Darasani

Chapter Objectives

Communication Scenario

Core Vocabulary

Vitu vya darasani — Classroom objects

The nouns below belong to the KI-VI noun class. Learn each noun with both its singular and plural form — this information is essential for using the word correctly in Swahili.

Notice the pattern: KI-VI singulars begin with ki- and their plurals replace ki- with vi-. This prefix change is the hallmark of the KI-VI class. You will see the same ki-/vi- pattern in agreement words throughout this chapter.

Maneno ya darasani — Classroom words (mixed classes)

Not every classroom word belongs to the KI-VI class. The nouns below come from other classes that you will study in later chapters. For now, learn them as useful vocabulary; their full agreement patterns will be taught when their classes are introduced.

Swahili has several noun classes, each with its own prefix system. You are learning the KI-VI class thoroughly in this chapter. Classroom nouns from other classes are marked for recognition only — you do not need to produce their agreement forms yet.

Rangi — Colors

Colors in Swahili are adjectives that typically follow the noun they describe. Color agreement with noun classes is introduced gradually from Chapter 4 onward. For now, practice saying colors as independent words while describing the objects around you.

Namba 1–20 — Numbers 1 to 20

Numbers 11–19 use the pattern kumi na + the unit: kumi na moja (ten and one), kumi na mbili (ten and two), and so on. The word ishirini (twenty) is a separate form. Most basic numerals do not change for noun class at this stage — you will study numeral agreement in Chapter 9.

Maneno ya darasani — Classroom expressions

Swahili commands addressed to one person use the simple verb stem. Commands addressed to a group add the suffix -eni. This distinction is introduced fully in the Grammar section below.

Pronunciation and Spelling

Consonant combinations

Swahili spelling is closely linked to pronunciation. Most letters represent one consistent sound. In this chapter, you will encounter several important consonant combinations. Each represents a single sound — do not try to pronounce them as two separate consonants.

Vowel sequences

When two or more vowel letters appear next to each other in Swahili, each vowel is pronounced separately. Do not combine them into an English-style diphthong.

• kiooPronounced ki-o-o, three syllables — not kyoo
• mwalimuPronounced mwa-li-mu — the mw blends but the vowels remain separate

Penultimate stress review

Swahili words are stressed on the second-to-last syllable. Divide these chapter words into syllables and identify the stressed syllable:

ki-TA-bu  ·  vi-TA-bu  ·  ka-LA-mu  ·  mwa-li-MU  ·  da-RA-sa

Practice — spelling aloud: Spell three KI-VI nouns from the vocabulary list using the Swahili alphabet, letter by letter. Your partner writes each word and then says it aloud with correct stress. Switch roles.

Grammar Instruction

2.1 The KI-VI noun class

Purpose: identify and name common classroom objects; understand that Swahili nouns belong to classes that shape surrounding words.

Swahili organizes nouns into groups called noun classes. Each class has its own prefix pattern and its own set of agreement markers — words that "echo" the class of the controlling noun. In this chapter, you are working with one of the most common and regular classes: KI-VI.

2.2 Near demonstratives: hiki and hivi

Purpose: point to a nearby object and ask or state what it is.

A demonstrative is a word that points to something — like English "this" or "these." In Swahili, the word for "this" changes depending on the noun class of the noun it accompanies. For KI-VI nouns, the near demonstratives are:

• hiki — this (with a KI-class singular noun) Hiki ni kitabu. — This is a book.
• hivi — these (with a VI-class plural noun) Hivi ni vitabu. — These are books.

The demonstrative agrees with the noun — hiki echoes the ki- prefix of the singular, and hivi echoes the vi- prefix of the plural. This is the beginning of a principle that runs through the entire Swahili language: agreement.

2.3 Asking what something is: Hiki ni nini? / Hivi ni nini?

Purpose: ask the name of an unfamiliar object.

To ask "What is this?" about a KI-class singular object, use Hiki ni nini? For a VI-class plural, use Hivi ni nini? The question word nini (what) does not change.

• Hiki ni nini?What is this? — (pointing to one object)
• Hiki ni kitabu.This is a book. — (answer)
• Hivi ni nini?What are these? — (pointing to several objects)
• Hivi ni vitabu.These are books. — (answer)

Notice that the same ni from Chapter 1 — which you used to state identity (Mimi ni Amina) — is also used here to link a demonstrative to the noun it names.

2.4 Singular and plural commands

Purpose: understand and give simple classroom instructions.

A Swahili command addressed to one person uses the verb stem alone, often ending in -a. A command addressed to a group adds the suffix -eni to the verb stem:

You can soften a command by adding tafadhali (please): Tafadhali soma. (Please read.) In a classroom setting, tafadhali is appropriate when addressing peers or individuals in a non-authoritative context.

