hii / hizi

Class 9 and 10 Near Demonstratives

Level 1

Hii means "this" and hizi means "these" for the N-class (Class 9/10).

How It Works

The N-class (Class 9/10) is the largest noun class in Swahili, containing many everyday objects and loanwords.

To say "this" or "these" for these nouns, you use the near demonstratives:

  • Class 9 (Singular): Noun + hii ("this")
  • Class 10 (Plural): Noun + hizi ("these")

The Invisible Plural:
Most Class 9/10 nouns do not change their form between singular and plural (for example, nyumba means both "house" and "houses"). Because the noun looks exactly the same, the demonstrative (hii vs. hizi) is often the only way to tell if you are talking about one item or multiple items, along with the verb prefixes (i- for singular, zi- for plural) in full sentences. This makes it crucial to become confident with these words!

Word Order:
In standard Swahili, the demonstrative usually follows the noun:
nyumba hii (this house)
nyumba hizi (these houses)

However, you will sometimes hear the demonstrative placed before the noun (e.g., hii nyumba). This is perfectly grammatical and is often used for emphasis or to contrast one item with another ("this house, not that one").

Independent Use:
You can also use hii and hizi on their own as pronouns when the noun is understood from context:
Nataka hii. (I want this one.)

Other Demonstratives:
Note that the exact same pattern applies to other demonstratives: hiyo and hizo ("that" and "those" near the listener), as well as ile and zile ("that" and "those" far away).

Important Note on Animacy:
Even if an animal or person belongs to Class 9/10 (like mbwa "dog" or rafiki "friend"), they take Class 1/2 demonstratives because they are humans and animals. So, "this dog" is mbwa huyu, not mbwa hii.

Agreement Can Carry the Number:
Nyumba nzuri can mean “a good house” or “good houses”; noun and adjective have the same written form in both. Nyumba hii/hizi makes singular/plural visible. Hiyo/hizo can also refer back to a house or houses already mentioned, without saying they are physically near the listener.

Examples (5)

  1. Nyumba hii ni yangu.

    This house is mine.

    Word by Word: House this is mine.

    Class 9 singular noun (nyumba) with hii.

  2. Kamusi hizi zinatumiwa darasani.

    These dictionaries are used in class.

    Word by Word: Dictionaries these are used in class.

    Class 10 plural noun (kamusi) with hizi.

  3. Siku hizi maisha ni ghali.

    These days, life is expensive.

    Word by Word: Days these life is expensive.

    A very common phrase using the plural hizi.

  4. Hii nyumba ni nzuri sana.

    This house is very beautiful.

    Word by Word: This house is beautiful very.

    Placing hii before the noun is grammatical and often adds emphasis.

  5. Sipendi hii, nataka ile.

    I don't like this one, I want that one.

    Word by Word: I don't like this, I want that.

    Hii used independently as a pronoun.

Common Mistakes

  • Using hii/hizi for animals or people in Class 9/10.

    Mbwa hii ni mkali.
    Mbwa huyu ni mkali.

    Animate nouns (people and animals) almost always take Class 1/2 agreement, regardless of their noun class. Use huyu/hawa for them.

  • Confusing Class 9 hii (singular) with Class 4 hii (plural).

    Miti hii ni mrefu.
    Miti hii ni mirefu.

    The word 'hii' is used for both Class 9 singular ("this house") and Class 4 plural ("these trees"). Pay attention to the noun class to know if it means "this" or "these".

How It Connects

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

hii / hiziLevel 1Class 9 and 10 Near Demonstratives

Learn This First

To use 'hii' and 'hizi' correctly, you must first understand the N-class (9/10) noun system, as these demonstratives are specific to those nouns. You also need to be familiar with the general rules of Swahili noun class agreement and the standard word order where demonstratives follow the noun.

Words in This Pattern

hiihizi