SWAHILI GRAMMAR

1- SWAHILI ALPHABET

2- WORD ORDER

1 Basic S + V Mimi ninalala. I sleep.

2 Direct object S + V + DO Mimi nasoma kitabu. I read the book.

3 Indirect object S + V + IO + DO Mimi ninampa kitabu. I give him/her the book.

4 Beneficiary S + V + DO + kwa ajili ya + Beneficiary Mimi nanunua kitabu kwa ajili yake. I buy a book for him/her.

5 IO pronoun S + IO-marker + V + DO Mimi ninampa kitabu. I give him/her the book.

6 Adjective S + ni + Adj Kitabu ni kikubwa. The book is big.

7 Adverb S + V + Adv Anasoma haraka. He/she reads quickly.

8 Direct object + adverb S + V + DO + Adv Ninasoma kitabu haraka. I read the book quickly.

9 Time adverb S + V + Time Ninafanya kazi leo. I work today.

10 Place adverb S + V + Place Anaishi huko. He/she lives there.

11 Location phrase S + kuwa + Location Kitabu kiko juu ya meza. The book is on the table.

12 DO + location S + V + DO + Location Nimeweka kitabu juu ya meza. I put the book on the table.

13 Determiner + noun Dem + N Kitabu hiki ni kipya. This book is new.

14 Determiner + adjective + noun Dem + Adj + N Kitabu hiki kikubwa ni kipya. This big book is new.

15 Numeral + noun Num + N Vitabu viwili ni vipya. Two books are new.

16 Conjunction Clause + Conj + Clause Mimi nasoma na yeye anaandika. I read and he/she writes.

17 Conjunction + objects S + V + DO + Conj + S + V + DO Ninasoma kitabu na yeye anaandika barua. I read the book and he/she writes a letter.

18 Present passive S + na + passive V Kitabu kinasomwa. The book is being read.

19 Passive + agent S + na + passive V + na + Agent Kitabu kinasomwa na yeye. The book is being read by him/her.

20 Passive + IO S + passive V + kwa + IO Kitabu kinapewa yeye. The book is being given to him/her.

21 Passive + IO + agent S + passive V + kwa + IO + na + Agent Kitabu kinapewa yeye na mwalimu. The book is being given to him/her by the teacher.

22 Passive + adverb S + passive V + Time Kitabu kinasomwa leo. The book is being read today.

23 Passive + location S + passive V + Location Kitabu kinawekwa juu ya meza. The book is being put on the table.

24 Passive + agent + adverb S + passive V + Time + na + Agent Kitabu kinasomwa leo na yeye. The book is being read by him/her today.

25 Passive + agent + IO + adverb S + passive V + Time + kwa + IO + na + Agent Kitabu kinapewa leo kwa mwanafunzi na mwalimu. The book is being given to the student by the teacher today.

26 Perfect passive S + me + passive V Kitabu kimesomwa. The book has been read.

27 Perfect passive + agent S + me + passive V + na + Agent Kitabu kimesomwa na yeye. The book has been read by him/her.

28 Future passive S + ta + passive V Kitabu kitasomwa. The book will be read.

29 Future passive + agent S + ta + passive V + na + Agent Kitabu kitasomwa na yeye. The book will be read by him/her.

30 Modal passive S + modal + passive subjunctive Kitabu lazima kisomwe. The book must be read.

31 Negative S + negative + V + DO Sisomi kitabu. I do not read the book.

32 Negative passive S + negative + passive V + na + Agent Kitabu hakisomwi na yeye. The book is not being read by him/her.

33 Yes/no question S + V + DO? Unasoma kitabu? Do you read the book?

34 Passive question S + passive V? Kitabu kinasomwa? Is the book being read?

35 Agent question Nani + V + DO? Nani anasoma kitabu? Who is reading the book?

36 IO question Nani + IO-marker + V + DO? Unampa nani kitabu? To whom do you give the book?

37 Imperative Imperative + DO Soma kitabu! Read the book!

38 Imperative + IO Imperative + IO-marker + DO Mpe kitabu! Give him/her the book!

39 Passive imperative Subjunctive passive Kitabu kisomwe! Let the book be read!

40 Verbal noun ku + V Kusoma Reading

41 Verbal noun + DO ku + V + DO Kusoma kitabu Reading the book

42 Infinitive ku + V Kusoma To read

43 Purpose S + V + ili/ili kwamba + subjunctive Ninakula ili nicheze. I eat in order to play.

44 Relative clause N + relative construction Kitabu ninachosoma kinavutia. The book that I am reading is interesting.

45 Passive relative N + relative + passive V Kitabu kilichosomwa na yeye kinavutia. The book that was read by him/her is interesting.

46 Conditional Kama/ikiwa + clause, conditional + V Kama nina muda, nitasoma kitabu. If I have time, I will read the book.

47 Conditional + passive Kama + passive clause, conditional passive Kama kitabu kingesomwa, angejifunza. If the book were read, he/she would learn.

48 Reported speech S + V + kwamba + clause Anasema kwamba anasoma kitabu. He/she says that he/she is reading a book.

49 Reported question S + V + kama + clause Anauliza kama ninasoma kitabu. He/she asks if I am reading the book.

50 Reported command/request S + V + IO + subjunctive Ananiambia nisome kitabu. He/she tells me to read the book.

ADVERBS:

1 Manner Verb + manner adverb / often after the verb Nasoma kitabu kwa haraka. I read the book quickly.

2 Place Place adverb + Verb/Clause Nasoma kitabu hapa. I read the book here.

3 Time Time adverb + Clause / beginning or end Jana, nilisoma kitabu. Yesterday, I read the book.

4 Frequency Frequency adverb + Verb Mara nyingi nasoma vitabu. I often read books.

5 Frequency + be Subject + ni/kuwa + Frequency expression + Predicate Yeye yuko kila mara mwenye furaha. He is always happy.

