hapana
particle · locative verb form
No. Also, there is not, when referring to a particular place.
Hapana can stand alone as a negative answer. In its locative use it points to a particular place; hakuna is more general.
Also there is not; a negative expression referring to a particular place. (locative verb form)
Hapana can stand alone as a negative answer. In its locative use it points to a particular place; hakuna is more general.
Origins
Hapana brings together ha-, a negative marker, pa-, a marker for a place, and na, “with”. Its original sense is “the place does not have”. That locative expression also became the everyday answer “no”.
Shigeki Kaji, On the Source of the Swahili Word ndiyo “yes”: A Consideration from Nyoro and other Bantu Languages (2021), hapana, page 13.
No; there is not. Hapana is ha-pa-na: negative marker, class-16 subject marker and with; original meaning “The place does not have”.
Edward Steere, A Handbook of the Swahili Language as Spoken at Zanzibar (1884), 313.
No; there is not. Locative hapana refers to a particular place; hakuna is more general.
Examples
Hapana, sitaki chai.
No, I do not want tea.
Hapana, sijamaliza.
No, I have not finished.
Hapana, si hapa.
No, not here.
Hapana, jina langu si Asha.
No, my name is not Asha.
Hapana, hatutaondoka leo.
No, we will not leave today.
Hapana, siwezi kuja kesho.
No, I cannot come tomorrow.
Hapana, sina tiketi.
No, I have no ticket.
Hapana, sikuelewa swali.
No, I did not understand the question.
Hapana, hiyo si yangu.
No, that is not mine.
