-po- (masharti)

Whenever with -po-

Level 5

The marker -po- is attached to a verb to mean "when," "whenever," or "where." As a Class 16 relative marker, it refers to a definite time or a specific place, implying a realized or expected event rather than a purely hypothetical one.

How It Works

The -po- marker is a Class 16 relative marker that refers to definite time ("when") or a specific location ("where"). Unlike the other locative relative markers, Class 17 -ko- (general location) and Class 18 -mo- (inside location), only -po- can be used to express time. Here is how to build and use it correctly:

1. Tensed Infix Structure
Subject + Tense (-na-, -li-, or -taka-) + -po- + [Object Prefix] + Root

  • ni-na-po-soma (when/where I read)
  • a-li-po-fika (when/where he arrived)
  • ni-li-po-mw-ona (when I saw him)

For unsupported tenses like the perfect -me-, you must use the independent word ambapo (e.g., ambapo amefika). Note that ambapo can also be used universally with any supported tense as a simpler alternative to the infix (e.g., ambapo ninasoma is just as valid as ninaposoma).

2. Tenseless Suffix Structure (General Relative)
You can also attach -po as a suffix to the end of the verb root to express a general or habitual "when" or "where" without a specific tense marker.

  • a-soma-po (when/whenever he reads)

For monosyllabic verbs, the infinitive ku- is dropped. Because Swahili stress always falls on the penultimate (second-to-last) syllable, adding the suffix makes the verb root itself the penultimate syllable (e.g., in a-LA-po, 'la' is now penultimate), so the 'dummy' ku- is no longer needed to carry the stress.

3. The Future Tense Mutation
You cannot attach -po- directly to the standard future marker -ta-. The tense marker must mutate to -taka-.

  • ni-taka-po-soma (when/where I will read)

4. Monosyllabic Verbs
Verbs with a single-syllable root (like kula or kuja) retain their infinitive ku- prefix when -po- is attached as an infix.

  • a-na-po-ku-ja (when he comes)

5. Negative Form
The negative equivalent uses the infix -sipo- (Subject + si + po + [Object Prefix] + Root), which translates to "if/when [subject] does not." Crucially, you must use the affirmative subject prefix, not the negative one (e.g., a-si-po-soma, never ha-si-po-soma). Note that -sipo- is tenseless. To express a specific negative past or future context, use ambapo with the fully conjugated negative verb (e.g., ambapo sikusoma for "when I did not read").

6. Contrast with -ki-
While Conditional -ki- means "if" (hypothetical), -po- means "when" (definite). In everyday speech, they are sometimes used interchangeably for habitual actions ("whenever"), but -po- always retains a more definite, time-bound or place-bound nuance.

7. Using with "Wakati"
If the noun wakati (time) is explicitly used, strict grammar dictates using the Class 11 relative agreement -o- (e.g., wakati ninaosoma), though wakati ninaposoma is widely accepted in modern spoken Swahili.

Other Limits on Bound -Po-:
The bound relative pattern does not freely accept every tense or mood. In addition to -me-, habitual hu- and hypothetical -nge-/-ngali- do not simply take an inserted -po-. A separate ambapo clause or another suitable time expression lets the following verb keep its ordinary form.

Examples (5)

  1. Ninapohisi baridi, ninavaa kofia na sweta.

    Whenever I feel cold, I wear a hat and sweater.

    Word by Word: I-present-when-feel cold, I-present-wear hat and sweater.

    Shows the standard present tense usage for a recurring condition ("whenever").

  2. Nitakapokwenda, tutaonana.

    When I go, we will see each other.

    Word by Word: I-future-when-go, we-future-see-each-other.

    Demonstrates the mandatory mutation of the future tense marker from -ta- to -taka-.

  3. Alipofika nyumbani, alipika chakula.

    When he arrived home, he cooked food.

    Word by Word: He-past-when-arrive home, he-past-cook food.

    Shows the past tense usage for a specific, realized event in the past.

  4. Anapokula, hapendi kuongea.

    When she eats, she doesn't like to talk.

    Word by Word: She-present-when-eat, she-negative-like to-talk.

    Highlights that monosyllabic verbs (like kula) keep their ku- prefix with the -po- infix.

  5. Asipotulia, mama atambembeleza tena.

    If/When he doesn't calm down, mother will soothe him again.

    Word by Word: He-negative-when-calm-down, mother she-future-him-soothe again.

    Demonstrates the negative form using the -sipo- infix.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting to change the future tense marker -ta- to -taka-.

    Nitapoenda, nitanunua mkate.
    Nitakapoenda, nitanunua mkate.

    When using the -po- infix with the future tense, the tense marker must mutate to -taka-. You cannot attach -po- directly to -ta-.

  • Dropping the infinitive ku- on monosyllabic verbs.

    Anapoja, tutaanza mkutano.
    Anapokuja, tutaanza mkutano.

    Unlike the -ki- conditional, the -po- infix requires monosyllabic verbs (like kuja or kula) to keep their ku- prefix.

How It Connects

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

-po- (masharti)Level 5Whenever with -po-

Learn This First

The -po- conditional pattern uses the temporal relative marker -po- (meaning 'when') to create a 'whenever' or 'if' clause. To understand this, a learner must be familiar with the Swahili relative infix system and specifically how the locative/temporal marker -po- functions within a verb to indicate time or place.

Words in This Pattern

-po