The Relative Infix -o-
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The -o- infix turns a verb into a description by adding 'who' or 'which' directly into the verb structure.
- Insert -o- after the subject prefix: 'mtu a-na-ye-penda' (the person who likes).
- The -o- changes based on the noun class: 'ki-o' becomes 'cho', 'm-o' becomes 'ye'.
- It replaces the tense marker in some contexts or attaches to the relative stem.
2. Negative Relative Forms
| Class | Affirmative | Negative |
|---|---|---|
|
Class 1
|
anayekuja
|
asiyekuja
|
|
Class 7
|
kinachokuja
|
kisichokuja
|
Relative Infix Agreement Table
| Noun Class | Subject Prefix | Relative Infix | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 (Person)
|
a-
|
-ye-
|
anayekuja
|
|
2 (People)
|
wa-
|
-o-
|
wanaokuja
|
|
3 (Tree/Object)
|
u-
|
-o-
|
unaokuja
|
|
4 (Trees/Objects)
|
i-
|
-yo-
|
inayokuja
|
|
7 (Thing)
|
ki-
|
-cho-
|
kinachokuja
|
|
8 (Things)
|
vi-
|
-vyo-
|
vinavyokuja
|
Meanings
The -o- infix is used to create relative clauses, allowing you to describe nouns by linking them to an action or state.
Subject Relative
Used when the noun being described is the subject of the relative verb.
“Watu wanaokula wamefurahi”
“Kitabu kinachopendwa na wengi”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Prefix + Tense + Rel + Root
|
anayekula
|
|
Negative
|
Prefix + si + Rel + Root
|
asiyekula
|
|
Past
|
Prefix + li + Rel + Root
|
aliyekula
|
|
Future
|
Prefix + ta + Rel + Root
|
atakayekula
|
|
Question
|
Prefix + Rel + Verb + je
|
anayekuja-je?
|
|
Short Answer
|
Ni + [Relative]
|
Ni yule anayekuja
|
Spectre de formalité
Mtu anayekuja. (Describing someone arriving.)
Mtu anayekuja. (Describing someone arriving.)
Yule anayekuja. (Describing someone arriving.)
Jamaa anayekuja. (Describing someone arriving.)
The Relative Bridge
People
- anayekula who is eating
Things
- kinacholiwa which is eaten
Exemples par niveau
Mtu anayekula.
The person who is eating.
Kitabu kinachopendwa.
The book that is liked.
Mtoto anayelia.
The child who is crying.
Gari linaloenda.
The car that is going.
Mtu asiyekula.
The person who is not eating.
Watu wanaokuja.
The people who are coming.
Chakula kisicholiwa.
The food that is not eaten.
Miti inayokua.
The trees that are growing.
Mwalimu ninayemheshimu.
The teacher whom I respect.
Somo linalofundishwa leo.
The lesson that is being taught today.
Wanafunzi wasiofika darasani.
The students who did not arrive in class.
Nchi inayokua kiuchumi.
The country that is growing economically.
Uamuzi uliofanywa na serikali.
The decision that was made by the government.
Mradi unaotekelezwa sasa.
The project that is being implemented now.
Watu wanaotaka mabadiliko.
The people who want change.
Sheria inayolinda haki zetu.
The law that protects our rights.
Mwandishi anayesifiwa sana.
The author who is highly praised.
Mazingira yanayotuzunguka.
The environment that surrounds us.
Utamaduni unaopotea polepole.
The culture that is slowly disappearing.
Wazo linaloleta utata.
The idea that brings controversy.
Lugha inayostawi katika mazingira magumu.
The language that thrives in difficult environments.
Falsafa inayotegemea mantiki.
The philosophy that relies on logic.
Ukweli usiofichika.
The truth that is not hidden.
Mchakato unaohitaji umakini.
The process that requires focus.
Facile à confondre
Learners mix up 'huyu' (this) with 'anayekuja' (who is coming).
Learners aren't sure when to use -amba- vs -o-.
Learners confuse object markers with relative markers.
