the -ni form there).

Why is jikoni next to tunavyotumia? Could it go after viko?

Placement signals what it modifies:

Vyombo [tunavyotumia jikoni] viko ... = the utensils that we use in the kitchen are ...
Vyombo tunavyotumia [viko jikoni] ... would suggest they are located in the kitchen (not just used there), which changes the meaning. In your sentence, jikoni belongs to the relative clause (use), not to the main clause (be located).

What’s the difference between kwenye kabati, kabatini, and ndani ya kabati?

All are good, with nuance:

kwenye kabati = in/on/at the cupboard (general location).
kabatini = in the cupboard (using the locative -ni; concise and common).
ndani ya kabati = inside the cupboard (explicitly emphasizes interior). So you could also say: Vyombo ... vimo kabatini to emphasize “inside.”

How does noun class agreement work here (vyombo → vyo / vi-)?

chombo (singular, class 7) → vyombo (plural, class 8).
Class 8 agreement uses vi- for subject markers and -vyo- for the relative marker. Hence:
viko (they are, located) agrees with vyombo.
-vyo- in tunavyotumia agrees with vyombo. If it were singular: chombo tunachotumia jikoni kiko ...

How would I change the tenses (e.g., “were in the cupboard” or “that we used”)?

Location in the past: vili-kuwa → Vyombo ... vilikuwa kwenye kabati.
Relative in the past: change -na- to -li- (simple past) or -me- (perfect):
- tunavyotumia (that we use)
- tulivyotumia (that we used)
- tulivyokuwa tukitumia (that we were using) Combine as needed: Vyombo tulivyotumia jikoni vilikuwa kwenye kabati.

Is kabati singular or plural? Could I say it with -ni: kabatini?

Kabati is singular (class 5), with plural makabati (class 6). You can add the locative suffix:

kabatini = in the cupboard. Your sentence uses the preposition kwenye kabati; both that and kabatini are common and natural.

Could I express “kitchen utensils” without a relative clause?

Yes: use a possessive/genitive phrase.

Vyombo vya jikoni viko kwenye kabati. = The kitchen utensils are in the cupboard. This avoids the relative clause and is very natural.