6 Frequency + auxiliary Frequency adverb + Subject + Verb Kamwe sijamwona. I have never seen him.

7 Degree Degree adverb + Adjective Ni sana nzuri. It is very good.

8 Degree + verb Degree/intensity adverb + Verb Ninaipenda sana. I really like it.

9 Sentence adverb Sentence adverb + Clause Kwa bahati nzuri, nilishinda. Fortunately, I won.

10 Comment adverb Comment expression + Clause Kwa kweli, sijui. Honestly / truly, I don't know.

11 Linking adverb Linking expression + Clause Nilikuwa nimechoka. Hata hivyo, niliendelea kufanya kazi. I was tired; however, I continued working.

12 Direction Directional adverb + Verb Alitoka nje. He went outside.

13 Definite frequency kila + Time noun Nasoma kila siku. I read every day.

14 Duration kwa + Duration expression Nilisoma kwa saa mbili. I studied for two hours.

15 Purpose ili + infinitive / ili + subject + verb Ninaenda huko ili kusoma. I am going there to study.

INDIRECT OBJECT:

Direct object S + V + DO Ninasoma kitabu. I read the book.

IO with marker S + Tense + IO-marker + V + DO Ninampa mtoto kitabu. I give the child a book.

IO pronoun only S + Tense + IO-marker + V + DO Ninampa kitabu. I give him/her the book.

Beneficiary S + V-ia/e + beneficiary + DO Ninamnunulia mtoto kitabu. I buy the child a book.

GENITIVE:

Possession N + connector + possessor Kitabu cha mtoto The child's book

Ownership N + connector + name Gari la Ali Ali's car

Family relationship N + connector + N Baba wa Juma Juma's father

Part–whole N + connector + N Mlango wa nyumba The door of the house

Material N + connector + material Pete ya dhahabu A gold ring

Quantity/content N + connector + N Kikombe cha chai A cup of tea

Origin N + connector + place Lugha ya Tanzania The language of Tanzania

1 M-WA m-/mw- wa- wa mtoto wa mwalimu = the teacher's child

2 M-WA — wa- wa watoto wa mwalimu = the teacher's children

3 M-MI m-/mw- mi- wa mti wa nyumba = the tree of the house

4 M-MI — mi- ya miti ya nyumba = the trees of the house

5 JI-MA ji-/Ø ma- la gari la Ali = Ali's car

6 JI-MA — ma- ya magari ya Ali = Ali's cars

7 KI-VI ki- vi- cha kitabu cha Ali = Ali's book

8 KI-VI — vi- vya vitabu vya Ali = Ali's books

9 N often N-/ny- same ya nyumba ya Ali = Ali's house

10 N — same za nyumba za Ali = Ali's houses

11 U u- varies wa ulimi wa mtoto = the child's tongue

INDEPENDENT:

Class Agreement My / mine Your / yours His/Hers Our / ours Your pl. / yours Their / theirs

1 M-WA w- wangu wako wake wetu wenu wao

2 M-WA w- wangu wako wake wetu wenu wao

3 M-MI w- wangu wako wake wetu wenu wao

4 M-MI y- yangu yako yake yetu yenu yao

5 JI-MA l- langu lako lake letu lenu lao

6 JI-MA y- yangu yako yake yetu yenu yao

7 KI-VI ch- changu chako chake chetu chenu chao

8 KI-VI vy- vyangu vyako vyake vyetu vyenu vyao

9 N y- yangu yako yake yetu yenu yao

10 N z- zangu zako zake zetu zenu zao

11 U w- wangu wako wake wetu wenu wao

Hiki ni changu. This is mine. (class 7 noun)

Hili ni langu. This is mine. (class 5 noun)

WAS GOING TO:

Subject + -li- + kuwa + na + infinitive

I was going to eat Nilitaka kula. ni-li-taka ku-la

You were going to eat Ulitaka kula. u-li-taka ku-la

He/she was going to eat Alitaka kula. a-li-taka ku-la

We were going to eat Tulitaka kula. tu-li-taka ku-la

You were going to eat Mlitaka kula. m-li-taka ku-la

They were going to eat Walitaka kula. wa-li-taka ku-la

I was planning to eat Nilipanga kula.

You were planning to eat Ulipanga kula.

He/she was planning to eat Alipanga kula.

We were planning to eat Tulipanga kula.

They were planning to eat Walipanga kula.

Alikuwa karibu kuondoka. He/she was about to leave. (Subject + -likuwa + karibu + infinitive)

Nilitaka kula, lakini nililala. I was going to eat, but I fell asleep.

I was going to eat Nilitaka kula.

I was going to drink Nilitaka kunywa.

I was going to sleep Nilitaka kulala.

I was going to read Nilitaka kusoma.

I was going to study Nilitaka kusoma.

I was going to write Nilitaka kuandika.

I was going to work Nilitaka kufanya kazi.

I was going to leave Nilitaka kuondoka.

I was going to go Nilitaka kwenda.

I was going to come Nilitaka kuja.

I was going to buy it Nilitaka kukinunua.

I was going to see him Nilitaka kumwona.

