Learn Hardcore Swahili: Sahani ngapi ziko mezani? - How many plates are on the table?

sahani = plate/plates (Class 9/10; same form for singular and plural)
ngapi = how many
ziko = they are/are located (zi- = plural subject agreement; -ko = “be (at) somewhere”)
mezani = at/on the table (from meza “table” + locative suffix -ni)

So the structure is literally “plates how many are (at) table-LOC?”

Why is it ziko and not iko?

Because the subject is plural. Sahani is a Class 9/10 noun whose plural takes the subject prefix zi-, giving ziko. If you were talking about one plate, you would say:

Sahani moja iko mezani. (One plate is on the table.)

Which noun class is sahani, and how do I know it’s plural here?

sahani is Class 9/10; its singular and plural look the same.
Plural is signaled by agreement: ziko (zi- = plural) and the question word ngapi (“how many”) both point to a plural interpretation.
Contrast:
- Singular: Sahani iko mezani.
- Plural: Sahani ziko mezani.

Does ngapi change with different nouns?

Yes, it agrees with the noun class in the plural:

Class 2 (wa-): watu wangapi? (how many people?)
Class 8 (vi-): vitabu vingapi? (how many books?)
Class 4 (mi-): miti mingapi? (how many trees?)
Class 6 (ma-): matunda mangapi? (how many fruits?)
Class 10 (N class, like sahani): no prefix → sahani ngapi?

Where does ngapi go in the noun phrase?

After the noun it modifies:

sahani ngapi, watu wangapi, vitabu vingapi. Fronting it (e.g., putting it before the noun) is not the normal pattern. Even if you reshuffle the sentence for emphasis (e.g., Mezani ziko sahani ngapi?), ngapi still follows the noun.

Can I use kuna instead of ziko?

Yes. kuna expresses existence (“there is/are”):

Kuna sahani ngapi mezani? Both are natural. ziko highlights the plates as the subject located somewhere; kuna highlights their existence at that place.

Should it be zipo rather than ziko?

Both occur. The locative endings carry nuance:

-po (→ zipo): specific/definite place (often preferred with a clearly identified spot, like “the table”).
-ko (→ ziko): general/neutral location.
-mo (→ zimo): inside something. With mezani, many speakers would say zipo mezani; ziko mezani is also widely used and understood.

What exactly does mezani mean? Is it the same as “on the table”?

mezani = “at the table” or “on the table,” depending on context. It’s the locative form (meza + -ni). For precision:

Strictly “on top of the table”: juu ya meza
General “at/on the table”: mezani
Another common option for “on/at”: kwenye meza

How would I ask “Where are the plates?” using the same grammar?

Sahani ziko wapi? (neutral)
Sahani zipo wapi? (specific place)
If they’re inside something: Sahani zimo wapi? is unusual; better specify: Sahani zimo kabatini? (Are the plates in the cupboard?)

How do I answer this question naturally?

If there are some: Sahani tatu ziko mezani. / Kuna sahani tatu mezani.
If there is one: Sahani moja iko mezani.
If there are none: Hakuna sahani mezani. or Sahani haziko mezani.

Why not use ni (the copula) here, like “Ni sahani ngapi…”?

ni links two noun phrases (equational “X is Y”). For existence and location, Swahili uses kuna/ziko/zipo/zimo, not ni. So you say:

Kuna/ziko/zipo/zimo, not ni, to ask/answer about what’s at a place.

How do I pronounce ngapi? Is the “g” silent?

The “g” is not silent. Start with the “ng” sound as in English “finger,” then add “-api”: [nggah-pee]. Rough guide:

sahani: sah-HAH-nee
ngapi: NGGAH-pee
ziko: ZEE-koh
mezani: meh-ZAH-nee

Is the word order fixed, or can I front the location?

You can front the location for emphasis or flow:

Mezani ziko sahani ngapi?
Mezani kuna sahani ngapi? The noun + ngapi sequence stays together, and agreement (e.g., ziko/zipo) must still match the noun.