-ni-

First-Person Object -ni-

Level 2

In Swahili, when an action happens to "me" or is done for "me", you must use the object marker -ni- inside the verb.

How It Works

The -ni- object marker is an essential building block of Swahili verbs. Here is how to use it correctly to become confident with expressing actions where you are the object (translating to "me"):

1. Placement in the Verb
It always goes immediately before the verb root. In standard affirmative verbs, this follows the Swahili verb-slot order: Subject + Tense + Object + Root + Final Vowel. For example: a-na-ni-on-a (he/she sees me). Regardless of the verb type (such as infinitives or negatives), the object marker must always touch the root.

2. It is Obligatory
For human objects, object marking is mandatory. You cannot simply drop -ni- and use the independent pronoun mimi (me) on its own. While you can add mimi for emphasis (ananiona mimi), the -ni- inside the verb must always be there.

3. Direct and Indirect Objects
It translates to "me" as a direct object (e.g., ananipiga, "she hits me") and as an indirect object (e.g., ananinunulia, "she buys for me"), often used with applicative verbs. Note that -ni- is strictly singular; if the action is directed at "us", you must use the plural First-Person Plural Object -tu- instead.

4. Special Rules

  • Vowel Roots: The -ni- marker is highly stable. It does not change its shape before verbs starting with a vowel (e.g., a-na-ni-ambia becomes ananiambia).
  • Short Verbs: When attaching -ni- to a monosyllabic verb (like kupa), the infinitive ku- drops. For example, "he gives me" is ananipa, not ananikupa. This is a key rule for short verbs with an object marker.
  • Commands (Imperatives): When you attach an object marker to a positive command, the final vowel of verbs ending in -a changes to -e. For example, saidia (help) becomes nisaidie (help me). This is related to the Subjunctive -e. However, verbs ending in -i, -e, or -u do not change their final vowel (e.g., samehe becomes nisamehe). For negative commands, use the Negative Subjunctive (e.g., usinisaidie, "don't help me").
  • Negative Verbs: The object marker remains in the exact same position (right before the root) in negative tenses. For example, ha-ni-oni (he/she does not see me).
  • Reflexive Actions: If you are both the subject and the object, you cannot use -ni-. To say "I see myself", you must use the Reflexive ji- (ninajiona, not ninaniona).

Don't confuse it with:
The first-person subject ni- (which means "I"). Because both are ni-, slot order is the only way to tell them apart: the subject marker comes at the very beginning of the verb, while the object marker comes right before the root (e.g., ni-na-ku-ona means "I see you", whereas a-na-ni-ona means "he/she sees me"). Also do not confuse it with the locative suffix -ni (attached to nouns, meaning "in/at"), or the plural imperative suffix -ni (attached to the end of verbs). Note that you can use both in the same word when asking multiple people to do something to you: ni-saidi-e-ni (you all, help me!).

Examples (6)

  1. Rafiki yangu ananiona.

    My friend sees me.

    Word by Word: Friend my he-present-me-see.

    Here, -ni- acts as the direct object of the verb kuona (to see).

  2. Waliniambia ukweli.

    They told me the truth.

    Word by Word: They-past-me-tell truth.

    Notice how -ni- remains perfectly stable before the vowel-initial verb root -ambia.

  3. Hawanioni gizani.

    They do not see me in the dark.

    Word by Word: They-negative-me-see dark-in.

    In negative verbs, the object marker -ni- remains in its usual position right before the verb root.

  4. Mamangu ananipikia chakula.

    My mother is cooking food for me.

    Word by Word: Mother-my she-present-me-cook-for food.

    Here, -ni- functions as an indirect (benefactive) object with the applicative verb kupikia (to cook for).

  5. Alinipa kitabu.

    He gave me a book.

    Word by Word: He-past-me-give book.

    Because kupa (to give) is a monosyllabic verb, the infinitive 'ku-' is dropped when the object marker -ni- is added.

  6. Nisaidieni kubeba mzigo huu!

    Help me carry this luggage (you all)!

    Word by Word: Me-help-e-you_all to-carry luggage this!

    When giving a command with an object marker, verbs ending in -a change to -e. Here, the object marker -ni- (me) and the plural suffix -ni (you all) are used together.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the object marker and using 'mimi' like an English pronoun.

    Rafiki yangu anaona mimi.
    Rafiki yangu ananiona.

    In Swahili, object markers for humans are grammatically obligatory. You must include -ni- inside the verb. You can add mimi at the end for emphasis (ananiona mimi), but you cannot skip the -ni- prefix.

  • Keeping the 'ku-' on monosyllabic verbs when adding the object marker.

    Simba atanikula.
    Simba atanila.

    When you add an object marker to a monosyllabic verb (like kula, to eat), the infinitive ku- must be dropped. It becomes -nila, not -nikula.

  • Using '-ni-' when you are both the subject and the object (reflexive).

    Ninaniona kwenye kioo.
    Ninajiona kwenye kioo.

    When the subject and object are the same person (e.g., 'I see myself'), you cannot use the object marker -ni-. You must use the Reflexive ji- instead.

How It Connects

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

-ni-Level 2First-Person Object -ni-

Learn This First

To understand the first-person object marker -ni-, you need to know how Swahili verbs are structured and where the object slot is located. You also need to be familiar with the concept of object agreement and the first-person singular pronoun 'mimi'.

Words in This Pattern

-ni-