2- NOUNS

PLURAL:

Noun Class Singular Prefix Plural Prefix Main Uses Example

1/2 (M-WA) m-/mw- wa- People, occupations, nationalities, personified beings, some animals mtoto → watoto (child → children), mwalimu → walimu (teacher → teachers), mgeni → wageni (visitor → visitors)

3/4 (M-MI) m- mi- Trees, plants, natural objects, long/thin objects, some body parts mti → miti (tree → trees), mto → mito (river → rivers), mkono → mikono (arm → arms)

5/6 (JI-MA) ji-/Ø ma- Fruits, paired body parts, many borrowed words, augmentatives, masses yai → mayai (egg → eggs), jicho → macho (eye → eyes), gari → magari (car → cars)

7/8 (KI-VI) ki- vi- Tools, instruments, languages, diminutives, objects kitabu → vitabu (book → books), kisu → visu (knife → knives), kiti → viti (chair → chairs)

9/10 (N) N-/Ø N-/Ø Animals, many loanwords, foods, objects, places nyumba → nyumba (house → houses), ndege → ndege (bird → birds), barua → barua (letter → letters)

11/10 or 11/6 (U) u- usually N- or ma- Long objects, some natural objects, some body parts ulimi → ndimi (tongue → tongues), ua → maua (flower → flowers)

14 u- (usually none) Abstract nouns, qualities, states utoto (childhood), uzuri (beauty), uhuru (freedom)

15 ku- (none) Verbal infinitives used as nouns kusoma (reading/to read), kuimba (singing/to sing)

16 pa- — Specific location ("at") mahali pale (that place there)

17 ku- — General location, direction ("to") kule (over there)

18 mu- — Inside, enclosed location ("in") mle (in there)

CASES:

Nominative (Subject) No marker Subject + Verb Mtoto anasoma. The child is reading.

Accusative (Direct Object) No marker Subject + Verb + Object Ninaona mtoto. I see the child.

Dative (Indirect Object) Object marker or kwa Subject + OM + Verb + Object Nilimpa mtoto kitabu. I gave the child a book.

Genitive (Possession) -a connector Noun + connector + possessor Kitabu cha mtoto The child's book

Instrumental kwa Verb + kwa + noun Anaandika kwa kalamu. He writes with a pen.

Comitative (With) na Verb + na + noun Anaenda na rafiki. He goes with a friend.

Locative (In/At/On) -ni, kwenye, katika Noun + locative Shuleni At school

Ablative (From) kutoka kutoka + noun Kutoka Nairobi From Nairobi

Allative (To/Towards) kwa, kwenda, -ni kwenda + place Anaenda shuleni. He goes to school.

Vocative No marker Name only Juma! Juma!

INDIRECT OBJECT: Subject + Object Marker (Only for pronouns) + Verb + Indirect Object (optional) + Direct Object

Subject + Tense + Object Marker + Verb Root

me ni- alinipa = he gave me

you (sing.) ku- alikupa = he gave you

him/her m- alimpa = he gave him/her

us tu- alitupa = he gave us

you (pl.) wa- aliwapa = he gave you (pl.)

them wa- aliwapa = he gave them

Subject + Tense + Object Marker + Verb Root

I gave the child a book. Nilimpa mtoto kitabu.

GENITIVE:

Possession noun + connector + possessor Kitabu cha mtoto The child's book

Ownership noun + connector + name Gari la Ali Ali's car

Family relationship noun + connector + noun Baba wa Juma Juma's father

Part–whole noun + connector + noun Mlango wa nyumba The door of the house

Material noun + connector + material Pete ya dhahabu A ring of gold / A gold ring

Quantity noun + connector + noun Kikombe cha chai A cup of tea

Origin noun + connector + place Lugha ya Tanzania The language of Tanzania

3- ADJECTIVES:

Attributive noun + adjective mtoto mdogo small child

Predicate noun + ni + adjective Mtoto ni mdogo. The child is small.

Noun Class Big Small Good New

M-WA (sg.) mkubwa mdogo mzuri mpya

M-WA (pl.) wakubwa wadogo wazuri wapya

M-MI (sg.) mkubwa mdogo mzuri mpya

M-MI (pl.) mikubwa midogo mizuri mipya

KI-VI (sg.) kikubwa kidogo kizuri kipya

KI-VI (pl.) vikubwa vidogo vizuri vipya

JI-MA (sg.) kubwa dogo zuri jipya

JI-MA (pl.) makubwa madogo mazuri mapya

N (sg./pl.) kubwa ndogo nzuri mpya

TO BE VERB:

1. ni – Identity / Classification

The particle ni means is/am/are when identifying or classifying someone or something.

Formation

Subject + ni + Noun

Examples

English Swahili

I am a teacher. Mimi ni mwalimu.

He is a doctor. Yeye ni daktari.

She is a student. Yeye ni mwanafunzi.

We are friends. Sisi ni marafiki.

They are children. Wao ni watoto.

Notice that ni does not change for person or number.

2. Predicate Adjectives (Usually No "ni")

When describing qualities, Swahili often does not use a separate verb "to be." The adjective agrees with the noun class.

Formation

Subject + Adjective

Examples

English Swahili

The child is small. Mtoto ni mdogo. (also commonly simply Mtoto mdogo in some contexts)

The tree is tall. Mti ni mrefu.

The book is big. Kitabu ni kikubwa.

The houses are big. Nyumba ni kubwa.

In everyday speech, ni is often used with adjectives for clear predication:

Mtoto ni mdogo.

Kitabu ni kizuri.

3. -ko – Location ("to be at")

For location, Swahili uses subject marker + -ko.

Present Tense

English Swahili

I am here. Niko hapa.

You are here. Uko hapa.

He is here. Yuko hapa.

We are here. Tuko hapa.

They are here. Wako hapa.

More examples

English Swahili

He is at school. Yuko shuleni.

She is at home. Yuko nyumbani.

We are in town. Tuko mjini.

4. kuwa – The Infinitive "To Be"

The dictionary form is:

kuwa = to be

It is used:

after modal verbs

after infinitives

in future or subordinate constructions

Examples

English Swahili

I want to be a doctor. Ninataka kuwa daktari.

It is good to be honest. Ni vizuri kuwa mwaminifu.

He hopes to be a teacher. Anatumaini kuwa mwalimu.

5. Past and Future Forms of "To Be"

Swahili uses forms of kuwa.

Past

English Swahili

I was Nilikuwa

You were Ulikuwa

He was Alikuwa

We were Tulikuwa

They were Walikuwa

Examples

Nilikuwa mwanafunzi.

