u-

In Swahili, verbs are built by combining different word parts. To say "you" (singular) are doing something, you attach u- to the Subject slot of the verb complex, following the standard Verb Slot Order (Pre-prefix - Subject - Tense - Relative - Object - Root - Derivational Extensions - Final Vowel).

For example: u- (you) + -na- (present) + soma (read) = unasoma (you are reading). If you are talking to multiple people, you use the Second-Person Plural Subject m- instead (e.g., mnasoma - you all are reading).

Important Rules:

• The Listener Being Addressed: The prefix u- means "you" when speaking directly to someone (or a personified animal or object in stories). Note that Swahili also uses u- as an "it" subject marker for inanimate nouns in certain classes (specifically Class 3 in Class 3 and 4 Subject Agreement, while Class 4 uses i-, and Class 11/14 in Class 11 and 14 Subject Agreement).
• No need for 'wewe': Because Swahili uses Omitted Subject Pronouns, u- is entirely sufficient. You only use the independent pronoun wewe for contrast or emphasis.
• Negative form: In indicative tenses, to say "you do not," the negative prefix ha- merges with u- to become hu-. In the present tense, the present tense marker -na- is dropped entirely, and for verbs ending in -a, the final vowel changes to -i (e.g., husomi - you do not read). However, verbs ending in -e, -i, or -u (often due to Borrowed Verb Endings) do not change their final vowel (e.g., hujibu - you do not answer). For past and perfect tenses, the tense markers change: the past tense marker -li- becomes Past Negative -ku- (e.g., hukusoma - you did not read), and the perfect tense marker -me- becomes Not Yet Perfect -ja- (e.g., hujasoma - you have not read). In future negative tenses, the future tense marker -ta- remains unchanged and the final vowel remains -a (e.g., hutasoma - you will not read). Note that for inanimate noun classes using the u- prefix (Classes 3, 11, and 14), the negative prefix does not merge and remains hau- to prevent confusion with "you" (e.g., mti hauanguki - the tree does not fall). Do not confuse this with the Habitual hu- tense. While the negative hu- contains the subject prefix (merged from ha- + u-), the habitual hu- replaces the subject prefix entirely for all subjects and keeps the final -a (e.g., husoma - usually reads). In subjunctive or conditional moods, the negative marker is -si- and the u- prefix remains intact (e.g., usisome - you should not read).
• Monosyllabic Verbs: Short verbs like kula (to eat) keep the infinitive ku- in the affirmative present due to Ku- Retention in Short Verbs (e.g., unakula - you are eating) but drop it in the negative present (e.g., huli - you do not eat) as seen in Negative Monosyllabic Verbs.
• The -a- Tense Merger: When the u- prefix combines with the present indefinite -a- tense marker, they merge to become wa- (e.g., u- + -a- + soma = wasoma - you read).
• Relative Marker Pairing: When forming relative clauses, the second-person u- subject prefix pairs with the Class 1 Relative -ye- (e.g., wewe unayesoma - you who are reading). In contrast, inanimate noun classes (Classes 3, 11, and 14) that use the u- subject prefix take the Class 3 Relative -o- or Class 11 and 14 Relative -o- (e.g., mti unaoanguka - the tree that is falling).
• Subjunctive Mood: When giving polite commands or suggestions using the Subjunctive -e, the tense marker is dropped entirely and the final vowel changes to -e (e.g., usome - you should read).
• Subject vs. Object: u- is only used when "you" are doing the action. If the action is being done TO you, Swahili uses the Second-Person Object -ku- instead.