Erreurs courantes
Mtu anayekula chakula
Mtu anayekula chakula
Mtu anapenda chakula
Mtu anayependa chakula
Kitabu anayesoma
Kitabu anachosoma
Mtu anayekula
Mtu anayekula
Mtu asiyekula
Mtu asiyekula
Watu wanaokula
Watu wanaokula
Kiti kinachovunjika
Kiti kinachovunjika
Mtu aliyekula
Mtu aliyekula
Mtu atakayekula
Mtu atakayekula
Mtu anayekula
Mtu anayekula
Mtu anayekula
Mtu anayekula
Mtu anayekula
Mtu anayekula
Mtu anayekula
Mtu anayekula
Structures de phrases
Mtu ___ anayekuja ni rafiki yangu.
Kitabu ___ kinachopendwa ni hiki.
Watu ___ wanaokuja wamechelewa.
Mradi ___ unaotekelezwa ni mkubwa.
Real World Usage
Rafiki anayekuja yuko wapi?
Watu wanaopenda kusafiri!
Kazi ninayofanya inahitaji umakini.
Chakula kinachopikwa vizuri.
Basi linaloenda mjini.
Serikali inayotawala.
Focus on Noun Classes
Don't translate word-for-word
Practice with common verbs
Listen to native speakers
Smart Tips
Check the prefix of the noun first.
Replace the tense marker with 'si'.
Use the relative infix for precision.
Focus on the rhythm of the verb.
Prononciation
Vowel harmony
Ensure the relative infix vowel matches the class prefix.
Statement
Mtu anayekula ↘
Neutral declarative tone.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of the -o- as a 'hook' that catches the verb and pulls it toward the noun.
Association visuelle
Imagine a train where the engine is the subject, the middle carriage is the -o- hook, and the caboose is the verb. The hook connects the engine to the caboose.
Rhyme
When you want to say 'the one who', add -o- to the verb, it's true!
Story
A man (mtu) walks down the street. He sees a book (kitabu). He says 'Kitabu kinachonipendeza' (The book that pleases me). The -o- acts like a magnet pulling the book and the feeling together.
Word Web
Défi
Write 5 sentences describing objects in your room using the relative infix.
Notes culturelles
More frequent use of relative clauses in poetry and formal speech.
Slightly simplified usage in casual conversation.
Often drops the relative marker in very casual slang.
The relative infix is derived from ancient Bantu demonstrative roots.
Amorces de conversation
Ni nani anayekusaidia?
Ni kitabu kipi kinachokuvutia?
Je, unafanya kazi inayokufurahisha?
Ni mabadiliko yapi yanayohitajika?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
Mtu ___ (anayekuja) anafurahi.
Find and fix the mistake:
Kitabu anayesoma ni kizuri.
Watu ___ (wanaokula) wamefurahi.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
The person who is not eating.
Answer starts with: Mtu...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Mwalimu + anayefundisha
A: Ni nani anayekuja? B: ___
Score: /8
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesMtu ___ (anayekuja) anafurahi.
Find and fix the mistake:
Kitabu anayesoma ni kizuri.
Watu ___ (wanaokula) wamefurahi.
anayekuja / mtu / ni / rafiki / yangu
The person who is not eating.
Mtu / Kitabu / Watu
Mwalimu + anayefundisha
A: Ni nani anayekuja? B: ___
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
It's a marker inserted into verbs to create relative clauses.
It depends on the noun class of the subject.
Yes, e.g., 'aliyekula'.
Yes, it is essential for formal Swahili.
The sentence will sound grammatically incorrect to native speakers.
Functionally yes, but structurally different.
Use the negative marker 'si'.
Most dialects use it, though usage varies.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
que
Swahili requires noun class agreement; Spanish does not.
qui/que
Swahili infixes are integrated into the verb.
der/die/das
German uses separate pronouns; Swahili uses verb infixes.
no
Japanese relative clauses precede the noun; Swahili follows it.
alladhi
Arabic uses separate pronouns; Swahili uses infixes.
de
Chinese has no verb conjugation for relative clauses.