I was a student.

Alikuwa nyumbani.

He was at home.

Future

English Swahili

I will be Nitakuwa

You will be Utakuwa

He will be Atakuwa

We will be Tutakuwa

They will be Watakuwa

Examples

Nitakuwa mwalimu.

I will be a teacher.

Watakuwa hapa.

They will be here.

Perfect

English Swahili

I have been Nimekuwa

He has been Amekuwa

We have been Tumekuwa

Examples

Amekuwa mgonjwa.

He has been sick.

Nimekuwa hapa siku mbili.

I have been here for two days.

6. Negative Forms

Identity

English Swahili

I am not a teacher. Mimi si mwalimu.

He is not a doctor. Yeye si daktari.

They are not students. Wao si wanafunzi.

Notice:

si = is not / am not / are not (for identity)

Location

English Swahili

I am not here. Siko hapa.

He is not at school. Hayuko shuleni.

We are not home. Hatuko nyumbani.

Past

English Swahili

I was not Sikuwa

He was not Hakuwa

We were not Hatukuwa

Example

Hakuwa nyumbani.

He was not at home.

Future

English Swahili

I will not be Sitakuwa

He will not be Hatakuwa

They will not be Hawatakuwa

7. Common Expressions

English Swahili

I am happy. Nina furaha. / Nimefurahi.

I am hungry. Nina njaa.

I am thirsty. Nina kiu.

I am tired. Nimechoka.

I am sick. Ninaumwa / Mimi ni mgonjwa.

I am ready. Niko tayari.

Many common states are not expressed with "to be" but with verbs or expressions like kuwa na ("to have") or stative verbs.

4- PRONOUNS:

1. Personal (Independent) Pronouns

These are mainly used for emphasis, contrast, or after prepositions. The subject is normally shown by the subject marker on the verb.

English Independent Pronoun Subject Marker Object Marker

I mimi ni- -ni-

You (sing.) wewe u- -ku-

He/She yeye a- -m-

We sisi tu- -tu-

You (plural) ninyi m- -wa-

They wao wa- -wa-

Examples

English Swahili

I read. Ninasoma.

I am reading. (emphasis) Mimi ninasoma.

They are coming. Wanakuja.

They are coming. (emphasis) Wao wanakuja.

2. Subject Markers

These function like subject pronouns attached to the verb.

Person Marker Example Translation

I ni- Ninasoma. I am reading.

You u- Unasoma. You are reading.

He/She a- Anasoma. He/She is reading.

We tu- Tunasoma. We are reading.

You (pl.) m- Mnasoma. You (all) are reading.

They wa- Wanasoma. They are reading.

3. Object Pronouns (Object Markers)

Instead of separate object pronouns, Swahili usually attaches them to the verb.

English Marker Example Translation

me -ni- Ananiona. He sees me.

you -ku- Ninakupenda. I love you.

him/her -m- Ninamwona. I see him/her.

us -tu- Anatusaidia. He helps us.

you (pl.) -wa- Ninawaona. I see you (all).

them -wa- Ninawaona. I see them.

4. Possessive Pronouns

These agree with the noun class of the possessed noun.

Using the common singular forms:

English Form Example Translation

my -angu kitabu changu my book

your -ako kitabu chako your book

his/her -ake kitabu chake his/her book

our -etu kitabu chetu our book

your (pl.) -enu kitabu chenu your (plural) book

their -ao kitabu chao their book

Examples with different noun classes:

English Swahili

my child mtoto wangu

my tree mti wangu

my book kitabu changu

my books vitabu vyangu

my house nyumba yangu

5. Reflexive Pronouns

Swahili uses the reflexive marker -ji-.

Formation

Subject Marker + Tense + ji + Verb

English Swahili

I see myself. Ninajiona.

He hurt himself. Alijiumiza.

We taught ourselves. Tulijifunza.

6. Reciprocal Pronouns

Meaning each other, formed with the suffix -ana.

English Swahili

They love each other. Wanapendana.

We help each other. Tunasaidiana.

The children know each other. Watoto wanajuana.

7. Demonstrative Pronouns

These agree with the noun class.

M-WA Class

English Singular Plural

this huyu hawa

that yule wale

KI-VI Class

English Singular Plural

this hiki hivi

that kile vile

Examples

English Swahili

this child mtoto huyu

this is a child mtoto ni huyu

these children watoto hawa

this book kitabu hiki

those books vitabu vile

10. Indefinite Pronouns

Swahili English

kila mtu everyone

mtu yeyote anyone

hakuna mtu nobody

chochote anything

kitu fulani something

wote everyone / all

mwingine another

Examples

English Swahili

Everyone came. Kila mtu alikuja.

Nobody knows. Hakuna mtu anayejua.

I need something. Nahitaji kitu fulani.

11. Pronouns After Prepositions

Independent pronouns are used after prepositions.

English Swahili

with me na mimi

with you na wewe

for him kwa yeye

with us na sisi

to them kwa wao

5- VERB TENSES:

I read ninasoma

You read unasoma

He/she reads anasoma

We read tunasoma

You (pl.) read mnasoma

They read wanasoma

PAST:

