-po- / -ko- / -mo-
Locative Relatives
The locative relative markers -po-, -ko-, and -mo- link a clause to a location, translating to "where" (or "in/at which"). Crucially, -po- is also the standard marker for "when" (time).
How It Works
Locative relatives are essential for saying "where" or "when" something happens. There are three main ways to use them:
1. As an Infix (Tensed Relative)
The marker goes exactly between the tense marker and the object marker (or verb root if there is no object marker). The slot order is: Subject + Tense + Relative Infix + (Object Marker) + Verb Root. For example, ni-li-po-fika (when I arrived) or ni-li-po-mw-ona (when I saw him). This only works with specific tenses: -li- (past), -na- (present), -taka- (future), and -si- (negative).
2. With amba-
The marker attaches to amba- (e.g., ambapo, ambako, ambamo). The following verb uses normal tense markers. This is required for tenses that don't allow infixes, like the perfect tense -me-.
3. As a Suffix (Tenseless Relative)
Attached directly to the end of a verb root with no tense marker (e.g., nifikapo). This implies a habitual action ("whenever/wherever I arrive").
Important Note: Do not confuse these with locative copulas (like nipo, "I am here"). Relative markers are embedded inside a verb or amba- to link clauses.
Examples (4)
- Alipofika nyumbani, nilikuwa ninasoma.
When he arrived home, I was reading.
Word by Word: He-past-when-arrive home, I-was I-present-read.
Here, -po- is used as a temporal relative marker meaning "when".
- Sijui anakoenda.
I don't know where he is going.
Word by Word: I-not-know he-present-where-go.
-ko- indicates a general direction or location ("where").
- Hili ni sanduku ambamo niliweka vitabu.
This is the box inside which I put the books.
Word by Word: This is box inside-which I-past-put books.
-mo- attaches to amba- to specify an interior location ("inside which").
- Mahali anapoishi ni pazuri.
The place where he lives is nice.
Word by Word: Place he-present-where-live is nice.
-po- refers to a specific, definite location.
Common Mistakes
Using the perfect tense -me- with a relative infix.
Mahali nimepoenda.Mahali ambapo nimeenda.The perfect tense marker -me- cannot take a relative infix. You must use the amba- strategy instead.
Forgetting to change the future tense -ta- to -taka-.
Nitapoenda nyumbani.Nitakapoenda nyumbani.When using a relative infix with the future tense, -ta- must change to -taka-.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn locative relatives, you must first understand the general system of relative infixes (-o- markers) and how they are placed within the Swahili verb. Additionally, you need a firm grasp of the three locative classes (16, 17, and 18) and their respective markers (pa, ku, mu), as these provide the semantic basis for 'where' (definite), 'around where' (general), and 'inside where' (interior).
- -o-Infixal Relative -o-
Locative relatives use the same infixal relative construction as other noun classes, requiring knowledge of how to insert the relative marker into the verb template.
Level 3 - pa- / ku- / mu-Locative Subject Agreement
Understanding how locative markers function as grammatical subjects is essential for using them as relative markers within a verb.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- Locative Classes
The locative relative markers are derived directly from these locative noun classes.
Foundations - amba-Relative Clauses with Amba-
The amba- strategy is an alternative way to form relative clauses, required for certain tenses.
Level 3 - -po-When with -po-
Focuses specifically on the use of -po- for time ("when"), which is one of its most common functions.
Level 3 - -taka-Future Relative -taka-
Explains the required tense change from -ta- to -taka- when using relative infixes in the future tense.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice -po- / -ko- / -mo- in Bubblegum
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