-zi-

Class 10 Object -zi-

Level 3

The infix -zi- is the Class 10 object marker, translating to "them" for plural inanimate nouns. This includes plurals of Class 9 N-class nouns (like nguo, nyumba) and plurals of Class 11 U-class nouns (like kuta, funguo).

How It Works

The Class 10 object marker -zi- is used for plural inanimate nouns in Class 10. This includes plurals of Class 9 nouns (such as nguo 'clothes', nyumba 'houses') and plurals of Class 11 nouns (such as kuta 'walls', funguo 'keys').

Where does it go?
It is an infix that attaches directly before the verb root, following the Swahili verb-slot order:
Subject + Tense + (Relative) + -zi- + Verb Root.
No matter how many prefixes or infixes a verb has (such as a relative infix), the object marker is always the very last one immediately before the verb root.

When is it used?

  • As a pronoun: To replace the noun when it is understood from context (e.g., "I saw them").
  • Object Doubling: It is frequently used alongside the explicit noun (e.g., "I saw them, the houses"). This is not redundant; it marks the object as definite, specific, or already known to the listener.
  • Disambiguating Singular vs. Plural: Because many nouns in Classes 9 and 10 have the exact same form in both singular and plural (e.g., nguo can mean 'clothes' or 'a piece of clothing'), the object marker is often the only way to tell them apart. Using -zi- clearly indicates the plural ('them'), whereas the Class 9 object marker -i- indicates the singular ('it').

Special Rules with Object Markers:

  • Monosyllabic Verbs: When an object marker is added to a short verb, the infinitive ku- is dropped (Short Verbs with an Object Marker). For example, kula (to eat) + -zi- becomes nitazila (I will eat them), NOT nitakuzila.
  • Imperative Commands: When using an object marker in a command, the final vowel of Bantu-origin verbs changes from -a to -e. For example, Soma barua! (Read the letters!) becomes Zisome! (Read them!), NOT Zisoma!.

Important Note: The object marker -zi- is stable and does not change its form or drop its vowel before vowel-commencing verb roots (e.g., tu-ta-zi-anika → tutazianika).

Examples (4)

  1. Nimeziweka mezani.

    I have put them on the table.

    Word by Word: I-have-them-put table-on.

    Here, -zi- replaces a Class 10 noun (like nguo or funguo) that was already mentioned.

  2. Tutazianika nguo kwenye kamba.

    We will hang the clothes on the line to dry.

    Word by Word: We-will-them-hang clothes on line.

    This shows "object doubling." The marker -zi- is used alongside the noun nguo to show that these are specific, definite clothes.

  3. Tafadhali usizikose nambari.

    Please don't miss the numbers.

    Word by Word: Please you-don't-them-miss numbers.

    Demonstrates the placement of -zi- in a negative command: u-si-zi-kose.

  4. Nilizinunua ndizi jana.

    I bought the bananas yesterday.

    Word by Word: I-past-them-buy bananas yesterday.

    Using -zi- with ndizi makes it clear you are talking about specific bananas, not just bananas in general.

Common Mistakes

  • Using -zi- for animate nouns in Class 10.

    Niliziona mbwa.
    Niliwaona mbwa.

    Even though words like mbwa (dogs) or ndege (birds) belong to Class 10 morphologically, they are animate. Swahili requires the human agreement override (or animate override), meaning all animate objects must take the Class 2 object marker -wa-, regardless of their noun class.

  • Confusing the object marker -zi- with the subject marker zi-.

    Ziliona mimi.
    Niliziona.

    While both are -zi-, the subject marker goes at the very beginning of the verb to show who is doing the action (e.g., zilianguka = they fell). The object marker goes right before the verb root to show who/what receives the action.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

-zi-Level 3Class 10 Object -zi-

Learn This First

To use the class 10 object marker -zi-, you need to be familiar with the N-class (Class 9/10) nouns, as -zi- specifically represents plural nouns in this class. Additionally, you must understand the general rules for object markers and where they fit into the standard Swahili verb template.

Words in This Pattern

-zi-