I read nilisoma

You read ulisoma

He/she read alisoma

We read tulisoma

You (pl.) read mlisoma

They read walisoma

I was reading nilikuwa ninasoma

You were reading ulikuwa unasoma

He/she was reading alikuwa anasoma

We were reading tulikuwa tunasoma

You (pl.) were reading mlikuwa mnasoma

They were reading walikuwa wanasoma

I will read nitasoma

You will read utasoma

He/she will read atasoma

We will read tutasoma

You (pl.) will read mtasoma

They will read watasoma

I will be reading nitakuwa ninasoma

You will be reading utakuwa unasoma

He/she will be reading atakuwa anasoma

We will be reading tutakuwa tunasoma

You (pl.) will be reading mtakuwa mnasoma

They will be reading watakuwa wanasoma

I have read nimesoma

You have read umesoma

He/she has read amesoma

We have read tumesoma

You (pl.) have read mmesoma

They have read wamesoma

I had read nilikuwa nimesoma

You had read ulikuwa umesoma

He/she had read alikuwa amesoma

We had read tulikuwa tumesoma

You (pl.) had read mlikuwa mmesoma

They had read walikuwa wamesoma

I will have read nitakuwa nimesoma

You will have read utakuwa umesoma

He/she will have read atakuwa amesoma

We will have read tutakuwa tumesoma

You (pl.) will have read mtakuwa mmesoma

They will have read watakuwa wamesoma

I have been reading nimekuwa ninasoma

You have been reading umekuwa unasoma

He/she has been reading amekuwa anasoma

We have been reading tumekuwa tunasoma

You (pl.) have been reading mmekuwa mnasoma

They have been reading wamekuwa wanasoma

I had been reading nilikuwa nimekuwa ninasoma

You had been reading ulikuwa umekuwa unasoma

He/she had been reading alikuwa amekuwa anasoma

We had been reading tulikuwa tumekuwa tunasoma

You (pl.) had been reading mlikuwa mmekuwa mnasoma

They had been reading walikuwa wamekuwa wanasoma

I will have been reading nitakuwa nimekuwa ninasoma

You will have been reading utakuwa umekuwa unasoma

He/she will have been reading atakuwa amekuwa anasoma

We will have been reading tutakuwa tumekuwa tunasoma

You (pl.) will have been reading mtakuwa mmekuwa mnasoma

They will have been reading watakuwa wamekuwa wanasoma

Husoma. – He/She usually reads.

Hula mapema. – He/She usually eats early.

Akaenda, akasoma, akarudi. Then he went, read, and returned.

SUBJUNCTIVE:

Formation

For regular verbs:

SM + verb with final -e

Example:

Nisome.

Let me read / that I read.

Usome.

Read / let you read.

Asome.

Let him/her read.

Tusome.

Let us read.

Msome.

Read, you all.

Wasome.

Let them read.

6- PASSIVE TENSES:

I am read ninasomwa

You are read unasomwa

He/she is read anasomwa

We are read tunasomwa

You (pl.) are read mnasomwa

They are read wanasomwa

I was read nilisomwa

You were read ulisomwa

He/she was read alisomwa

We were read tulisomwa

You (pl.) were read mlisomwa

They were read walisomwa

I will be read nitasomwa

You will be read utasomwa

He/she will be read atasomwa

We will be read tutasomwa

You (pl.) will be read mtasomwa

They will be read watasomwa

I was being read nilikuwa nasomwa

You were being read ulikuwa unasomwa

He/she was being read alikuwa anasomwa

We were being read tulikuwa tunasomwa

You (pl.) were being read mlikuwa mnasomwa

They were being read walikuwa wanasomwa

I will be being read nitakuwa nasomwa

You will be being read utakuwa unasomwa

He/she will be being read atakuwa anasomwa

We will be being read tutakuwa tunasomwa

They will be being read watakuwa wanasomwa

I have been read nimesomwa

You have been read umesomwa

He/she has been read amesomwa

We have been read tumesomwa

You (pl.) have been read mmesomwa

They have been read wamesomwa

-ilikuwa + me + passive

I had been read nilikuwa nimesomwa

You had been read ulikuwa umesomwa

He/she had been read alikuwa amesomwa

We had been read tulikuwa tumesomwa

You (pl.) had been read mlikuwa mmesomwa

They had been read walikuwa wamesomwa

I will have been read nitakuwa nimesomwa

You will have been read utakuwa umesomwa

He/she will have been read atakuwa amesomwa

We will have been read tutakuwa tumesomwa

They will have been read watakuwa wamesomwa

7- NEGATION:

I do not read Sisomi

You do not read Husomi

He/She does not read Hasomi

We do not read Hatusomi

You (plural) do not read Hamsomi

They do not read Hawasomi

I did not read Sikusoma

You did not read Hukusoma

He/She did not read Hakusoma

We did not read Hatukusoma

You (plural) did not read Hamkusoma

They did not read Hawakusoma

I will not read Sitasoma

You will not read Hutasoma

He/She will not read Hatasoma

We will not read Hatutasoma

You (plural) will not read Hamtasoma

They will not read Hawatasoma

I have not read Sijasoma

You have not read Hujasoma

He/She has not read Hajasoma

We have not read Hatujasoma

You (plural) have not read Hamjasoma

They have not read Hawajasoma

I had not read Nilikuwa sijaisoma

You had not read Ulikuwa hujasoma

He/She had not read Alikuwa hajaisoma

We had not read Tulikuwa hatujasoma

You (plural) had not read Mlikuwa hamjasoma

They had not read Walikuwa hawajasom

I was not reading Sikuwa nasoma

You were not reading Hukuwa unasoma

He/She was not reading Hakuwa anasoma

We were not reading Hatukuwa tunasoma

You (plural) were not reading Hamkuwa mnasoma

They were not reading Hawakuwa wanasoma

I will not be reading Sitakuwa nasoma

You will not be reading Hutakuwa unasoma

He/She will not be reading Hatakuwa anasoma

We will not be reading Hatutakuwa tunasoma

You (plural) will not be reading Hamtakuwa mnasoma

They will not be reading Hawata kuwa wanasoma

I have not been reading Sijawa nikisoma

You have not been reading Hujawa ukisoma

He/She has not been reading Hajawa akisoma

We have not been reading Hatujawa tukisoma

You (plural) have not been reading Hamjawa mkisoma

They have not been reading Hawajawa wakisoma

I do not usually read Sisomi kwa kawaida

He does not usually read Hasomi kwa kawaida

They do not usually read Hawasomi kwa kawaida

Do not read! (one person) Usisome!

