Vikombe vyako viko mezani.

Your cups are on the table.

Breakdown of Vikombe vyako viko mezani.

• kuwa: to be
• meza: the table
• kwenye: on
• kikombe: the cup
• vyako: your

Questions & Answers about Vikombe vyako viko mezani.

What does each word correspond to, and how is the sentence built?

• Vikombe = cups (plural of kikombe, cup). Class 7/8 (ki-/vi-).
• vyako = your (2nd person singular), agreeing with class 8: vy-
  • -ako.
• viko = are (located). Class-8 subject prefix vi-
  • locative copula -ko.
• mezani = at/on the table. meza (table) + locative suffix -ni.

Literal structure: cups your are.at table-LOC.

Why is it vikombe and not kikombe?

Because the noun is plural. Class 7/8 nouns take ki- in the singular and vi- in the plural:

• singular: kikombe (a cup)
• plural: vikombe (cups)

Why vyako and not yako or wako?

The possessive must agree with the noun class:

• Class 8 (plural of ki-/vi-) uses vy- → vyako = your (to one person).
• Class 9/10 (e.g., meza) uses y- → meza yako = your table.
• Class 1/2 (people, e.g., mtoto) uses w- → mtoto wako = your child. For the singular cup (class 7), it would be kikombe chako (class-7 possessive concord ch-).

What is viko, and why not ziko or just ni?

• viko = vi- (class‑8 subject) + -ko (locative “to be at”). It means “are (located).”
• ziko uses zi- (class‑10 subject), e.g., Sahani ziko mezani (plates are on the table).
• ni is the equative copula (“X is Y”), not used for physical location. Use -ko/-po/-mo forms for “to be (located).”

When should I use viko vs vipo vs vimo?

• viko: general/unspecified location (neutral).
• vipo: specific/definite location (often something known/pointed out).
• vimo: inside something. Examples:
• Vikombe vyako viko mezani. (They’re on the table—neutral.)
• Vikombe vyako vipo mezani. (They’re on that specific table.)
• Vikombe vyako vimo kabatini. (They’re inside the cupboard.)

What does the -ni on mezani do?

The suffix -ni makes a locative (“in/at/on”). So meza → mezani = at/on the table. You’ll see the same with places: shuleni (at school), nyumbani (at home), darasani (in class).

Is mezani the same as kwenye meza or juu ya meza?

• mezani: at/on the table; often means on the surface or at the table area (e.g., at mealtime).
• kwenye meza: at/on the table (neutral, very common).
• juu ya meza: specifically on top of the table (emphasizes the surface). In many contexts mezani is understood as “on the table,” but use juu ya meza for clarity if needed.

Can I put mezani at the front?

Yes, for emphasis or style: Mezani viko vikombe vyako. The verb still agrees with the subject (vikombe), and meaning stays the same.

Can I drop the verb viko?

Not in a full, standard sentence. You need the locative verb (viko/vipo/vimo). In very casual replies or headlines you might see ellipsis, e.g., Q: “Viko wapi vikombe vyako?” A: “Mezani.” But don’t omit the verb in normal sentences.

How do I make it negative?

Use the class‑8 negative subject prefix havi- and keep the locative ending:

• Vikombe vyako haviko mezani. (not there, neutral)
• Vikombe vyako havipo mezani. (not at that specific place)
• Vikombe vyako havimo mezani. (not inside the table—rarely needed here) You can add a contrast: Haviko mezani; viko kabatini.

How do I ask “Where are your cups?”

• Vikombe vyako viko wapi? Alternative word order for emphasis:
• Viko wapi vikombe vyako?

How would this look in the singular?

• Kikombe chako kiko mezani. Here, class 7 uses ch- for the possessive (chako) and ki- for the verb subject (kiko).

What’s the difference between vyako and vyenu?

• vyako = your (addressing one person).
• vyenu = your (addressing more than one person). Example: Vikombe vyenu viko mezani (speaking to a group).

Could it ever be ziko mezani instead of viko mezani?

Yes, but only if the noun is class 10 (N/N) plural. For example: Sahani ziko mezani (plates are on the table). With vikombe (class 8), you must use viko.

What’s the difference between Vikombe viko mezani and Kuna vikombe mezani?

• Vikombe viko mezani: “The cups are on the table.” The cups are specific/known.
• Kuna vikombe mezani: “There are cups on the table.” This just states existence; the cups are not necessarily specific. Negative: Hakuna vikombe mezani.

Is vyako one word or can I write vya ako?

It’s one word: vyako. Possessives are written as a single word formed by the agreement element plus the person ending: vy- + -ako. (Related: the connector vya meaning “of” before a noun, as in vikombe vya chuma “metal cups,” is a different construction.)

How do I pronounce the cluster in vyako?

Say it as one syllable onset: [vya-] like “vya” in “vyah-ko.” The vy- is a smooth consonant cluster; don’t insert a vowel between v and y.