-ki- (masharti)

Conditional -ki-

Level 2

The -ki- infix is one of the most common markers in Swahili. It is placed between the subject prefix and the verb root to mean "if," "when," or "while." It sets up a condition or a background action.

How It Works

Structure: Subject Prefix + -ki- + (Object Prefix) + Verb Root.

Four Main Uses:

  • If (Open Condition): Used for possible, realistic conditions. You can optionally add kama (if) at the beginning for emphasis. (Kama) ukisoma, utaelewa. (If you read, you will understand.) The main clause following a conditional -ki- typically uses the Future -ta-, Present -na-, Habitual hu-, or an imperative. It is never used for past or counterfactual conditions.
  • When / Whenever: Used for general temporal conditions. Akija, tutaondoka. (When he comes, we will leave.)
  • While / -ing (Simultaneous): Used to show an action happening in the background. Nilimwona akicheza. (I saw him playing / while he was playing.)
  • Continuous Tenses: Used on a main verb following a conjugated form of kuwa (to be) to create past or future continuous tenses. Nilikuwa nikisoma. (I was reading.) Atakuwa akifanya kazi. (He will be working.)

Using with 'To Be' (kuwa): To say "if you are" or "while being," you must use the verb root -wa. For example, ukiwa tayari (if you are ready).

Short Verbs: Monosyllabic verbs (like kula, kuja, kunywa) drop their infinitive ku- prefix when using this pattern in Standard Swahili. For example, "if you eat" is ukila. However, you might hear the ku- retained in colloquial speech (e.g., ukikula).

Negation: You cannot negate -ki- directly. To say "if not" or "unless" (negating the conditional meaning), you must substitute it with the Negative Conditional -sipo-. Note that unlike with -ki-, monosyllabic verbs keep their ku- prefix when using -sipo- (e.g., usipokula, "if you don't eat"). To negate the simultaneous ("while") meaning, you use the Present Negative tense for the subordinate verb (e.g., Nilimwona hachezi - I saw him not playing).

Examples (4)

  1. Ukifika, nipigie simu.

    If/when you arrive, call me.

    Word by Word: You-if-arrive, me-call phone.

    Demonstrates the open condition ('if') or temporal condition ('when').

  2. Tukila, tutashiba.

    If/when we eat, we will be full.

    Word by Word: We-if-eat, we-will-be-full.

    Shows a monosyllabic verb (kula) dropping its ku- prefix to become -la.

  3. Nilimwona akisoma kitabu.

    I saw him reading a book.

    Word by Word: I-past-him-see he-while-read book.

    Demonstrates the simultaneous action meaning ('while' or '-ing'). The past tense is established by the first verb.

  4. Mvua ikinyesha, tutakaa nyumbani.

    If it rains, we will stay home.

    Word by Word: Rain it-if-rain, we-will-stay home.

    A classic conditional sentence using a class 9 subject prefix (i-).

Common Mistakes

  • Trying to negate -ki- directly with a negative subject prefix.

    Hukifika, nitakasirika.
    Usipofika, nitakasirika.

    Standard Swahili has no negative -ki- form. To say 'if you don't' or 'unless', you must use the Negative Conditional -sipo-.

  • Retaining the ku- prefix on short verbs.

    Ukikula, utashiba.
    Ukila, utashiba.

    Monosyllabic verbs (like kula, kuja) must drop their infinitive ku- prefix when attached to the -ki- marker in Standard Swahili.

How It Connects

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-ki- (masharti)Level 2Conditional -ki-

Learn This First

To understand the -ki- conditional, you must first be familiar with the basic Swahili verb template and how subject markers are attached. It is also helpful to understand the simultaneous use of -ki- (e.g., 'doing something'), as the conditional 'if' often overlaps with the 'when' or 'while' meaning in Swahili.

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Words in This Pattern

-ki-