Do not read! (many people) Msisome!

22. Negative Subjunctive

Formation

SM + -si- + Verb

Example:

Nisisome.

Let me not read.

Usisome.

Don't read.

Asisome.

Let him/her not read.

Mimi si mwanafunzi. I am not a student.

8- QUESTIONS:

YES/NO QUESTIONS:

There are 2 ways to make a yes/no question:

1- Same sentence structure, just add a question mark.

Unakula. -> Unakula?

Anaenda. -> Anaenda?

Wanasoma. -> Wanasoma?

Umefika. -> Umefika?

2- Je + sentence?

Je, unasoma kitabu? Are you reading a book?

QUESTION WORDS:

nani who

nini what

wapi where

lini when

kwa nini why

vipi how

gani which

wangapi how many (people)

ngapi how many (things)

kiasi gani How much

ya nani / cha nani / wa nani Whose (The form depends on the noun class.)

Una watoto wangapi? How many children do you have?

Hii ni kiasi gani? How much is this?

Who? — subject nani Nani + Verb Nani anakuja?

Who? — object nani Subject + Verb + nani Unamwona nani?

What? nini Subject + Verb + nini Unakula nini?

Where? wapi Subject + Verb + wapi Unaishi wapi?

When? lini Subject + Verb + lini Utakuja lini?

Why? kwa nini Kwa nini + Subject + Verb Kwa nini unaenda?

How? vipi Subject + Verb + vipi Utafanya vipi?

Which? -gani Subject + Verb + N + gani Unataka kitabu gani?

How many? -ngapi Subject + Verb + Noun + ngapi Una watoto wangapi?

Whose? nani N + GEN + nani Kitabu cha nani?

9- ADVERBS:

