ndimo

That Is Inside

Level 4

Ndimo is an emphatic locative copula used to strongly emphasize that an action happens or something exists specifically inside a contained space.

How It Works

Ndimo is used in cleft (focus) sentences to draw attention to an interior location. It distinguishes an inside space from a general location or a specific surface point.

Key Rules for Ndimo:

  • Meaning: It translates to "that is inside," "it is in there that," or "indeed inside."
  • Agreement: It must refer back to a Class 18 locative concept (like a noun ending in -ni with mu- agreement, or demonstratives like humu or mle).
  • Verb Concord: When followed by a relative clause, the matching Class 18 relative infix -mo- is typically used. This can attach directly to the verb (e.g., ndimo alimoingia - it is in there that he entered) or to the relative pronoun amba- (e.g., ndimo ambamo aliingia). Ndimo can also be followed by non-relative locative copulas like mna (e.g., humu ndimo mna chakula - in here is indeed where there is food).
  • Standalone Word: It is a complete copula (a "to be" word). You do not need to add ni before it. It frequently functions as a standalone emphatic answer to a question without needing a relative verb attached to it (e.g., Q: Kabatini ndimo alimoweka chakula? -> A: Ndiyo, ndimo.).
  • Negative Form: The negative counterpart to ndimo is simo (it is not in there). Note that simo is also the first-person singular negative locative verb meaning 'I am not inside' or idiomatically 'I am not involved / count me out' (si- + -mo).

Contrast with other locatives:

  • Ndimo: Inside (Class 18).
  • Ndipo: Right at/on a specific place or time (Class 16).
  • Ndiko: Around a general area or direction (Class 17).

Examples (4)

  1. Sanduku hili ndimo tulimoweka barua jana usiku.

    This box is where (inside) we put the letter last night.

    Word by Word: Box this it-is-inside we-inside-put letter yesterday night.

    Notice how the verb tulimoweka includes the -mo- infix to agree with ndimo.

  2. Humu ndimo walimowekwa wafungwa.

    In here is exactly where the prisoners were kept.

    Word by Word: In-here it-is-inside they-inside-were-put prisoners.

    Humu (in here) pairs with ndimo for double emphasis on the interior space.

  3. Nyumbani mwangu ndimo anamoishi.

    Inside my house is indeed where he lives.

    Word by Word: House-at in-my it-is-inside he-inside-lives.

    The possessive mwangu establishes the Class 18 (inside) context, requiring ndimo and the verb infix -mo-.

  4. Kabatini ndimo nilimokuta funguo.

    Inside the cupboard is where I found the keys.

    Word by Word: Cupboard-in it-is-inside I-inside-found keys.

    Emphasizes that the keys were specifically inside the cupboard, not just near it.

Common Mistakes

  • Dropping the matching locative relative marker (-mo-) on the verb.

    Humu ndimo tuliweka vitabu.
    Humu ndimo tulimoweka vitabu.

    Because ndimo establishes a Class 18 focus, the following verb must carry the matching relative infix -mo- to complete the grammatical agreement.

  • Adding an extra copula (ni) before ndimo.

    Humu ni ndimo anamoishi.
    Humu ndimo anamoishi.

    Ndimo already contains the copula meaning ("it is indeed inside"). Adding ni is redundant and grammatically incorrect.

  • Confusing ndimo with ndipo or ndiko.

    Mezani ndimo alipoweka kitabu.
    Mezani ndipo alipoweka kitabu.

    Use ndimo only for interior spaces (inside). For a surface like a table (mezani), use ndipo (Class 16).

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

ndimoLevel 4That Is Inside

Learn This First

Ndimo is an emphatic locative copula used to identify that something is specifically 'inside' a place. To understand it, a learner needs to be familiar with the interior locative class (Class 18/mu-), the 'ndi-' emphatic prefix used for identification, and how the referential particle '-mo' functions to point to an interior space.

Words in This Pattern

ndimondi-