Relative Tense Restrictions

Level 4

Swahili has a compact, elegant way to form relative clauses ("who," "which," "that") directly inside the verb, but it is strictly limited to four specific tenses.

How It Works

The infixal relative (or verb-internal relative) is highly frequent and characteristic of fluent, idiomatic Swahili. The structure is: Subject Prefix + Tense + Relative Infix + (Object Prefix) + Verb Root.

The relative infix must agree with the noun class of the head noun. For most classes, this is formed using the -o of reference rule: you take the subject prefix and change its final vowel to -o (e.g., i- + o = -yo-, ki- + o = -cho-). Note that Class 1 uses -ye-, while Classes 2, 3, 11, and 14 simplify to -o-, and Class 6 simplifies to -yo-. This system also includes the time and place relative markers: -po- (when/specific place), -ko- (general place), and -mo- (inside).

When forming an object relative clause, the relative infix agrees with the object, but the Subject Prefix still agrees with the doer of the action. Additionally, it is highly common to include an Object Prefix in these clauses to show definiteness, and it is strictly obligatory if the object is animate/human (e.g., mtu niliyemwona "the person who I saw"), following the general Swahili rule for Animate Object Marking.

You must memorize the strict restrictions for this pattern. It only works with three specific tenses and one tenseless negative marker:

  • Present (-na-): a-na-ye-soma (who is reading)
  • Past (-li-): a-li-ye-soma (who read)
  • Future (-taka-): a-taka-ye-soma (who will read). Note that the standard -ta- marker must change to -taka-. This is purely a grammatical shift and does not mean "want"!
  • Tenseless Negative (-si-): a-si-ye-soma (who does not / did not / will not read). The marker -si- occupies the tense slot, making the verb tenseless. The specific time is inferred from the context of the sentence.

Monosyllabic Verbs:
When using these relative infixes, short verbs must keep their infinitive ku- prefix (e.g., a-na-ye-kula "who is eating", not *anayela). See Ku- Retention in Short Verbs. However, if you include an object prefix, the ku- is dropped (e.g., a-na-ye-ki-la "who is eating it", not *anayekikula). See Short Verbs with an Object Marker.

What about other tenses and specific negatives?
For tenses like the perfect -me-, the conditional -nge-, or specific negative tenses (like the past negative -ku- or future negative -ta-), you cannot use an infix. You must use the amba- strategy instead (e.g., ambaye amesoma, ambaye hakusoma).

Note that this tensed infixal pattern is distinct from the tenseless general relative (e.g., asomaye), which attaches the relative marker at the end of the verb without a tense marker.

While amba- is perfectly standard and mandatory for restricted tenses, using the infixal relative for the allowed tenses is often preferred by native speakers for its conciseness.

Examples (6)

  1. Mtu anayekuja ni mwalimu.

    The person who is coming is a teacher.

    Word by Word: Person they-present-who-come is teacher.

    The relative infix -ye- attaches directly to the present tense marker -na-. Notice that the monosyllabic verb kuja retains its ku- prefix.

  2. Kitabu nilichokisoma kimepotea.

    The book that I read is lost.

    Word by Word: Book I-past-which-it-read it-perfect-get_lost.

    The relative infix -cho- agrees with the object (kitabu), while the subject prefix ni- agrees with the doer (I). The object prefix -ki- is included to show definiteness.

  3. Mwalimu niliyemwona jana amesafiri.

    The teacher whom I saw yesterday has traveled.

    Word by Word: Teacher I-past-whom-him-see yesterday they-perfect-travel.

    In an object relative clause with an animate/human object, including the object prefix (-mw-) is strictly obligatory.

  4. Mahali tulipokwenda ni pazuri.

    The place where we went is beautiful.

    Word by Word: Place we-past-where-go is beautiful.

    The relative infix -po- is used to refer to a specific place or time.

  5. Chakula watakachokula ni kitamu.

    The food that they will eat is delicious.

    Word by Word: Food they-future-which-eat is delicious.

    For the future tense, the marker -ta- must change to -taka- before the relative infix -cho-. The monosyllabic verb kula keeps its ku- prefix.

  6. Wanafunzi wasiosoma watafeli mtihani.

    The students who do not (or will not) read will fail the exam.

    Word by Word: Students they-negative-who-read they-future-fail exam.

    The negative relative uses the special marker -si-. Because -si- is tenseless, the future time is inferred from the main verb (watafeli).

Common Mistakes

  • Forcing a relative infix into restricted tenses like the perfect -me-.

    Mgeni ameyefika.
    Mgeni ambaye amefika.

    The infixal relative cannot be used with the perfect tense -me-. You must use the amba- strategy instead.

  • Dropping the ku- prefix on monosyllabic verbs when using a relative infix, and mismatching the noun class agreement.

    Chakula anachola.
    Chakula anachokula.

    Monosyllabic verbs (like kula, kuja, kunywa) must retain their infinitive ku- prefix when combined with a tensed relative infix. Additionally, ensure the relative infix matches the noun class of the object (e.g., -cho- for chakula).

  • Trying to attach a relative infix to specific negative tense markers.

    Mtu hakuyekuja.
    Mtu ambaye hakuja.

    You cannot attach a relative infix to the negative tense markers, such as -ku- (past). Use the amba- strategy (ambaye hakuja) or the tenseless negative relative with -si- (asiyekuja).

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Relative Tense RestrictionsLevel 4

Learn This First

To understand relative tense restrictions, you must first be familiar with how relative markers (the -o- of reference) are infixed into verbs. You also need to understand the standard tense markers like -na- (present), -li- (past), and -taka- (future), as these are the only tenses that allow the infixal relative. Finally, you should know the amba- relative strategy, which is the required alternative for tenses that cannot take an infixal relative.

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Words in This Pattern

-na-