-eni
Plural Imperative -eni
The suffix -eni is used to give a direct command to a group of people (you all).
How It Works
The -eni suffix is the standard way to give an affirmative command to two or more people.
How to form it:
- Standard verbs: Replace the final -a with -eni (e.g., soma → someni).
- Arabic loanwords: Keep the final vowel (-e, -i, -u) and just add -ni (e.g., rudi → rudini).
- Short verbs: Keep the ku- prefix and change -a to -eni (e.g., kula → kuleni). However, if you add an object marker, place it immediately before the verb root and drop the ku- prefix (e.g., kula + zi- = zileni).
- Irregular verbs: The verbs kuja (to come) and kwenda (to go) have highly irregular but common plural imperative forms: njooni and nendeni.
- With object markers: Place the object marker immediately before the verb root. For standard verbs, the plural suffix remains -eni (e.g., ni- + ambia = niambieni - tell me). Arabic loanwords keep their original final vowel and add -ni (e.g., ni- + jibu = nijibuni).
Important Notes:
While this is the standard plural counterpart to the Singular Imperative, direct commands can sometimes sound abrupt. For polite requests, native speakers often prefer a Polite Subjunctive Request.
To tell a group not to do something, you cannot use -eni. You must use the Plural Negative Command (e.g., msisome).
Examples (5)
- Someni kitabu hiki!
Read this book! (addressed to multiple people)
Word by Word: Read-you-all book this!
The standard verb 'soma' (read) drops the '-a' and adds '-eni'.
- Kuleni chakula chote.
Eat all the food. (addressed to multiple people)
Word by Word: Eat-you-all food all.
The short verb 'kula' (eat) keeps its 'ku-' prefix and changes '-a' to '-eni'.
- Rudini nyumbani sasa.
Return home now. (addressed to multiple people)
Word by Word: Return-you-all home now.
The Arabic loanword 'rudi' (return) keeps its final '-i' and simply adds '-ni'.
- Njooni hapa!
Come here! (addressed to multiple people)
Word by Word: Come-you-all here!
This is an irregular imperative form based on the singular 'njoo' (come).
- Niambieni ukweli.
Tell me the truth. (addressed to multiple people)
Word by Word: Me-tell-you-all truth.
The object marker '-ni-' (me) is placed immediately before the verb root, and the standard plural suffix '-eni' is used.
Common Mistakes
Using the singular command when addressing a group.
Sikiliza, wanafunzi!Sikilizeni, wanafunzi!When addressing two or more people, you must use the plural imperative suffix '-eni' (or '-ni'), not the bare verb stem.
Trying to make a negative command by keeping the '-eni' suffix.
Sisomeni kitabu.Msisome kitabu.You cannot use '-eni' for negative commands. You must use the negative subjunctive ('msi-' + verb stem ending in '-e').
Changing the final vowel of Arabic loanwords.
Rudeni nyumbani.Rudini nyumbani.Verbs of Arabic origin that end in '-i', '-u', or '-e' do not change their final vowel. Simply add '-ni' to the end.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To form the plural imperative, you must first understand the basic singular imperative form and the concept of the final vowel in Swahili verbs. Additionally, knowing the second-person plural context (nyinyi) helps clarify when this form is used instead of the singular.
Related Patterns
- msi-Plural Negative Command
The required pattern for telling a group of people NOT to do something, as '-eni' is only for affirmative commands.
Level 1 - Polite Subjunctive Request
A softer, more polite alternative to direct '-eni' commands, often preferred by native speakers for requests.
Level 3 - Ku- Retention in Short Verbs
Explains why short verbs like 'kula' and 'kunywa' keep their 'ku-' prefix when forming the plural imperative.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice -eni in Bubblegum
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