lini
interrogative adverb
when; at what time.
It does not change form.
Origins
Its earlier history is still under review.
Sources4
Martin Haspelmath and Uri Tadmor (editors), World Loanword Database: Swahili (Max Planck Digital Library, 2009), wold-master/cldf/forms.csv row 51197.
Classifies lini as an adverb.
Mzee Morino Tsuneo and Nassor Nakazima Hisasi (editors), A dictionary of the Swahili language (Tokyo: ILCAA, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, 1990–1997), lini¹; [K13].
Records the time question word.
A. C. Madan, Swahili-English Dictionary (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1903), PDF page 223.
Identifies an interrogative adverb asking at what time.
Edward Steere, A Handbook of the Swahili Language as Spoken at Zanzibar (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1884), PDF page 152.
Lists lini among the invariable interrogatives.
Examples
Safari inaanza lini?
When does the journey start?
Unaondoka lini?
When are you leaving?
Ulifika lini?
When did you arrive?
Tutaonana lini tena?
When will we see each other again?
Duka linafunguliwa lini?
When does the shop open?
Ulizaliwa lini?
When were you born?
Mkutano unaanza lini?
When does the meeting start?
Nikupigie simu lini?
When should I call you?
Atarudi lini?
When will they return?
