ya

associative marker

of.

With class 9 nouns, ya expresses belonging or association.

Origins

Its earlier history is still under review.

A. C. Madan, Swahili-English Dictionary (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1903), PDF page 459.
Documents the associative meaning.
African Studies Institute, University of Georgia, KIKO: Kiswahili kwa kompyuta (University of Georgia), Unit 13, association.
Illustrates class 9 association.

Examples

Hii ni nyumba ya Asha.
This is Asha’s house.
Bei ya tiketi imepanda.
The ticket price has gone up.
Ninapenda rangi ya bahari.
I like the colour of the sea.
Nimesikia sauti ya mtoto.
I have heard a child’s voice.
Hii ni kazi ya leo.
This is today’s work.
Picha ya familia iko ukutani.
The family photo is on the wall.
Simu ya baba iko mezani.
Father’s phone is on the table.
Harufu ya chakula inanivutia.
The smell of the food appeals to me.
Mlango wa nyumba ya jirani uko wazi.
The door of the neighbour’s house is open.