-po-

When with -po-

Level 3

In Swahili, you don't use a separate word for 'when' in statements. Instead, you insert the relative marker -po- directly into the verb to say 'when an action happens'.

How It Works

While English uses 'when' for many situations, Swahili uses the -po- infix to refer to time. In the past tense, it refers to a definite, factual time, but in the present tense, it frequently overlaps with the conditional -ki- and is used to mean 'whenever' for habitual or repeated actions.

Crucial Rules:

  • Short Verbs: In tensed relatives, monosyllabic verbs (like kuja, kula) must keep their infinitive ku- to carry the stress. For example, 'when he came' is alipokuja. Vowel-initial verbs like kwenda can optionally drop it (e.g., alipoenda is perfectly grammatical and common). However, in the tenseless relative, the -po suffix shifts the stress forward, so the ku- is dropped (e.g., ajapo for 'when he comes').
  • Object Markers: When using an object marker, the -po- infix comes directly before it (e.g., alipomwona - 'when he saw him').
  • Future Tense: You cannot just add -po- to the short future -ta- marker. The future marker reverts to its historical, full form -taka- before the relative infix, making it -takapo-. This form means 'when' or 'once' in the future (e.g., atakapofika - 'when he arrives'). To specifically say 'as soon as', you pair it with the phrase mara tu (e.g., mara tu atakapofika - 'as soon as he arrives').
  • Present Tense Restriction: You cannot use the simple present -a- tense with -po-. You must use the present -na- tense (e.g., ninaposoma) or the tenseless relative suffix where the tense marker is dropped and -po attaches to the end of the verb (e.g., asomapo for 'when he reads').
  • Negative Relative: To say 'when [subject] doesn't [verb]' or 'unless', Swahili drops the tense marker and uses the negative conditional -sipo- (the general dependent negative marker -si- right before the relative infix -po-). For example, asipokuja means 'when he doesn't come' or 'unless he comes'.
  • Using ambapo: Certain tenses, such as the perfect -me- tense, cannot take the -po- infix directly. For these, as well as for past negative statements, you must use the independent relative word ambapo (e.g., wakati ambapo amefika for 'when he has arrived', or wakati ambapo hakuja for 'when he didn't come').
  • Not a Question Word: Never use lini (when?) to say 'when something happened'. Lini is only for asking questions.

Because -po- is originally a locative marker for a specific place, it can sometimes mean 'where' depending on the context. To explicitly clarify the temporal meaning ('when' rather than 'where'), it is extremely common to pair the -po- verb with the word wakati (time), as in wakati alipokuja. Note that when using explicit time nouns like wakati (Class 11) or muda (Class 3), you can also use the relative marker that agrees with the noun's class (e.g., wakati aliofika) instead of the universal -po-.

Examples (6)

  1. Alipofika nyumbani, nilikuwa nimelala.

    When he arrived home, I was asleep.

    Word by Word: He-past-when-arrive home, I-was I-have-sleep.

    The past tense marker -li- combines with -po- to form -lipo-.

  2. Nitakapoenda mjini, nitanunua chakula.

    When I go to town, I will buy food.

    Word by Word: I-future-when-go town-to, I-will-buy food.

    In the future tense, you must use -takapo-. Notice that for the verb kwenda, dropping the infinitive ku- (making it -enda) is perfectly valid and common.

  3. Alipomwona rafiki yake, alifurahi sana.

    When he saw his friend, he was very happy.

    Word by Word: He-past-when-him-see friend his, he-past-happy very.

    Notice the strict slot order: the temporal -po- comes immediately before the object marker (-mw-).

  4. Usiposoma, utafeli mtihani.

    When/If you don't read, you will fail the exam.

    Word by Word: You-negative-when-read, you-will-fail exam.

    The negative relative uses -sipo-, dropping the standard tense markers.

  5. Nisomapo kitabu, mimi hufurahi.

    When I read a book, I am usually happy.

    Word by Word: I-read-when book, I usually-happy.

    This demonstrates the tenseless relative suffix, where the tense marker is omitted and -po attaches directly to the end of the verb.

  6. Wakati ambapo hakuja, tulianza mkutano bila yeye.

    When he didn't come, we started the meeting without him.

    Word by Word: Time which he-negative-past-come, we-past-start meeting without him.

    To express a past negative 'when', you cannot use the -po- infix. Instead, use wakati ambapo followed by the standard past negative verb.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the question word 'lini' instead of '-po-' for statements.

    Lini nilifika, nilikula.
    Nilipofika, nilikula.

    'Lini' is strictly a question word ('When did you arrive?'). To say 'When I arrived...', you must use the relative infix -po-.

  • Using the short future marker -ta- instead of the full -taka- form.

    Atapofika, tutaondoka.
    Atakapofika, tutaondoka.

    You cannot attach -po- directly to the short future marker -ta-. The marker must revert to its historical full form -taka- (from kutaka) before the relative infix, making it -takapo-.

  • Dropping the infinitive -ku- on monosyllabic verbs in tensed relatives.

    Alipoja, tulifurahi.
    Alipokuja, tulifurahi.

    In tensed relatives, monosyllabic verbs like 'kuja' (to come) must retain their infinitive -ku- to carry the stress when used with -po- (e.g., alipokuja). Note that in tenseless relatives, the -ku- is dropped because the suffix shifts the stress (e.g., ajapo).

How It Connects

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-po-Level 3When with -po-

Learn This First

To understand the temporal relative -po-, you must first be comfortable with the Swahili verb structure and how relative markers (specifically the -o- of reference) are inserted into verbs. Since -po- is technically a locative relative marker used figuratively for time, understanding its locative origin is essential.

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Words in This Pattern

-po--po