-ao

possessive stem

their; theirs.

The agreeing prefix changes with the noun: watoto wao, kitabu chao, safari yao.

Forms

wao: with people
yao: with class 9 nouns
chao: with class 7 nouns
zao: with class 10 nouns

Origins

Its earlier history is still under review.

University of Kansas Department of African and African-American Studies, Kiswahili lessons 1–10 (University of Kansas), PDF pp. 215–217.
Tabulates -ao and noun-class agreement for their.

Examples

Hii ni nyumba yao.
This is their house.
Kitabu chao kiko hapa.
Their book is here.
Watoto wao wanacheza.
Their children are playing.
Safari yao inaanza leo.
Their journey begins today.
Gari lao limefika.
Their car has arrived.
Maji yao yako mezani.
Their water is on the table.
Kazi yao ni nzuri.
Their work is good.
Shule yao iko karibu.
Their school is nearby.
Mwalimu wao amefika.
Their teacher has arrived.