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Grammar Hub
Understand Swahili Grammar Faster
Browse the grammar system by level and category, then open clear explanations with practical examples.
94
Total Rules
68
Chapters
7
CEFR level
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CEFR level: A1
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A1
Tense & Aspect
Verified
Future Tense Marker -ta- (Indicating Future Actions)
The -ta- marker turns any Swahili verb into a future action by placing it after the subject prefix.
- • Use -ta- as a prefix inside the verb to indicate f...
- • The pattern is always: Subject Prefix + -ta- + Ver...
8 examples
3 exercises
22 FAQ
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A1
Sentence Structure
Verified
The 'to be' Copula ni/si (Equative Sentences)
Use `ni` to equate subjects with identities and `si` to negate them; they never change form.
- • Use `ni` for 'am', 'is', or 'are' to identify thin...
- • Use `si` for 'am not', 'is not', or 'are not'.
9 examples
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A1
Verb Conjugation
Verified
The Verb 'to have' -na (Expressing Possession)
Express possession by attaching a subject prefix to `-na`, literally saying you are 'with' something.
- • Combine a subject prefix with `-na` to express 'to...
- • The word `-na` literally means 'with', so you are...
8 examples
4 exercises
6 FAQ
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A1
Negation
Verified
Negative Future Tense (Subject Prefix + -ta-)
To negate the future, use a negative subject prefix with -ta- and keep the verb's ending as 'a'.
- • Use negative prefixes (Si, Hu, Ha, Hatu, Ham, Hawa...
- • The future tense marker -ta- remains in the negati...
8 examples
4 exercises
6 FAQ
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A1
Noun Classes
Verified
Identifying Ki-Vi Class Nouns (Class 7/8)
Identify Class 7/8 nouns by their ki-/vi- prefixes, used mainly for inanimate objects and making things smaller.
- • Singular nouns in this class start with the prefix...
- • Plural nouns swap ki- for the prefix vi-.
9 examples
4 exercises
6 FAQ
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A1
Noun Classes
Verified
Identifying M-Mi Class Nouns (Class 3/4)
The M-Mi class covers nature and body parts; just swap M- for MI- to make words plural.
- • Singular nouns start with M- or MW- prefixes.
- • Plural nouns always start with the MI- prefix.
9 examples
4 exercises
6 FAQ
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A1
Noun Classes
Verified
Identifying Ji-Ma Class Nouns (Class 5/6)
The Ji-Ma class uses 'ma-' for plurals and is your go-to for fruits, body parts, and big things.
- • Singular nouns often have no prefix or use 'ji-' f...
- • Plural nouns always start with the 'ma-' prefix.
8 examples
3 exercises
6 FAQ
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A1
Noun Classes
Verified
Identifying N- Class Nouns (Class 9/10)
Class 9/10 nouns never change their spelling in plural, making them the most stable nouns in Swahili.
- • Class 9 and 10 nouns have identical singular and p...
- • This class includes most animals, loanwords, and e...
8 examples
2 exercises
3 FAQ
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A1
Morphology
Verified
Locative Suffix -ni (Indicating Place or Direction)
Attach -ni to common nouns to turn them into locations, but keep it away from people and cities.
- • Add the suffix -ni to the end of nouns to indicate...
- • It replaces English prepositions like 'at', 'in',...
8 examples
4 exercises
6 FAQ
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A1
Pronouns
Verified
Demonstratives huyu/yule (This/That for M-Wa Class)
Use `huyu` for 'this' and `yule` for 'that' when referring to singular people or animals.
- • Use huyu for a person or animal right next to you.
- • Use yule for a person or animal far away from you.
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A1
Pronouns
Verified
Possessive Stems -angu, -ako, -ake (My, Your, His/Her)
In Swahili, ownership is shown by adding a noun-matching prefix to the stems -angu, -ako, or -ake.
- • Possessive stems change their prefix to match the...
- • The three main stems are -angu (my), -ako (your),...
8 examples
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A1
Questions & Negation
Verified
Question Word 'nani' (Asking Who)
Use 'nani' at the end of sentences to identify people naturally and easily in Swahili.
- • Nani means 'who' and is used only for people, neve...
- • It usually appears at the end of a Swahili sentenc...
8 examples
4 exercises
6 FAQ
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A1
Questions & Negation
Verified
Question Word 'nini' (Asking What)
Place `nini` at the end of your sentence to ask 'what' about things or actions in Swahili.
- • Use `nini` to ask 'what' regarding objects, action...
- • Place `nini` at the end of the sentence after the...
9 examples
4 exercises
6 FAQ
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A1
Questions & Negation
Verified
Question Word 'wapi' (Asking Where)
In Swahili, ask 'where' by placing the unchanging word 'wapi' at the very end of your sentence.
- • Use 'wapi' to ask 'where' for people, places, or t...
- • Place 'wapi' at the end of the sentence, not the b...
8 examples
4 exercises
6 FAQ
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A1
Questions & Negation
Verified
Question Word 'lini' (Asking When)
Always place the invariable question word `lini` at the end of sentences to ask about general time.
