Object Relative Clauses

Level 3

In Swahili, to say things like "the book that I read" or "the food which she cooked", you insert a relative marker directly into the middle of the verb.

How It Works

The object relative infix attaches strictly inside the verb complex. The rigid order is often taught as the S-T-R-O-V-E formula:

Subject Prefix (The DOER) + Tense + Relative Infix + [Object Marker] (The RECEIVER) + Verb Root + Ending

For example, in alichokisoma (which he read / literal: he-past-which-it-read):

  • a- (Subject / DOER: he)
  • -li- (Tense: past)
  • -cho- (Relative: which, agreeing with a Class 7 noun like kitabu)
  • -ki- (Object Marker / RECEIVER: it)
  • -som- (Verb: read)
  • -a (Ending)

Crucial Rules to Remember:

  • Noun Class Agreement: The Relative Infix (R) changes depending on the noun class of the object. For example, use -ye- for Class 1, -o- for Classes 2, 3, and 11, -yo- for Classes 4, 6, and 9, -lo- for Class 5, -cho- for Class 7, -vyo- for Class 8, and -zo- for Class 10.
  • Tense Restrictions: This infix strategy can ONLY be used with three affirmative tenses: -li- (past), -na- (present), and -taka- (future).
  • The Future Mutation: When using the future tense, the standard -ta- MUST change to -taka- (e.g., atakachosoma, not *atachosoma).
  • Negative Form: To make it negative, replace the tense marker entirely with the negative marker -si- (e.g., asichonunua). Crucially, the subject prefix remains in its affirmative form (use a-, not ha-; so it is asichonunua, never *hasichonunua). Note that this -si- form is tenseless and can mean "which he didn't buy," "doesn't buy," or "won't buy" depending on context. If you need to specify the exact negative tense, you must use the amba- strategy instead (e.g., ambacho hakusoma vs. ambacho hatasoma).
  • Double Marking: Swahili often uses both the relative infix AND an object marker for the same noun (e.g., alichokisoma). This is required by standard grammar for animate objects (Classes 1 and 2) and highly common for definite inanimate objects. For inanimate objects, the object marker is grammatically optional (alichosoma is also correct).
  • Monosyllabic Verbs: Short verbs like kula (to eat) keep their -ku- if there is no object marker (alichokula). However, if you add an object marker, it provides the necessary syllable stress, resulting in dropping the infinitive ku- (alichokila).
  • Locative Relatives: The exact same formula is used with locative relative infixes (-po-, -ko-, -mo-) to mean 'where' or 'when' (e.g., aliposoma - 'when/where he read').

Note: For tenses that don't support the infix (like the perfect -me- or conditional -nge-), you must use the amba- strategy instead. You can also use amba- with affirmative tenses as a simpler alternative. Additionally, you may encounter the General Relative (a tenseless suffix, e.g., asomacho), which is another way to form relative clauses.

Manner Relatives:
Ninaelewa unavyofanya kazi means “I understand how you work.” The relative -vyo- expresses manner, alongside locative -po-, -ko- and -mo-. This manner reference is not an ordinary direct-object marker; identify each slot by its function.

Examples (5)

  1. Kitabu alichokisoma Juma ni ghali.

    The book that Juma read is expensive.

    Word by Word: Book he-past-which-it-read Juma is expensive.

    Class 7 antecedent (kitabu) dictates the -cho- relative infix. It also features the optional -ki- object marker.

  2. Simu anayoipenda iko mezani.

    The phone that he likes is on the table.

    Word by Word: Phone he-present-which-it-like is-located table-on.

    Class 9 antecedent (simu) dictates the -yo- relative infix. The -i- object marker is included for definiteness.

  3. Chakula atakachopika ni kitamu.

    The food that she will cook is delicious.

    Word by Word: Food she-future-which-cook is delicious.

    Demonstrates the future tense mutation from -ta- to -taka-. No object marker is used here, showing it is optional.

  4. Kitabu asichonunua kilipotea.

    The book that he didn't buy got lost.

    Word by Word: Book he-negative-which-buy it-past-get-lost.

    Shows the negative relative using -si- instead of a tense marker. The -cho- infix agrees with the Class 7 noun (kitabu).

  5. Chakula alichokila kilikuwa kizuri.

    The food that he ate was good.

    Word by Word: Food he-past-which-it-eat it-past-be good.

    With the monosyllabic verb 'kula' (to eat), adding the object marker '-ki-' causes the infinitive '-ku-' to drop.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting to change the future tense marker -ta- to -taka-.

    Chakula atachopika ni kitamu.
    Chakula atakachopika ni kitamu.

    When adding a relative infix to a future tense verb, the tense marker -ta- must mutate into -taka-.

  • Using the relative infix with incompatible tenses like the perfect -me-.

    Kitabu amechosoma ni kizuri.
    Kitabu ambacho amesoma ni kizuri.

    The infix strategy is strictly forbidden with the perfect tense -me- and conditional tenses. You must use the amba- strategy instead.

How It Connects

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Object Relative ClausesLevel 3

Learn This First

To understand object relative clauses, you must first be comfortable with how Swahili verbs are constructed using subject markers and tenses. You also need to know the specific 'o-tamba' relative markers for different noun classes, as these markers will agree with the object being described while the verb's subject marker agrees with the person or thing performing the action.

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