hivyo
Thus or in That Way
Hivyo is a versatile word in Swahili. It is the Class 8 referential demonstrative, meaning it refers back to something already mentioned. It can mean 'those' (for Class 8 nouns), 'thus/in that way' (as an adverb), or 'therefore' (in the phrase kwa hivyo).
How It Works
The word hivyo serves three main functions in Swahili:
1. As a Demonstrative Pronoun/Adjective
When modifying an inanimate Class 8 plural noun (nouns starting with vi- or vy-), it means 'those (previously mentioned)'. It usually follows the noun, but can precede it for emphasis or strict definiteness.
Example: vitabu hivyo (those books) or hivyo vitabu (THOSE books).
Note: Due to human agreement, animate Class 8 nouns take Class 2 agreement. For example, 'those youths' is vijana hao, not vijana hivyo.
2. As an Adverb of Manner
Because Class 8 agreement is used to denote manner, hivyo is used after a verb to mean 'thus', 'so', or 'in that way'. It frequently pairs with verbs containing the Class 8 relative marker -vyo-.
Examples: Fanya hivyo. (Do it that way.) / Fanya hivyo ulivyoagizwa. (Do it the way you were instructed.)
3. As a Conjunction
Hivyo is very commonly used on its own as a conjunction meaning 'so' or 'therefore'. When combined with the associative kwa, it forms kwa hivyo, which also means 'therefore' or 'for that reason' (literally 'by those manners/circumstances'). Note that kwa hiyo is another common everyday term for 'therefore'. Another essential conjunction is hata hivyo, meaning 'however' or 'nevertheless'. You will also frequently hear hivyo basi, which means 'so then' or 'therefore'.
Emphatic and Related Forms:
- hivyo ndivyo: that is exactly how (note that ndivyo is formed from the emphatic copula ndi- plus the Class 8 relative -vyo)
- vivyo hivyo: in that exact same way
- sivyo: not so / not that way (often used as a question tag or in the phrase ndivyo sivyo meaning 'incorrectly' or 'upside down')
Morphology:
It is formed from the proximal demonstrative hivi plus the referential suffix -o (hi-vi-o → hivyo).
Important Distinction:
- Hivi = this way / like this (close to speaker)
- Hivyo = that way / like that (close to listener or already mentioned)
- Vile = that way / like that over there (far from both)
Without the Noun:
Hivyo ni vyangu means “Those things are mine,” with an understood Class 8 noun. In discourse, kwa hivyo and kwa hiyo both introduce a consequence; regional preferences vary. Do not treat their frequency in one region as a ban on the other elsewhere.
Examples (4)
- Vitabu hivyo ni vipya.
Those books (that we were just talking about) are new.
Word by Word: Books those are new.
Used as a demonstrative adjective modifying the Class 8 noun vitabu.
- Tafadhali, endelea kufanya hivyo.
Please, continue doing it that way.
Word by Word: Please, continue to do thus.
Used as an adverb of manner following the verb.
- Alijifunza sana, kwa hivyo alifaulu mtihani.
He studied a lot, therefore he passed the exam.
Word by Word: He studied a lot, by those he passed exam.
Used in the phrase kwa hivyo to mean 'therefore'.
- Sikusema hivyo.
I didn't say that (in that way).
Word by Word: I did not say thus.
A very common conversational phrase using hivyo as an adverb.
Common Mistakes
Using 'hivyo' to mean 'very' or 'so' as an intensifier.
Mimi ni mchovu hivyo.Mimi ni mchovu sana.English speakers often translate 'I am so tired' using hivyo. However, hivyo only means 'so' in the sense of 'thus/in that way'. To intensify an adjective, you must use sana.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'hivyo', a learner needs to be familiar with the Class 8 (VI) demonstrative system and how the relative marker -vyo- is used to denote manner. Additionally, knowing the preposition 'kwa' is essential for the common usage of 'hivyo' as a resultative marker meaning 'therefore'.
- hiki / hiviClass 7 and 8 Near Demonstratives
Hivyo is the medial demonstrative for Class 8 (VI), and understanding the near demonstrative 'hivi' provides the morphological basis for its formation.
Level 1 - -vyo- (namna)The Way That with -vyo-
The use of 'hivyo' to mean 'in that way' or 'thus' relies on the Class 8 relative marker -vyo-, which is the standard way Swahili expresses manner.
Level 3 - kwaMultipurpose Kwa
The common phrase 'kwa hivyo' (therefore) requires knowledge of the preposition 'kwa' to understand how it functions as a logical connector.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- kwa hiyoTherefore with Kwa Hiyo
Kwa hiyo is another way to say 'therefore', using Class 9 agreement instead of Class 8. It is the more common everyday term compared to kwa hivyo.
Level 4 - Classes 7 and 8
Understanding the KI-VI noun class is essential, as hivyo is fundamentally a Class 8 demonstrative.
Foundations - Demonstratives After the Noun
Explains the rules for placing demonstratives like hivyo, which usually follow the noun but can precede it for emphasis or strict definiteness.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice hivyo in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Swahili lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
