i- / zi-

Class 9 and 10 Subject Agreement

Level 2

Use i- for one thing and zi- for multiple things when talking about inanimate objects in Classes 9 and 10.

How It Works

When using inanimate nouns from Classes 9 and 10, you must link them to the verb using the subject markers i- (singular) and zi- (plural).

How to attach them:

  • Affirmative verbs: Place them at the very beginning of the verb, before the tense marker (e.g., nyumba imejengwa - the house has been built). Note that in the Habitual hu- tense, subject markers are dropped entirely (e.g., kompyuta hufanya kazi - computers work).
  • Negative verbs: They combine with the negative prefix ha- to become hai- and hazi- (e.g., kompyuta haifanyi kazi - the computer doesn't work).
  • Having/Being: Attach them directly to -na to mean 'it has' or 'they have' (ina / zina).

Important Rules & Tips:

  • Loanwords: Many modern loanwords (like kompyuta, ofisi, or kadi) belong to these classes even though they don't start with an 'N-' prefix. They still strictly trigger i- and zi- agreement.
  • Animate Nouns: Because of the Human Agreement Across Classes rule, humans and animals (animate nouns) in Class 9/10 (like simba 'lion' or rafiki 'friend') generally use Class 1/2 markers (a-/wa-). While standard Swahili requires a-/wa- for live animals, i-/zi- may appear when referring to dead animals/meat or in some colloquial speech.
  • Object Markers: The Class 9 Object -i- and Class 10 Object -zi- are identical to these subject markers.
  • Possessives: Don't confuse verb markers with possessive prefixes! While verbs use i-/zi-, possessives use y-/z- (e.g., kompyuta yangu imefika - my computer has arrived).
  • Adjectives: Do not use i- and zi- on adjectives! Adjectives take the N- prefix (or its phonetic variants) according to N-Class Adjective Agreement (e.g., kompyuta nzuri, not izuri). Additionally, relative markers for these classes are -yo- and -zo-.

Examples (4)

  1. Nyumba mpya imejengwa.

    A new house has been built.

    Word by Word: House new it-has-been-built.

    The singular Class 9 noun 'nyumba' takes the subject marker 'i-' before the perfect tense marker '-me-'.

  2. Kadi hizi zina picha ya Asha.

    These cards have a picture of Asha.

    Word by Word: Cards these they-have picture of Asha.

    The plural Class 10 noun 'kadi' takes 'zi-' attached to '-na' to mean 'they have'.

  3. Chai ikikosekana, tutakunywa kahawa.

    If tea is unavailable, we will drink coffee.

    Word by Word: Tea it-if-is-missing, we-will-drink coffee.

    The Class 9 noun 'chai' uses 'i-' with the conditional marker '-ki-'.

  4. Kompyuta haifanyi kazi.

    The computer is not working.

    Word by Word: Computer negative-it-does work.

    In the negative, 'ha-' + 'i-' combines to form 'hai-'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using i-/zi- for animals or people that belong to Class 9/10.

    Simba imelala.
    Simba amelala.

    In Standard Swahili, living beings (humans and animals) normally take Class 1/2 subject markers (a-/wa-), regardless of their noun class. Using i-/zi- for a lion or a dog is heard in some informal speech but is not standard.

  • Attaching i-/zi- to adjectives instead of verbs.

    Nyumba izuri.
    Nyumba nzuri.

    The prefixes i- and zi- are strictly for verbs (and words like -na or locatives). Adjectives for Class 9/10 use a nasal prefix (n-/ny-/m-) or no prefix at all.

How It Connects

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i- / zi-Level 2Class 9 and 10 Subject Agreement

Learn This First

To learn Class 9 and 10 subject agreement, you first need to recognize nouns in this class (which often don't change between singular and plural) and understand the general Swahili system of prefixing verbs with subject markers.

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Words in This Pattern

i-zi-