-cho-

Class 7 Relative -cho-

Level 3

The marker -cho- is the relative pronoun for Class 7 (ki- class) nouns, such as kitabu (book) or chakula (food). It translates to "which" or "that." When used without a specific noun, it implies the word kitu (thing) and translates to "what."

How It Works

Understanding how to attach -cho- is key to building complex sentences in Swahili.

1. As an Infix
The most common conversational use is inserting -cho- directly into the verb, between the tense marker and the object prefix or verb root. To tell subject and object relatives apart, look at the subject prefix: if they differ, the noun is the object. If the relative infix matches the subject prefix, it is usually a subject relative, though this is not guaranteed if both the subject and object belong to Class 7.

  • ki-na-cho-somwa (which is being read) - Subject relative
  • ni-li-cho-soma (which I read) - Object relative without an object prefix
  • ni-li-cho-ki-soma (which I read [it]) - Object relative with the object prefix -ki-

2. The Future Tense Mutation
When using the future tense, you cannot simply use -ta-. It must mutate to -taka- before the relative infix.

  • ki-taka-cho-somwa (which will be read)

3. The Amba- Form
The relative infix can only be used with three affirmative tenses: -na- (present), -li- (past), and -taka- (future). For all other tenses (like the perfect -me-, conditionals, or habituals), you must use the standalone word ambacho. It is also used for emphasis or in formal contexts. Note that when using the amba- form with the future tense, the verb reverts to the standard -ta- tense marker rather than retaining the -taka- mutation.

  • Chakula ambacho kimepikwa (The food which has been cooked)
  • Kitabu ambacho kitasomwa (The book which will be read)

4. The Tenseless Relative Suffix
For habitual actions or general truths, the relative marker is attached to the end of the verb without a tense marker.

  • kitabu kisomwacho (a book which is usually read)

5. Negative Relatives
To negate a relative clause, use the infix -si- instead of standard negative markers. However, this -si- form is tenseless and defaults to a general or present negative. It cannot be combined with past or future tense markers.

  • kitabu kisichosomwa (a book which is not read)

To negate other tenses, use the amba- form followed by the standard negative verb:

  • kitabu ambacho hakikusomwa (a book which was not read)
  • kitabu ambacho hakitasomwa (a book which will not be read)

6. Meaning "What"
When no noun is explicitly mentioned, -cho- implies the Class 7 noun kitu (thing). In English, this translates to "what" in statements.

  • Sijui anachotaka. (I don't know what he wants.)

Note: Do not confuse the relative marker -cho- (which) with the object marker -ki- (it). They often appear together: kitabu ninachokisoma (the book which I am reading [it]).

Examples (6)

  1. Kitabu nilichosoma jana ni kizuri.

    The book that I read yesterday is good.

    Word by Word: Book I-past-which-read yesterday is good.

    Here, -cho- refers back to the Class 7 noun 'kitabu'. Because the subject prefix 'ni-' differs from the relative infix '-cho-', this is an object relative.

  2. Kitabu nilichokisoma jana ni kizuri.

    The book that I read [it] yesterday is good.

    Word by Word: Book I-past-which-it-read yesterday is good.

    This demonstrates the relative infix -cho- placed before the object prefix -ki-.

  3. Sijui anachotaka.

    I don't know what he wants.

    Word by Word: I-don't-know he-present-what-want.

    Because there is no explicit noun, -cho- implies 'kitu' (thing), translating to 'what'.

  4. Chakula ambacho kimepikwa ni kitamu.

    The food which has been cooked is delicious.

    Word by Word: Food which it-perfect-be-cooked is delicious.

    Because the verb uses the perfect tense -me-, the relative marker must be attached to amba- instead of being infixed.

  5. Hiki ndicho kitabu kitakachosomwa kesho.

    This is indeed the book that will be read tomorrow.

    Word by Word: This is-which book it-future-which-be-read tomorrow.

    Notice the future tense mutation: -ta- becomes -taka- before the relative infix -cho-.

  6. Hiki ndicho kitabu ambacho kitasomwa kesho.

    This is indeed the book which will be read tomorrow.

    Word by Word: This is-which book which it-future-be-read tomorrow.

    When using the amba- form with the future tense, the verb reverts to the standard -ta- marker instead of -taka-.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the question word 'nini' instead of '-cho-' for statements meaning 'what'.

    Najua nini unataka.
    Najua unachotaka.

    'Nini' is strictly a question word. For statements like 'I know what you want,' use the relative marker -cho- (implying 'the thing that').

  • Forgetting to change -ta- to -taka- in the future tense.

    Kitabu kitachosomwa.
    Kitabu kitakachosomwa.

    When infixing a relative marker in the future tense, the tense marker -ta- must mutate to -taka-.

  • Trying to infix -cho- with the perfect tense -me-.

    Chakula kimechopikwa.
    Chakula ambacho kimepikwa.

    The perfect tense -me- cannot take a relative infix. You must use the standalone word 'ambacho' instead.

How It Connects

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-cho-Level 3Class 7 Relative -cho-

Learn This First

To understand the Class 7 relative marker -cho-, a learner must first be familiar with the KI-VI noun class system and how subject agreement works for those nouns. Additionally, they need to understand the general mechanics of how relative infixes are inserted into the Swahili verb template.

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-cho