Chapter 31 - The Suffix "-O" of Reference

The "-O" of reference is used in many different ways, the common denominator point between all these uses being that it always refers to a noun implicitly present in the speech.

• It helps to form the demonstrative of reference. (See : Chapter 15.)
• It helps to form the emphatics of NDIYO and SIYO type. (See : Chapter 27.)
• It can be affixed to the associative particle NA (= and, with).
• It plays the role of pronoun object with the verb KUWA NA.
• It can be affixed to the adjective -INGINE (= other).
• It constitutes the first element in the expression -O -OTE.
• It helps to form locative prepositions and clauses. (See : Chapter 45.)
• "-O" affixed to a verb corresponds to a relative pronoun. (See : Chapter 52.)

The suffix "-O" of reference agrees in class with the noun it refers to, using the series of pronominal prefixes. One exception : the suffix of reference for class 1 = -YE.

 1. The "-O" of reference affixed to "NA" : 

The "-O" of reference clings to the particle NA, respecting noun class agreements.

EXAMPLES :

 2. The "-O" of reference as pronoun object : 

The verb KUWA NA (= to have), does not accomodate the usual pronoun object infix. In this particular instance, it's the suffix "-O" of reference that plays the role of pronoun object. Yet, it can only be used in the affirmative.

EXAMPLES :

Una kitabu ? - Ninacho / Sina.	Have you got your book ? - I have it / I don't have it.
Punda anaye Ali ? - Anaye / Hana.	Has Ali got a donkey ? - He has got one / He hasn't any.
Hamisi anavyo vitabu vyangu. Vitabu vyangu anavyo Hamisi.	Hamisi has got my books.

 3. The "-O" of reference affixed to "-INGINE" : 

The adjective -INGINE (= other) followed by the suffix "-O" takes the particular meaning of "as", "like".

EXEMPLES :

Watu wengineo.	Other people like them.
Mambo mengineyo.	Other similar matters.
Vyombo vinginevyo.	Other tools like those.
Mahali penginepo.	Other similar places.

 4. The "-O" of reference in the clause "-O -OTE" : 

This clause means "Whoever / whatever / wherever / any / anybody / anything / ...".

EXAMPLES :

Kiasi cho chote.	Any quantity.
Ko kote uendako.	Wherever you go.
Kwa vyo vyote.	In any case.
Uliza mtu ye yote.	Ask anybody.
Siwezi kukupa (kitu) cho chote.	I can't give you anything.

VOCABULARY

EXERCISES

EXERCISE 1 : Translate into Swahili :

1. I go with him.
2. I go with them.
3. The children are playing with her (the cat).
4. the day laborers are leaving with it (the car).
5. The travellers arrive with it (the luggage).
6. I live close to them.
7. Have you got a glass ? - I have one.
8. Have you got a tea pot ? - I don't.
9. Have your parents got a garden ? - They have one.
10. Has the hunter got a gun ? - He doesn't.
11. Let's examine similar matters.
12. They live with other people like them.
13. Take any glass.
14. Ask your way to anybody.
15. Give him anything.

EXERCISE 2 : Translate into English :

1. Kitabu hiki ndicho nikitakacho.
2. Katika bustani yetu mna michungwa na miti mengineyo.
3. Walikuja askari na watu wengineo.
4. Nunua chapa ye yote ya mafuta.
5. Usimpe kitanda mgonjwa ye yote.
6. Mtoto ye yote anaweza kwenda shuleni.
7. Una sukari ? - Ninayo.
8. Mgonjwa ana dawa ? - Hana.
9. Sokoni kuna watu ? - Hakuna.
10. Unazo habari za mwenzetu kijijini ?
11. Humo nyumbani, kitu cho chote ni chake mwenyewe.
12. Wanafunzi wana kalamu ? - Wanazo.
13. Nyumba yako ni ipi ? - Ni hii, nayo pia ni mbovu.
14. Nataka kujenga nyingine, lakini hapana matofali yo yote.
15. Ninaweza kufanya kazi ya seremala na kazi nyinginezo.