kuto-

Negative Infinitive with Kuto-

Level 4

The pattern kuto- is used to create a negative infinitive or a negative verbal noun. It translates to 'not to do something' or 'not doing something'.

How It Works

The negative infinitive is formed by adding -to- after the infinitive ku- prefix. This -to- derives from the verb kutoa (to remove, lack), which helps explain its meaning of "lacking" the action.

1. Regular Verbs (Consonant-initial)
Attach kuto- directly to the verb root.

  • soma (read) → kutosoma (not reading / not to read)
  • fanya (do) → kutofanya (not doing / not to do)

2. Monosyllabic Verbs
Verbs with only one syllable in the root (like la, ja, wa) must keep their original ku- prefix to maintain Swahili's stress rules. You add kuto- before the full infinitive.

  • kula (to eat) → kutokula (not eating)
  • kuja (to come) → kutokuja (not coming)
  • kuwa (to be) → kutokuwa (not being / not to be)
  • kuwa na (to have) → kutokuwa na (not having / not to have)

3. Vowel-initial Verbs
For verbs starting with a vowel, kuto- can be attached directly to the root (e.g., kutoelewa), but it is also widely accepted and common to use kutoku- to avoid awkward vowel combinations.

  • elewa (understand) → kutoelewa or kutokuelewa (not understanding)
  • ona (see) → kutoona or kutokuona (not seeing)

The highly common verbs enda (go) and isha (finish) traditionally retain their infinitive kw- marker (kutokwenda, kutokwisha), though in real-world usage, forms like kutoenda are extremely common.

4. Using Object Markers and Reflexives
When using an object marker or the reflexive ji-, it is placed between kuto- and the verb root.

  • kutokisoma (not to read it)
  • kutomsaidia (not to help him/her)
  • kutojisikia (not to feel [oneself])

For monosyllabic verbs, the extra stress-bearing ku- is dropped because the object marker provides the necessary syllable for stress:

  • kula (to eat) + -m- → kutomla (not to eat him/it)

Usage:
This form acts as a Class 15 noun. It is often used as the subject of a sentence, after verbs of decision, volition, or avoidance such as amua (decide) or epuka (avoid), or in impersonal statements like ni muhimu... (it is important...).

Examples (4)

  1. Kutokula ni kubaya kwa afya yako.

    Not eating is bad for your health.

    Word by Word: Not-eating is bad for health your.

    Demonstrates a monosyllabic verb (kula) retaining its 'ku-' prefix after 'kuto-' to form the subject of the sentence.

  2. Ni muhimu kutofanya makosa.

    It is important not to make mistakes.

    Word by Word: Is important not-to-do mistakes.

    Shows the negative infinitive used in a general, impersonal statement with a regular consonant-initial verb.

  3. Niliamua kutokwenda kwenye sherehe.

    I decided not to go to the party.

    Word by Word: I-past-decide not-to-go to party.

    Shows the negative infinitive used after a verb of decision (amua), with 'enda' retaining its infinitive marker as 'kwenda'.

  4. Kutosoma vitabu kunapunguza maarifa.

    Not reading books reduces knowledge.

    Word by Word: Not-reading books reduces knowledge.

    A regular verb (soma) taking 'kuto-' directly, functioning as a Class 15 subject.

Common Mistakes

  • Dropping the 'ku-' on monosyllabic verbs.

    Kutola ni kubaya.
    Kutokula ni kubaya.

    Monosyllabic verbs like 'la' (eat) or 'ja' (come) must retain their original 'ku-' prefix to maintain the stress on the second-to-last syllable. It must be 'kutokula', not 'kutola'.

  • Adding an extra 'ku-' to regular consonant-initial verbs.

    Ni muhimu kutokusoma.
    Ni muhimu kutosoma.

    While sometimes heard in casual speech, standard Swahili dictates that regular verbs only take 'kuto-' (e.g., kutosoma), not 'kutoku-'.

  • Using a conjugated negative verb instead of a verbal noun as a subject.

    Siwezi kulipa ni tatizo.
    Kutoweza kulipa ni tatizo.

    When 'not doing something' is the subject of the sentence, you must use the negative infinitive (kutoweza), not a finite conjugated verb (siwezi - I cannot).

How It Connects

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kuto-Level 4Negative Infinitive with Kuto-

Learn This First

To understand the negative infinitive 'kutosoma', you first need to be familiar with the standard infinitive 'kusoma' and how it functions both as a verb and a noun in Class 15. You also need to understand the basic verb structure where prefixes are added to the root to change the meaning or polarity of the action.

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kuto-