ya

How to say it

Meaning

Links a noun of the n class, the ma class or the mi class plural, such as nyumba, maji or miti, to what it belongs to or is made of, like English of.

Good to know

It agrees with the first noun: nyumba ya mwalimu, maji ya bahari, miti ya matunda. The sister forms are wa, la, cha, vya, za, kwa, pa and mwa.

Examples

• Nyumba ya mwalimu iko karibu na shule.The teacher's house is near the school.
• Maji ya bahari yana chumvi.Sea water is salty.
• Tumepanda miti ya matunda shambani.We have planted fruit trees on the farm.