Maktaba iko mbali, lakini tutakwenda kwa miguu.

The library is far, but we will go on foot.

Breakdown of Maktaba iko mbali, lakini tutakwenda kwa miguu.

• kuwa: to be
• sisi: we
• kwenda: to go
• lakini: but

Questions & Answers about Maktaba iko mbali, lakini tutakwenda kwa miguu.

Why is iko used in Maktaba iko mbali instead of ni?

Because iko is the natural form for saying that something is in a place or is at some distance/location.

So:

• Maktaba iko mbali = The library is far away
• ni is more for identity or classification

Compare:

• Maktaba ni jengo = A library is a building
• Maktaba iko mjini = The library is in town
• Maktaba iko mbali = The library is far away

So in this sentence, iko is the better choice because the speaker is talking about the library's location/distance, not what it is.

Why is it specifically i-ko? What does the i- refer to?