-o- (ngeli ya 3)

Class 3 Relative -o-

Level 3

The morpheme -o- is the relative pronoun (meaning 'which' or 'that') used to connect a relative clause to a Class 3 noun (singular nouns usually starting with m-, like mti or mkate).

How It Works

The Class 3 relative marker -o- is essential for describing Class 3 nouns with verbs. Let's look at the three ways it is used:

1. The Infix Strategy
This is extremely common in everyday speech. The -o- is placed inside the verb, right after the tense marker. It is only allowed with three specific tenses and one general negative marker:

  • Present (-na-): mti u-na-o-anguka (the tree that is falling)
  • Past (-li-): mkate ni-li-o-nunua (the bread that I bought)
  • Future (-taka-): The standard future tense -ta- changes to -taka- before a relative marker: mti u-taka-o-anguka (the tree that will fall).
  • General Negative (-si-): mti u-si-o-anguka (the tree that is not falling). Because the -si- relative is tenseless, it can also mean "does not fall," "did not fall," or "will not fall" depending on the context.

2. The Amba- Strategy
You can attach -o- to the relative stem amba- to form ambao. This is highly frequent and works with any tense. It is mandatory for tenses that cannot take an infix, like the perfect tense -me-, or for specific negative tenses:

  • Perfect Tense: mti ambao umeanguka (the tree which has fallen)
  • Specific Negative Tenses: mti ambao haukuanguka (the tree that did not fall) or mti ambao hautaanguka (the tree that will not fall).

3. The Tenseless Suffix Strategy
In formal writing, poetry, or proverbs, -o- can be attached to the end of the verb to express a timeless or habitual truth:

  • mti uangukao (a tree that falls)

Subject vs. Object Relatives
The -o- marker can represent either the subject or the object of the relative clause.

  • Subject: Mti unaoanguka... (The tree that is falling...) - The tree is doing the falling.
  • Object: Mkate nilioununua... (The bread that I bought...) - The bread is receiving the action. Notice the sequence: ni-li-o-u-nunua (I-past-[REL]-o-[OBJ]-u-buy). While textbook grammar often requires the Class 3 Object -u- here, native speakers frequently drop it in casual speech for inanimate objects (mkate nili-o-nunua).

Examples (5)

  1. Mti unaoanguka ni mkubwa.

    The tree that is falling is big.

    Word by Word: Tree it-present-which-fall is big.

    Subject relative using the tensed infix strategy with the present tense -na-.

  2. Mkate nilioununua ni mtamu.

    The bread that I bought is delicious.

    Word by Word: Bread I-past-which-it-buy is delicious.

    Object relative using the tensed infix strategy. Notice both the relative -o- and the object prefix -u- are present.

  3. Mchezo wa bodi ambao tulichagua leo unahitaji umakini.

    The board game which we chose today requires concentration.

    Word by Word: Game of board which we-past-choose today it-present-need concentration.

    Using the amba- strategy (ambao) for a Class 3 noun.

  4. Mti ambao umeanguka umeziba barabara.

    The tree which has fallen has blocked the road.

    Word by Word: Tree which it-perfect-fall it-perfect-block road.

    Because the perfect tense -me- cannot take a relative infix, the amba- strategy is mandatory here.

  5. Mkoba utakaonifaa ni huu.

    The bag that will suit me is this one.

    Word by Word: Bag it-future-which-me-suit is this.

    Future relative. Notice how the future tense marker -ta- changes to -taka- before the relative -o-.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the relative infix with the perfect tense -me-.

    Mti umeoanguka.
    Mti ambao umeanguka.

    The perfect tense marker -me- cannot take a relative infix. You must use the amba- strategy instead.

  • Using the Class 9 relative marker -yo- for Class 3 nouns.

    Mti unayoanguka.
    Mti unaoanguka.

    Because Class 9 nouns are very common, learners often overgeneralize its relative marker -yo-. Class 3 nouns must use -o-.

How It Connects

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

-o- (ngeli ya 3)Level 3Class 3 Relative -o-

Learn This First

To learn the Class 3 relative, you must first be familiar with the M-MI noun class and its specific subject agreement markers. Additionally, you need to understand the general mechanics of the relative -o- infix system used in Swahili verbs.

Words in This Pattern

-o--o