- • Lini means 'when' and is used for general time que...
- • Place lini at the end of your sentence for natural...
8 examples
4 exercises
6 FAQ
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A1
Tense & Aspect
Verified
The Habitual Tense -hu- (General Truths and Routines)
The `hu-` tense expresses universal truths and routines by replacing subject prefixes with a single, unchanging prefix.
- • The `hu-` tense describes habits, routines, and ge...
- • It is unique because it never uses subject prefixe...
8 examples
4 exercises
6 FAQ
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A1
Numbers & Counters
Verified
Swahili Clock System (Telling Time with 6-hour Offset)
Swahili time counts hours from sunrise (6 AM), resulting in a consistent six-hour offset from the Western clock.
- • Swahili time is 6 hours ahead/behind the Western c...
- • 7:00 AM Western is Saa moja asubuhi (Hour 1) in Sw...
8 examples
4 exercises
6 FAQ
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A1
Negation
Verified
Negating 'to have' (sina, huna, hana)
To say you don't have something in Swahili, use 'sina' for yourself and 'h-' prefixes for others.
- • To negate 'having', replace positive prefixes with...
- • The first person 'I' uses si-, making it sina (I d...
9 examples
4 exercises
6 FAQ
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A1
Conjunctions & Connectors
Verified
Conjunction 'na' (Linking Nouns and Verbs)
Use `na` as a universal connector for 'and' or 'with' to link nouns and verbs effortlessly.
- • Use `na` to mean 'and' or 'with' in Swahili senten...
- • It links nouns, verbs, and people without changing...
8 examples
1 exercises
1 FAQ
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A1
Adjectives & Adverbs
Verified
Adjective Agreement with Ki-Vi Nouns (Prefix ki-/vi-)
Always mirror the noun's ki- or vi- prefix onto the adjective to ensure perfect grammatical agreement.
- • Match adjective prefixes to noun prefixes: ki- for...
- • Use ch- and vy- prefixes if the adjective stem sta...
9 examples
4 exercises
6 FAQ
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A1
Noun Classes
Verified
Identifying U-Class Nouns (Class 11/14)
The U-class unites abstract ideas and long objects under the prefix 'u-', usually remaining singular for concepts.
- • U-Class nouns typically start with the prefix u- o...
- • This class contains abstract concepts, long object...
8 examples
1 exercises
1 FAQ
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A1
Noun Classes
Verified
U-Class Singular and Plural Agreement (u- and n- patterns)
U-Class nouns use 'u' agreement in singular and switch to 'zi' agreement for plural concrete objects.
- • Singular U-Class nouns start with 'u-' and use 'u-...
- • Plural U-Class nouns often drop 'u-' and use 'zi-'...
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Why Learn Swahili Grammar?
Grammar is the foundation of language fluency. Without understanding grammar patterns, you can memorize vocabulary but struggle to form correct sentences. Here's why structured grammar study matters:
Build Accurate Sentences
Move beyond memorized phrases. Understand the rules so you can create original, correct sentences in any situation.
Pass Language Exams
Grammar is tested in every major language exam — IELTS, DELE, DELF, JLPT, HSK, TOPIK, and more. Our CEFR-aligned curriculum maps directly to exam requirements.
Understand Native Speakers
Knowing grammar helps you parse complex sentences, understand nuance, and follow conversations even when speakers use advanced constructions.
Progress Faster
Students who study grammar systematically reach fluency faster than those who rely on immersion alone. Structure accelerates learning.
How Our Swahili Grammar Course Works
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Choose Your Level
Start with your CEFR level — from A0 Zero Point to C2 Mastery. Not sure? Begin at A0 and progress at your own pace.
2
Study Structured Chapters
Each chapter covers a grammar topic with clear explanations, pattern tables, and real-world example sentences.
3
Practice with Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises — fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, sentence building, and translation practice.
4
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Your progress is saved automatically. Complete chapters, unlock new levels, and watch your grammar mastery grow.
Frequently Asked Questions About Swahili Grammar
SubLearn covers 94 Swahili grammar rules organized across 7 CEFR proficiency levels (from A0 to C2), spanning 68 structured chapters. Each rule includes clear explanations, real-world examples, and interactive practice exercises.
Our Swahili grammar curriculum covers CEFR levels from A0 to C2. Each level is designed to match your current proficiency — beginners start with basic sentence patterns at A1, while advanced learners tackle nuanced structures at C1-C2.
Yes! All Swahili grammar rules, explanations, and examples are completely free to access. You can browse the full curriculum, read detailed explanations, and practice with exercises at no cost.
Grammar is organized into 68 thematic chapters following the CEFR framework. Each chapter groups related rules together — for example, verb tenses, sentence structure, or particles — so you can learn related concepts in a logical sequence.
Yes! Create a free account to track which grammar rules you've studied, see your progress across all CEFR levels, and pick up exactly where you left off. Your learning progress syncs across devices.
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