2.5 Agreement as a recurring feature

Purpose: understand why modifiers change their form in Swahili.

You have now seen two patterns of agreement: the demonstratives hiki/hivi that reflect the KI-VI class of the noun they point to, and the -eni suffix that reflects whether a command targets one or several people. Both are examples of a central Swahili principle: words that relate to a noun or its participants must match them in grammatical features.

This means that as you learn more noun classes in later chapters, you will also learn the corresponding demonstratives, possessives, and other modifiers for each class. The pattern you are learning now — ki- → hiki, vi- → hivi — is your first example of this system at work.

Mazoezi A — Jaza nafasi (Fill in the blank):

Choose hiki or hivi to complete each sentence.

1. _____ ni kiti.
2. _____ ni vitabu.
3. _____ ni kikapu.
4. _____ ni visu.
5. _____ ni kisanduku.
6. _____ ni vioo.

Mazoezi B — Umoja na wingi (Singular and plural):

Write the plural of each singular noun, then write a complete sentence using hivi ni.

1. kitabu → _____. Hivi ni _____.
2. kiti → _____. Hivi ni _____.
3. kikapu → _____. Hivi ni _____.
4. kisanduku → _____. Hivi ni _____.
5. kibao → _____. Hivi ni _____.

Mazoezi C — Amri (Commands):

Write the plural command form for each singular command below.

1. Soma. → _____.
2. Andika. → _____.
3. Simama. → _____.
4. Sikiliza. → _____.
5. Angalia. → _____.

Mazoezi ya mawasiliano — Communicative application:

With a partner, take turns holding up a classroom object, asking Hiki ni nini? or Hivi ni nini? and giving the correct answer. After three rounds, give each other a one-word command from the list above and follow it.

Model Dialogue

Maswali ya ufahamu — Comprehension questions:

1. Mwalimu anashikilia nini mwanzo? (What does the teacher hold up first?)
2. Baraka anauliza nini wakati hajaelewa? (What does Baraka say when he does not understand?)
3. Zawadi anaonyesha kitu gani mwishoni? (What object does Zawadi point to at the end?)
4. Write the plural form of kisanduku. Then write a sentence using hivi ni + the plural form.

Listening

Ask your instructor, a partner, or a text-to-speech tool to read the following short exchanges aloud, twice each. As you listen, complete the tasks below.

Kazi A — Orodhesha (List): Listen to Mazungumzo A. Write down all the KI-VI nouns you hear, in both singular and plural forms.

Kazi B — Amri (Commands): Listen to Mazungumzo B. Write down each command. Is each command addressed to one person or a group? How do you know?

Kazi C — Namba (Numbers): Listen to Mazungumzo C. Write the numbers you hear in order, first in numerals, then in Swahili words.

Listening Script for Instructor, Partner, or Text-to-Speech Use. See Answer Key for expected responses.

Reading

Read the following short texts. They are written for beginner learners of Swahili. Look for KI-VI nouns, demonstratives, commands, and numbers as you read.

Maswali ya ufahamu — Comprehension questions:

1. How many chairs are in the classroom in Maandishi 1? Write the number in Swahili words.
2. What three colors of pens are mentioned in Maandishi 1?
3. In Maandishi 2, which command does the teacher give to the group? How do you know it is addressed to the group?
4. Find all the KI-VI nouns in both passages. Write each one with its plural form.

Writing Workshop

1. Soma mfano. Reread Maandishi 1 (Darasa langu) above. Underline each KI-VI noun. Circle the demonstratives hiki or hivi if they appear.
2. Panga mawazo yako. Look around the room you are in now — or imagine a classroom. List five objects you can see, using Swahili nouns from this chapter. Next to each, write its plural form.
3. Andika rasimu yako ya kwanza. Write five to seven Swahili sentences describing the objects in your space. Use kuna (there is/are), hiki ni, and hivi ni as sentence starters. Include at least two plural nouns and at least one color.
4. Kagua kwa orodha hapa chini. Check your draft against the editing checklist below.
5. Andika nakala safi. Produce a clean final version for your portfolio or to share with a partner.

Orodha ya ukaguzi — Editing checklist:

• Each KI-class singular noun begins with ki- and each VI-class plural begins with vi-.
• I used hiki with singular nouns and hivi with plural nouns.
• Numbers are spelled correctly in Swahili words.
• I included ng' with the apostrophe wherever the vocabulary list shows it.
• Each sentence ends with a full stop.

Kazi ya ziada — Additional task: Write three classroom commands — one singular and one plural for each verb. Add tafadhali to each one. Read them aloud to a partner, who must perform the action.

Speaking Practice

Culture and Communication

Common Mistakes

Chapter Review

Chapter Performance Task

Looking Ahead