# Swahili Transliteration English

1 vizuri vizuri well

2 vibaya vibaya badly

3 haraka haraka quickly / fast

4 polepole polepole slowly

5 taratibu taratibu slowly / carefully

6 kwa urahisi kwa urahisi easily

7 kwa shida kwa shida with difficulty

8 kwa makini kwa makini carefully

9 kwa bahati kwa bahati luckily / fortunately

10 kwa bahati mbaya kwa bahati mbaya unfortunately

11 kimya kimya quietly

12 kimyakimya kimyakimya quietly / silently

13 wazi wazi openly / clearly

14 kwa uwazi kwa uwazi clearly / openly

15 pamoja pamoja together

16 peke yake peke yake alone

17 kisiri kisiri secretly

18 kwa siri kwa siri secretly

19 kwa nguvu kwa nguvu forcefully / strongly

20 sana sana very / greatly

21 kabisa kabisa completely / absolutely

22 bure bure freely / for nothing

23 namna hii namna hii in this way

24 namna hiyo namna hiyo in that way

25 namna gani namna gani how / in what way

2. Place adverbs — Mahali

# Swahili Transliteration English

1 hapa hapa here

2 hapo hapo there

3 pale pale there / over there

4 huku huku here / this side

5 huko huko there / that side

6 kule kule over there

7 humu humu in here

8 humo humo in there

9 mle mle in there / over there

10 ndani ndani inside

11 nje nje outside

12 juu juu above / up

13 chini chini below / down

14 karibu karibu nearby / near

15 mbali mbali far

16 mbele mbele in front / ahead

17 nyuma nyuma behind / back

18 pembeni pembeni beside / to the side

19 katikati katikati in the middle

20 mahali popote mahali popote anywhere

21 mahali fulani mahali fulani somewhere

22 kila mahali kila mahali everywhere

23 popote popote anywhere / wherever

24 kote kote everywhere / all around

25 huko juu huko juu up there

26 huko chini huko chini down there

27 hapa karibu hapa karibu nearby here

28 mbali sana mbali sana very far

3. Time adverbs — Wakati

# Swahili Transliteration English

1 sasa sasa now

2 leo leo today

3 jana jana yesterday

4 kesho kesho tomorrow

5 juzi juzi the day before yesterday / recently

6 kesho kutwa kesho kutwa the day after tomorrow

7 zamani zamani formerly / long ago

8 awali awali previously

9 hapo awali hapo awali previously

10 baadaye baadaye later

11 baadaye kidogo baadaye kidogo a little later

12 mara moja mara moja immediately / at once

13 mara mara once / time

14 kwanza kwanza first / firstly

15 mwanzoni mwanzoni at first / initially

16 mwishoni mwishoni at the end

17 hatimaye hatimaye finally / eventually

18 tayari tayari already

19 bado bado still / yet

20 kamwe kamwe ever / never

21 milele milele forever / ever

22 daima daima always

23 siku zote siku zote always

24 kila mara kila mara every time / always

25 mara nyingi mara nyingi often

26 mara kwa mara mara kwa mara frequently / from time to time

27 wakati mwingine wakati mwingine sometimes

28 mara chache mara chache rarely

29 kamwe tena kamwe tena never again

30 hivi karibuni hivi karibuni recently / soon

31 punde punde soon

32 punde si punde punde si punde shortly / soon

33 sasa hivi sasa hivi right now

34 wakati huo wakati huo at that time

35 wakati huu wakati huu at this time

36 siku hizi siku hizi nowadays

37 kila siku kila siku every day

38 kila wiki kila wiki every week

39 kila mwezi kila mwezi every month

40 kila mwaka kila mwaka every year

4. Frequency adverbs — Marudio

# Swahili Transliteration English

1 daima daima always

2 siku zote siku zote always

3 kila mara kila mara always / every time

4 mara nyingi mara nyingi often

5 mara kwa mara mara kwa mara frequently

6 wakati mwingine wakati mwingine sometimes

7 mara chache mara chache rarely

8 kwa nadra kwa nadra rarely

9 kamwe kamwe ever / never

10 daima daima continually / always

11 tena tena again

12 mara mbili mara mbili twice

13 mara tatu mara tatu three times

14 mara kadhaa mara kadhaa several times

5. Degree and quantity — Kiwango / Kiasi

# Swahili Transliteration English

1 sana sana very / much

2 mno mno very much / excessively

3 kabisa kabisa completely / absolutely

4 kidogo kidogo a little

5 kiasi kiasi somewhat / to some extent

6 kiasi fulani kiasi fulani to some extent

7 zaidi zaidi more

8 zaidi sana zaidi sana much more

9 chini chini less / below

10 karibu karibu almost / nearly

11 takriban takriban approximately

12 karibu kabisa karibu kabisa almost completely

13 mno sana mno sana extremely

14 kiasi gani kiasi gani how much / to what extent

15 kiasi hiki kiasi hiki this much

16 kiasi hicho kiasi hicho that much

17 kiasi kile kiasi kile that much over there / that amount

Examples:

Anafurahi sana. — He/she is very happy.

Ninakupenda sana. — I love you very much.

Amekula kidogo. — He/she has eaten a little.

Karibu amefika. — He/she has almost arrived.

Ni zaidi ya kutosha. — It is more than enough.

6. Affirmative adverbs — Uthibitisho

# Swahili Transliteration English

1 ndiyo ndiyo yes

2 kweli kweli truly / really

3 hakika hakika certainly / indeed

4 bila shaka bila shaka without doubt

5 kwa kweli kwa kweli truly / really

6 bila budi bila budi inevitably / certainly

7 naam naam yes / indeed

8 sawasawa sawasawa exactly / correctly

9 hasa hasa especially / exactly

10 hakika kabisa hakika kabisa absolutely certainly

7. Negative adverbs — Ukanushaji

Swahili expresses negation primarily through negative verb prefixes, but several independent negative adverbs/adverbial expressions are also important.

# Swahili Transliteration English

1 hapana hapana no / there isn't

2 la la no

3 kamwe kamwe never / ever

4 kamwe kabisa kamwe kabisa absolutely never

5 hata kidogo hata kidogo not at all

6 si kamwe si kamwe never

7 bila bila without

8 bure bure in vain / for nothing

9 bado bado not yet / still

10 tena tena anymore / again, depending on context

Important: words such as si, ha-, hu-, ki-, hatu-, ham-, hawa- are primarily part of the negative verbal system, rather than independent adverbs.

8. Probability and possibility — Uwezekano

# Swahili Transliteration English

1 labda labda perhaps / maybe

2 pengine pengine perhaps / maybe

3 huenda huenda perhaps / possibly

4 yawezekana yawezekana possibly / it is possible

5 inawezekana inawezekana it is possible

6 bila shaka bila shaka certainly

7 huenda ikawa huenda ikawa it may be

8 kuna uwezekano kuna uwezekano there is a possibility

9 kwa uwezekano kwa uwezekano probably / possibly

10 inaonekana inaonekana apparently / it seems

Example:

Labda atakuja kesho.

Labda atakuja kesho.

Perhaps he/she will come tomorrow.

9. Doubt and uncertainty — Shaka / Kutokuwa na uhakika

# Swahili Transliteration English

1 labda labda perhaps

2 pengine pengine perhaps

3 huenda huenda possibly

4 yawezekana yawezekana possibly

5 inawezekana inawezekana it is possible

6 inaonekana inaonekana apparently / seemingly

7 kwa shaka kwa shaka doubtfully

8 bila uhakika bila uhakika uncertainly / without certainty

9 sijui sijui I don't know

10 nani ajuaye? nani ajuaye? who knows?

10. Question / interrogative adverbs

# Swahili Transliteration English

1 lini? lini? when?

2 wapi? wapi? where?

3 vipi? vipi? how?

4 kwa nini? kwa nini? why?

5 kwa namna gani? kwa namna gani? how / in what way?

6 kiasi gani? kiasi gani? how much?

7 mara ngapi? mara ngapi? how many times / how often?

8 mpaka lini? mpaka lini? until when?

9 tangu lini? tangu lini? since when?

10 wapi hasa? wapi hasa? exactly where?

11. Relative adverbial forms

Swahili does not have a direct one-to-one equivalent of English where, when, why as a special closed relative-adverb class. It commonly uses relative constructions.

Swahili Transliteration English

mahali ambapo mahali ambapo the place where

wakati ambapo wakati ambapo the time when

sababu ambayo sababu ambayo the reason which/that

kwa sababu kwa sababu because

ambako ambako where / in which

ambapo ambapo where / in which / when

wakati ambapo wakati ambapo when / at the time that

Example:

Hii ndiyo nyumba ambapo aliishi.

Hii ndiyo nyumba ambapo aliishi.

This is the house where he/she lived.

12. Directional adverbs

Swahili Transliteration English

juu juu up / upward

chini chini down / downward

mbele mbele forward / ahead

nyuma nyuma backward / behind

upande huu upande huu this way

upande huo upande huo that way

upande ule upande ule that way over there

huku huku this way / toward here

huko huko that way / toward there

kule kule over there

ndani ndani inward / inside

nje nje outward / outside

karibu karibu nearer

mbali mbali farther / far away

13. Sequence and order

Swahili Transliteration English

kwanza kwanza first / firstly

pili pili secondly

tatu tatu thirdly

kisha kisha then

halafu halafu then / afterwards

baadaye baadaye afterwards / later

hatimaye hatimaye finally

mwishowe mwishowe finally / in the end

awali awali previously

hapo awali hapo awali beforehand / previously

wakati huo huo wakati huo huo meanwhile / at the same time

wakati huo wakati huo at that time

baada ya hapo baada ya hapo after that

kabla ya hapo kabla ya hapo before that

14. Focus / emphasis adverbs

Swahili Transliteration English

hasa hasa especially / particularly

tu tu only / just

pekee pekee only / solely

pia pia also / too

hata hata even

zaidi zaidi more / especially

kabisa kabisa completely / absolutely

kweli kweli really / truly

hasa kabisa hasa kabisa especially / particularly

tu hivyo tu hivyo just so

hata hivyo hata hivyo nevertheless / even so

15. Limitation

Swahili Transliteration English

tu tu only

pekee pekee only / solely

peke yake peke yake alone / by itself

isipokuwa isipokuwa except / except for

ila ila except / only

zaidi ya zaidi ya more than

chini ya chini ya less than

Example:

Anaishi hapa tu.

