Swahili uses prefixes and other word-building patterns extensively. Understanding them can help you recognise unfamiliar words and understand how different forms relate to one another.
What is a prefix?
A prefix is a group of letters placed at the beginning of a word.
Swahili uses prefixes for several grammatical purposes, including noun classes, subject marking and tense.
Subject prefixes
- ni- — I
- u- — you
- a- — he/she
- tu- — we
- m- — you plural
- wa- — they
For example:
ni + na + soma = nasoma
I am studying.
wa + na + soma = wanasoma
They are studying.
Tense markers
Common tense markers include:
- -na- — present
- -li- — past
- -ta- — future
Examples:
- ninasoma — I am studying
- nilisoma — I studied
- nitasoma — I will study
Infinitive prefix
The prefix ku- is commonly used with infinitive verbs.
Examples:
- kula — to eat
- kunywa — to drink
- kusoma — to read/study
- kuandika — to write
- kwenda — to go
Noun-class prefixes
Noun prefixes are particularly important in Swahili.
Examples include:
- m-/wa-
- ki-/vi-
- ji-/ma-
- u-
- ku-
- pa-/ku-/mu- in locative constructions
Examples:
- mtoto → watoto
- kitabu → vitabu
- jicho → macho
Swahili can form related words using different word-building patterns.
For example, the verb:
soma — read/study
is related to:
msomaji — reader
mwanafunzi — student