-i- (ngeli ya 9)

Class 9 Object -i-

Level 3

The infix -i- translates to 'it' for singular Class 9 nouns (like nyumba, kalamu, or ripoti).

How It Works

The object marker -i- translates to 'it' when referring to a singular noun in Class 9 (the N-class), such as kalamu (pen), nyumba (house), or ripoti (report).

Where does it go?
Like all object markers, it is placed immediately before the verb root, following the Swahili verb-slot order:

  • ni-li-i-ona (I saw it)
  • a-na-i-soma (He/she is reading it)

When do you use it?
While animate object markers are strictly required for all animate objects in Swahili, inanimate object markers like -i- are syntactically optional. You use them to:
1. Refer back to a previously mentioned Class 9 noun.
2. Emphasize a specific, definite object (e.g., 'I am reading the report').
3. Act as a resumptive pronoun inside a relative clause to track the definite object (e.g., ripoti nili-yo-i-soma, 'the report that I read').

Important Rules:

  • Before Vowels: The marker -i- generally remains unchanged before vowel-initial verb roots (e.g., a-li-i-andika → aliiandika). Unlike the Class 9 possessive concord y- in yangu, the object marker -i- never becomes -y-.
  • Animacy Override: Animals in Class 9 (like mbwa or paka) must take the Class 1 animate object marker -m- (which becomes -mw- before vowel-initial verbs), not -i-. Note that plural animals (Class 10) take the Class 2 animate object marker -wa- (e.g., niliwaona mbwa, 'I saw the dogs').
  • Don't confuse with Class 4: The Class 4 object marker is also -i-, but it means 'them' (plural for Class 3 nouns like miti).
  • Singular vs. Plural: Because Class 9 and 10 nouns often look identical, the object marker shows the number. Use -i- for singular (Class 9) and the Class 10 object marker -zi- for plural. For example: Nili-i-soma ripoti (I read the report) vs. Nili-zi-soma ripoti (I read the reports).
  • Imperative Final Vowel: When adding an object marker to a command (for verbs ending in -a), the final vowel changes to -e (e.g., Soma ripoti! → I-som-e!). Negative commands also end in -e but require the negative subject prefix (e.g., Usiisome! - 'Don't read it!').
  • Monosyllabic Verbs: When an object marker is added to a short verb, the infinitive ku- is dropped because the object marker provides the necessary syllable for stress (e.g., Nilikula → Nili-i-la).

Examples (4)

  1. Kalamu yangu iko wapi? Niliiona mezani.

    Where is my pen? I saw it on the table.

    Word by Word: Pen my is where? I-past-it-see table-on.

    The marker -i- refers back to 'kalamu' (pen), a Class 9 noun.

  2. Ripoti uliyoiandika jana ni nzuri.

    The report that you wrote yesterday is good.

    Word by Word: Report you-past-which-it-write yesterday is good.

    In relative clauses, the object marker is frequently used alongside the relative marker (-yo-) to track the definite object.

  3. Ninanunua sabuni sokoni. Ninainunua sasa.

    I am buying soap at the market. I am buying it now.

    Word by Word: I-present-buy soap market-at. I-present-it-buy now.

    The first sentence introduces the object (sabuni). The second sentence uses -i- to mean 'it'.

  4. Aliileta barua asubuhi.

    He brought the letter in the morning.

    Word by Word: He-past-it-bring letter morning.

    Using the object marker with the noun present emphasizes that it is a specific, definite letter ('the letter', not just 'a letter').

Common Mistakes

  • Using -i- for animals that belong to Class 9.

    Niliona mbwa. Niliiona.
    Niliona mbwa. Nilimwona.

    Because animals are animate, Swahili syntax requires them to take Class 1/2 animate concords. You must use the animate object marker -m- for a singular animal, even if the noun belongs to Class 9. Note that -m- becomes -mw- before vowel-initial verbs like -ona.

  • Using -i- for plural Class 10 objects.

    Ninazo kalamu mbili. Ninainunua.
    Ninazo kalamu mbili. Ninazinunua.

    Because Class 9 (singular) and Class 10 (plural) nouns usually look identical, learners mistakenly use -i- for plural objects. You must use the Class 10 object marker -zi- for plural objects.

How It Connects

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

-i- (ngeli ya 9)Level 3Class 9 Object -i-

Learn This First

To use the Class 9 object marker, you need to be familiar with the N-class nouns it represents, the general concept of object markers in Swahili, and the specific position within the verb template where these markers are placed.

Words in This Pattern

-i-