isiyo

How to say it

Meaning

Describes a noun by what it is not or does not have, like English non-, un- or without, as in sekta isiyo rasmi, the informal sector.

Good to know

Agrees with a singular n class noun or a plural mi class noun; the sister forms are asiye, wasio, usiyo, lisilo, yasiyo, kisicho, visivyo and zisizo. Isiyo na means without: nchi isiyo na bahari.

Examples

• Hii ni barabara isiyo na lami.This is a road without tarmac.
• Alifanya kazi katika sekta isiyo rasmi.He worked in the informal sector.
• Tuliona miti isiyo na majani.We saw trees without leaves.