Adapta ya kompyuta iko mezani karibu na printa.

Ya is a linking word that often means of, for, or belonging to, depending on context.

So adapta ya kompyuta can be understood as:

• the computer’s adapter
• the adapter for the computer
• the computer adapter

In this sentence, it is the natural way to connect adapta and kompyuta.

A useful thing to notice: ya agrees with the noun class of adapta.

Because iko is used for location/existence, while ni is used for identity.

• Adapta ni kifaa. = The adapter is a device.
• Adapta iko mezani. = The adapter is on the table.

So in your sentence, the speaker is saying where the adapter is, not what it is.

Iko means something like it is there / it is located.

It comes from a location form used with certain noun classes. Here it refers to adapta, which normally behaves like a class 9 noun in the singular, so the agreement prefix is i-:

• i-
  • locative form -ko → iko

So iko mezani means it is on the table / at the table.

The ending -ni is a very common locative suffix in Swahili. It often means in, on, or at, depending on the noun and the situation.

• meza = table
• mezani = on the table / at the table

Even though English specifically says on the table, Swahili often uses this locative form more generally.

Other examples:

• nyumbani = at home
• shuleni = at school
• chumbani = in the room

It can cover both kinds of meanings, because Swahili locatives are often broader than English prepositions.

In this sentence, mezani is best understood as on the table, because that is what makes sense for an adapter.

So the exact English preposition is chosen from context.

Karibu na means near or close to.

• karibu = near/close
• na = to/with, depending on context

Together, karibu na printa means near the printer.

Be careful: karibu by itself can also appear in other expressions, such as welcome. But here, with na, it clearly means near.

In this structure, na links karibu to the thing being referred to.

So:

• karibu na printa = near the printer

You should learn karibu na as a set phrase meaning near.

Adapta is usually treated as a class 9 noun in the singular. That matters because noun class affects agreement in Swahili.

Here are two places where you can see that agreement:

• adapta ya kompyuta → ya matches the noun class of adapta
• adapta ... iko → i- in iko also matches adapta

If you made it plural, the agreement would change:

• Adapta za kompyuta ziko mezani. = The computer adapters are on the table.

So even borrowed words still follow Swahili grammar patterns.

Because they are loanwords. Modern Swahili borrows many words for technology and office items, often from English.

So:

• adapta ≈ adapter
• kompyuta ≈ computer
• printa ≈ printer

The spelling is adjusted to fit Swahili sound patterns and writing conventions.

This is very common in everyday Swahili, especially with modern objects.

No. Swahili does not have articles like a and the.

So adapta, kompyuta, and printa can mean:

• an adapter / the adapter
• a computer / the computer
• a printer / the printer

The exact meaning depends on context. In a real situation, the listener usually already knows whether a specific adapter or printer is meant.

Yes. The order is very natural:

• Adapta ya kompyuta = the subject
• iko = is located
• mezani = on the table
• karibu na printa = near the printer

So the structure is basically:

[thing] + [is located] + [place] + [extra location detail]

This is a common and clear way to describe where something is.

A simple pronunciation guide is:

a-DAP-ta ya kom-PYU-ta EE-ko meh-ZA-ni ka-ROO-boo na PRIN-ta

A few tips:

• Swahili vowels are usually clear and consistent:
  • a as in father
  • e as in bed but often a bit purer
  • i as in machine
  • o as in go but without much glide
  • u as in flute
• Stress is usually on the second-to-last syllable:
  • a-DAP-ta
  • kom-PYU-ta
  • me-ZA-ni
  • ka-ROO-bu

That makes Swahili pronunciation more regular than English.