ndiko
That Is the General Place
Ndiko is an emphatic locative copula used to point out a general area, a distant place, or a direction of motion. It translates to "that is where" or "it is there that."
How It Works
Ndiko is used in cleft sentences to put focus on a general location/direction or an infinitive action.
1. Emphasizing General Locations (Class 17)
When referring to a general area, ndiko means "it is exactly there that..."
- Huko ndiko alikokwenda. (Over there is exactly where he went.)
2. Emphasizing Infinitive Actions (Class 15)
Because infinitives (verbal nouns) also use the ku- prefix, ndiko is used to emphasize them, meaning "is exactly what."
- Kusoma ndiko kunakosaidia. (Reading is exactly what helps.)
3. Relative Markers and Tense Restrictions
When ndiko introduces a relative clause, you must use the relative marker -ko- or the relative word ambako. The infix -ko- can only be inserted into verbs with specific tenses: past (-li-), present (-na-), future (where the standard -ta- changes to -taka-), and negative (-si-). In the tenseless general present, it attaches to the end of the verb.
- Ndiko alikokwenda. (That is where he went.)
- Ndiko aendako. (That is where he goes.)
For tenses that do not accept relative infixes, such as the perfect (-me-) or habitual (hu-), you must use the amba- construction (ambako).
- Ndiko ambako wamekwenda. (That is where they have gone.)
4. Short Answers and Negation
Ndiko can stand alone as a complete sentence (e.g., Ndiko. - "It is there."). Its negative counterpart is siko ("that is not where" or "it is not there").
Do not confuse ndiko with other emphatic locative copulas:
A Noun Can Follow:
Huko ndiko nyumbani means “That is where home is.” Ndiko focuses the locative reference without requiring a relative verb after it. Compare Huko ndiko ninakoishi (That is where I live), which does contain a relative clause.
Examples (5)
- Ndiko tulikokaa jana jioni.
That is where we sat yesterday evening.
Word by Word: It-is-there we-past-where-sit yesterday evening.
Notice how the verb tulikokaa includes the mandatory -ko- relative marker to match ndiko.
- Ndiko anakoishi Amina, pembeni ya shule.
That is where Amina lives, beside the school.
Word by Word: It-is-there she-present-where-live Amina, beside of school.
Used to emphasize the general area where Amina lives.
- Huko ndiko alikokwenda.
Over there is where he went.
Word by Word: There it-is-there he-past-where-go.
Paired with huko for double emphasis on the direction of motion.
- Sokoni ndiko tunakonunua matunda.
The market is where we buy fruits.
Word by Word: Market-at it-is-there we-present-where-buy fruits.
Emphasizing the market as the general place for buying fruits.
- Huko ndiko tutakakoenda kesho.
Over there is where we will go tomorrow.
Word by Word: There it-is-there we-future-where-go tomorrow.
Notice how the standard future tense marker -ta- changes to -taka- when the relative infix -ko- is added.
Common Mistakes
Dropping the relative marker '-ko-' or 'ambako' when forming a relative clause.
Ndiko tulikaa.Ndiko tulikokaa.When using ndiko to introduce a clause, you must either include the matching relative marker -ko- in the verb (for allowed tenses) or use the relative word ambako.
Using 'ndiko' for a specific, exact spot or point in time.
Saa mbili ndiko tutaonana.Saa mbili ndipo tutakapoonana.Ndiko is for general areas or directions (and Class 15 infinitives). For specific spots or times, use ndipo.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'ndiko', you need to be familiar with the emphatic copula prefix 'ndi-' and how it combines with the referential marker '-ko' from the general locative class (Class 17) to identify a specific general location.
- ku- (mahali)General Place Ku-
The 'ko' in 'ndiko' is the referential marker for the general locative class (Class 17).
Level 2 - ndiyoYes and It Is
The 'ndi-' prefix is the emphatic copula used to identify or emphasize a specific subject.
Level 1 - -po- / -ko- / -mo-Locative Relatives
Understanding how the -ko- marker functions as a relative of place is essential for understanding its use in the emphatic 'ndiko' form.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- ndipoThat Is the Place or Time
Ndipo is the Class 16 equivalent, used for specific locations or points in time, contrasting with the general location of ndiko.
Level 4 - ndimoThat Is Inside
Ndimo is the Class 18 equivalent, used specifically for interior locations (inside), contrasting with ndiko.
Level 4 - -ko-Where or How with -ko-
This is the relative marker that must be included in the verb following ndiko.
Level 3 - hukoThere in That Area
Huko is the demonstrative pronoun for general locations, often paired with ndiko for extra emphasis.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice ndiko in Bubblegum
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