-ngali- (bado)

Still -ngali-

Level 3

The pattern -ngali is a formal auxiliary verb used to express that an action or state is still ongoing.

How It Works

The persistive -ngali is a formal, literary alternative to the common adverb bado (still). While bado never changes its form, -ngali must agree with the subject by taking standard subject prefixes (such as ni-, u-, a-, tu-, m-, wa-, ki-, vi-, etc.) attached directly to the front of it, just like a regular verb. This includes inanimate noun classes (e.g., chakula kingali moto - the food is still hot).

1. Structure and Complements
Because it is an auxiliary verb, -ngali usually cannot stand alone. It is typically followed by a complement:

  • With a verb: The following verb is usually in the present continuous (-na-), situational (-ki-), or perfect (-me-) tense. Example: angali anasoma (he is still reading).
  • With a noun/adjective: Example: angali mgonjwa (he is still sick).
  • With possession: To say someone 'still has' something, use the present tense of 'to have' (-na). Example: angali ana pesa (he still has money).

2. Locative Enclitics
You can attach locative suffixes (-po, -ko, -mo) directly to -ngali to indicate someone or something is "still at a place." When used this way, it functions as a complete predicate and does not need a following complement. Example: angalipo (he is still here).

3. The Big Confusion: Auxiliary vs. Infix
Do not confuse the auxiliary -ngali ("still") with the past counterfactual -ngali- ("would have").

  • Auxiliary (Still): Stands as its own word. Ningali ninasoma. (I am still reading.)
  • Infix (Would have): Sits inside a single verb. Ningalisoma. (I would have read.)

4. Negative Nuance
While bado and -ngali are similar in affirmative sentences, they differ slightly in the negative. -Ngali with a negative verb emphasizes a continuing negative state (ningali silali = I am still not sleeping). It can also pair with the Not Yet Perfect -ja- tense (ningali sijalala = I still haven't slept).

5. Combining with Bado
It is very common in spoken and written Swahili to use bado and -ngali together for emphasis (e.g., bado angali anasoma = he is still reading).

Examples (6)

  1. Mwalimu angali mgonjwa.

    The teacher is still sick.

    Word by Word: Teacher he-is-still sick.

    Here, -ngali takes the Class 1 subject prefix a- and is followed by an adjective complement.

  2. Habibu angali anasoma darasani.

    Habibu is still studying in the classroom.

    Word by Word: Habibu he-is-still he-is-reading in-classroom.

    The auxiliary angali is followed by a fully conjugated main verb in the present tense (anasoma).

  3. Wanafunzi wangalipo shuleni.

    The students are still at school.

    Word by Word: Students they-are-still-here at-school.

    The locative enclitic -po is attached directly to wangali to mean 'still here/at this place', acting as a complete predicate.

  4. Chakula kingali moto.

    The food is still hot.

    Word by Word: Food it-is-still hot.

    This shows -ngali taking an inanimate subject prefix (ki- for Class 7) to agree with the noun chakula.

  5. Kampuni ingali ina matatizo.

    The company still has problems.

    Word by Word: Company it-is-still it-has problems.

    To express 'still has', -ngali is followed by the present tense of 'to have' (ina). This also demonstrates Class 9 inanimate agreement (i-).

  6. Ningali sijalala.

    I still haven't slept.

    Word by Word: I-am-still I-not-yet-sleep.

    Using -ngali with the -ja- (not yet) tense emphasizes that the state of not having slept is continuing.

Common Mistakes

  • Using -ngali as a tense infix attached directly to the verb root.

    Different MeaningNingalisoma kitabu.
    Ningali ninasoma kitabu.

    To mean 'still', -ngali must be an independent auxiliary word followed by a fully conjugated verb. If you place -ngali- inside a single verb word (Ningalisoma), it changes the meaning entirely to the past conditional: 'I would have read'.

  • Assuming bado and -ngali mean the exact same thing with negative verbs.

    Bado silali.
    Ningali silali.

    If you want to say 'I am still not sleeping', use -ngali. Using 'bado' with a negative verb usually translates to 'not yet'. Note that -ngali can also be paired with the -ja- tense (e.g., ningali sijalala) to mean 'I still haven't slept'.

How It Connects

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-ngali- (bado)Level 3Still -ngali-

Learn This First

To use the -ngali- marker, you must be comfortable with the standard Swahili verb structure, specifically how to attach subject markers to a verb root. It is also helpful to understand the common way of expressing 'still' using 'bado' to appreciate the formal nuance of -ngali-.

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ngali