usi-
Singular Negative Command
To tell one person not to do something in Swahili, use the usi- pattern. It translates directly to 'Do not [verb]!'
How It Works
While often called the negative imperative, this pattern is actually the second-person singular form of the negative subjunctive used as a command. It is the standard, everyday way to tell someone not to do something.
Key Rules for Forming the Command:
- Regular Verbs (ending in -a): Change the final -a to -e.
fanya (do) → usifanye (don't do) - Arabic Loanwords (ending in -e, -i, or -u): The final vowel does not change.
sahau (forget) → usisahau (don't forget) - Monosyllabic Verbs: Drop the infinitive ku- prefix.
kula (to eat) → usile (don't eat)
Special Cases:
- Irregular Commands: Verbs with irregular positive commands have regular negative commands. kuja (come) is njoo (come!) but usije (don't come). kwenda (go) is nenda (go!) but usiende (don't go, dropping the kw-).
- To Be / To Have: The verb kuwa becomes usiwe (don't be) and usiwe na (don't have).
If you need to include an object marker, it goes immediately before the verb root (e.g., usimwambie = do not tell him). To make the command softer or more polite, you can add tafadhali (please). Note that to command multiple people, the prefix changes to msi- (made of the plural subject m- plus the negative -si-), forming the plural negative command.
Other Subjects:
Change the subject prefix to change the addressee or proposed actor: tusisome (let us not read), asisome (let him/her not read). The -si- negation and final -e remain; usi- itself is specifically for one “you.”
Examples (5)
- Usifanye hivyo!
Do not do that!
Word by Word: You-not-do that!
The regular verb 'fanya' changes its final '-a' to '-e'.
- Tafadhali usisahau kurejesha ufunguo.
Please do not forget to return the key.
Word by Word: Please you-not-forget to-return key.
The Arabic loanword 'sahau' keeps its final '-u'.
- Usile chakula hiki.
Do not eat this food.
Word by Word: You-not-eat food this.
The monosyllabic verb 'kula' drops its 'ku-' prefix to become 'usile'.
- Usimwambie.
Do not tell him.
Word by Word: You-not-him-tell.
An object marker (-mw-) can be inserted right before the verb root.
- Usiende sasa.
Do not go now.
Word by Word: You-not-go now.
The verb 'kwenda' drops the 'kw-' prefix to become 'usiende'.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting to change the final '-a' to '-e' on regular verbs.
Usifanya hivyo!Usifanye hivyo!Because this pattern is based on the subjunctive mood, regular Bantu verbs must end in '-e', not '-a'.
Keeping the 'ku-' prefix on monosyllabic verbs.
Usikule chakula.Usile chakula.Unlike some other tenses, standard Swahili grammar strictly requires dropping the infinitive 'ku-' prefix for short verbs in this pattern.
Using 'usi-' when addressing more than one person.
Watoto, usikimbie!Watoto, msikimbie!The 'usi-' pattern is strictly for addressing one person. If you are talking to multiple people, you must use the plural form 'msi-'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To form the singular negative command, you need to understand the second-person singular subject marker 'u-', how the final vowel of a verb changes in different moods (specifically the subjunctive), and the basic concept of giving commands to a single individual.
- u-Second-Person Singular Subject U-
The 'u-' in 'usi-' is the second-person singular subject marker, which is necessary to identify who the command is directed toward.
Level 1 - Singular Imperative
Understanding how to give a positive command to one person provides the functional context for learning the negative equivalent.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- msi-Plural Negative Command
This is the plural equivalent used when telling two or more people not to do something.
Level 1 - -si-Negative Subjunctive
The 'usi-' command is actually just a specific application of the negative subjunctive mood.
Level 3 - hu- (ukanushi)You Do Not Hu-
Learners often confuse the command 'usifanye' (do not do!) with the statement 'hufanyi' (you do not do).
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice usi- in Bubblegum
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