-ika
Stative -ika
The stative extension -ika (or -eka) is added to a verb root to show that something is in a certain state (resultative) or has the potential to undergo an action (potential). It completely removes the 'doer' (agent) from the sentence.
How It Works
The stative extension (often called the neuter or potential extension) is a crucial part of Swahili verb extensions. It decreases the valency of the verb, meaning it removes the need for an object and completely suppresses the agent (the person doing the action).
1. Resultative Meaning (State)
This describes a condition resulting from an action. It is most commonly used with the perfect tense -me-.
Kikombe kimevunjika. (The cup is broken / has become broken.)
2. Potential Meaning (Capability)
This describes whether something can or cannot undergo an action. It is frequently used with the present tense -na- or negative present.
Sauti inasikika. (The voice is audible / can be heard.)
Chakula hakipikiki. (The food is uncookable.)
3. Deriving Verbs from Nouns and Adjectives
The -ka extension can also be used to derive stative verbs directly from nouns and adjectives.
shughuli (business/activity) → shughulika (be busy/occupied)
tajiri (rich person) → tajirika (become rich)
Vowel Harmony Rules:
- If the last relevant vowel of the verb root is a, i, or u, replace the final -a with -ika: funga (close) → fungika (be closed/closeable).
- If the last relevant vowel of the verb root is e or o, replace the final -a with -eka: tenda (do) → tendeka (be done/doable).
- Verbs ending in two consecutive vowels usually insert an 'l', becoming -lika or -leka: sahau (forget) → sahaulika (be forgotten/forgettable).
- However, there are highly common exceptions to the two-vowel rule, such as sikia (hear) → sikika (be audible).
- Extensions can also be stacked or lexicalized. For example, the verb ona (see) combines the stative and reciprocal extensions directly to form onekana (be visible/appear).
- For verbs ending in the reversive extensions -ua and -oa, the stative form uses -uka and -oka: fungua (open) → funguka (be open/openable).
- For verbs of Arabic origin ending in -i or -u, the final vowel changes to -ika (ignoring vowel harmony): jibu (answer) → jibika (be answerable). Verbs ending in -e simply add -ka: samehe (forgive) → sameheka (be forgivable).
- Monosyllabic verbs attach the extension directly to the root without the ku- infinitive marker: la (eat) → lika (be edible), nywa (drink) → nyweka (be drinkable).
Crucial Difference from the Passive:
Do not confuse the stative with the passive extension. The passive implies someone did the action (even if unstated) and can take an agent introduced by na (by), whereas the stative focuses purely on the state or potential of the subject itself and cannot take a na agent.
Frequent Whole Verbs:
Patikana means “be available/be found”: Maji yanapatikana hapa (Water is available here). Wezekana means “be possible”: Inawezekana (It is possible). Learn these established longer stems as useful vocabulary as well as recognizing their extensions.
Examples (5)
- Kikombe kimevunjika.
The cup is broken.
Word by Word: Cup it-has-become-broken.
Using the perfect tense (-me-) gives the resultative reading: the cup is currently in a broken state.
- Sauti yako inasikika vizuri.
Your voice is clearly audible.
Word by Word: Voice your it-is-hearable well.
Using the present tense (-na-) gives the potential reading: the voice has the capability of being heard.
- Mlango huu haufungiki.
This door cannot be closed.
Word by Word: Door this it-not-closeable.
The negative present tense shows a lack of potential: the door is uncloseable.
- Kazi hii inafanyika.
This work is doable.
Word by Word: Work this it-is-doable.
The root 'fanya' takes '-ika' (fanyika) due to the root vowel 'a', showing potential.
- Jina lake limesahaulika.
His name is forgotten.
Word by Word: Name his it-has-become-forgotten.
The verb 'sahau' ends in two consecutive vowels, so it takes '-lika' (sahaulika) to resolve the hiatus.
Common Mistakes
Adding an agent using 'na' (by) with a stative verb.
Kikombe kimevunjika na Juma.Kikombe kimevunjwa na Juma.The stative extension completely removes the 'doer' of the action. If you want to say who did it (by Juma), you must use the passive extension (-wa) instead.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the stative -ika extension, you need to be familiar with the Swahili verb template and how extensions are added to roots. Additionally, because this pattern often describes the state resulting from an action, knowing the perfect tense (-me-) is crucial for practical usage.
- Verb Extensions
The stative -ika is a specific type of verb extension, so understanding the general concept of how Swahili verbs are modified by suffixes is essential.
Foundations - -me-Perfect -me-
The stative extension is most frequently used with the -me- perfect tense to describe a resulting state (e.g., 'it has become closed').
Level 1
Related Patterns
- -waPassive -wa
The passive extension is often confused with the stative. The passive implies an agent performed the action, while the stative focuses purely on the resulting state or potential.
Level 2 - Stative and Passive Contrast
This pattern directly contrasts the stative and passive extensions, highlighting when to use which based on whether an agent is implied.
Level 4 - Stative as Can Be
Explores the 'capability' meaning of the stative extension in more depth, often used with present or negative tenses.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice -ika in Bubblegum
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