Anaishi hapa tu.

He/she lives only here.

16. Addition

Swahili Transliteration English

pia pia also / too

tena tena again / additionally

vilevile vilevile likewise / also

kadhalika kadhalika likewise / also

pamoja na hayo pamoja na hayo in addition / besides that

zaidi ya hayo zaidi ya hayo furthermore / moreover

hata hata even

17. Contrast / concession

Swahili Transliteration English

hata hivyo hata hivyo however / nevertheless

ingawa hivyo ingawa hivyo although so

licha ya hayo licha ya hayo despite that

hata kama hata kama even if

hata ingawa hata ingawa even though

bado bado still / nevertheless

hata hivyo hata hivyo even so / nevertheless

18. Result / consequence

Swahili Transliteration English

hivyo hivyo thus / so

kwa hiyo kwa hiyo therefore / so

kwa hivyo kwa hivyo therefore / thus

basi basi then / therefore

hivyo basi hivyo basi therefore / thus then

hatimaye hatimaye finally / eventually

19. Cause / reason

Swahili Transliteration English

kwa sababu kwa sababu because

kwa kuwa kwa kuwa because / since

kwa vile kwa vile because / since

kutokana na kutokana na due to / because of

kwa sababu hiyo kwa sababu hiyo for that reason

ndiyo maana ndiyo maana that is why

These are technically adverbial/conjunctional expressions, rather than simple adverbs.

20. Approximation

Swahili Transliteration English

karibu karibu approximately / almost

takriban takriban approximately

kama kama about / approximately, in some contexts

karibu na karibu na close to / approximately

zaidi au chini zaidi au chini more or less

takribani takribani approximately

21. Duration

Swahili Transliteration English

daima daima always / continually

milele milele forever

muda mrefu muda mrefu for a long time

muda mfupi muda mfupi for a short time

kwa muda kwa muda for a while

kwa muda mrefu kwa muda mrefu for a long time

kwa muda mfupi kwa muda mfupi briefly / for a short time

siku zote siku zote all the time

kwa muda wote kwa muda wote throughout the whole time

22. Recurrence / repetition

Swahili Transliteration English

tena tena again

mara nyingine mara nyingine again / another time

mara kwa mara mara kwa mara repeatedly / frequently

mara nyingi mara nyingi often

kila mara kila mara every time

tena na tena tena na tena again and again

mara kadhaa mara kadhaa several times

mara moja mara moja once / immediately

23. “Already / still / yet”

These are particularly important Swahili adverbial meanings.

Swahili Transliteration English

tayari tayari already

bado bado still

bado bado yet

sasa hivi sasa hivi right now

tena tena again / anymore

tena tena again

bado tena bado tena still again / once more, context-dependent

Examples:

Tayari amekula.

Tayari amekula.

He/she has already eaten.

Bado anasoma.

Bado anasoma.

He/she is still studying.

Hajafika bado.

Hajafika bado.

He/she has not arrived yet.

24. Adverbs formed from adjectives

Swahili often uses ki- constructions to express manner, rather than having a separate adverbial suffix equivalent to English -ly.

Adjective Manner form Transliteration English

zuri vizuri vizuri well

baya vibaya vibaya badly

refu kirefu kirefu at length / extensively

fupi kifupi kifupi briefly

kubwa kikubwa kikubwa greatly / considerably

kidogo kidogo kidogo a little

taratibu taratibu taratibu slowly

haraka haraka haraka quickly

For example:

Anaongea vizuri.

Anaongea vizuri.

He/she speaks well.

Alifanya kazi vizuri.

Alifanya kazi vizuri.

He/she did the work well.

25. Manner construction with kwa

Another extremely productive Swahili adverbial pattern is:

kwa + noun

Swahili Transliteration English

kwa makini kwa makini carefully

kwa haraka kwa haraka quickly

kwa polepole kwa polepole slowly

kwa furaha kwa furaha happily

kwa huzuni kwa huzuni sadly

kwa nguvu kwa nguvu strongly / forcefully

kwa urahisi kwa urahisi easily

kwa shida kwa shida with difficulty

kwa siri kwa siri secretly

kwa uwazi kwa uwazi openly

kwa bahati kwa bahati fortunately

kwa bahati mbaya kwa bahati mbaya unfortunately

kwa kawaida kwa kawaida normally / usually

kwa ujumla kwa ujumla generally

kwa hakika kwa hakika certainly

kwa kweli kwa kweli truly / really

kwa pamoja kwa pamoja together

kwa kiasi kwa kiasi moderately / to some extent

26. Compound / fixed adverbial expressions

Swahili Transliteration English

kwa kweli kwa kweli really / indeed

kwa hakika kwa hakika certainly

kwa kawaida kwa kawaida normally

kwa ujumla kwa ujumla generally

kwa bahati kwa bahati fortunately

kwa bahati mbaya kwa bahati mbaya unfortunately

bila shaka bila shaka undoubtedly

hata hivyo hata hivyo however

kwa hiyo kwa hiyo therefore

kwa hivyo kwa hivyo therefore

mara kwa mara mara kwa mara frequently

siku zote siku zote always

kila mara kila mara every time

wakati mwingine wakati mwingine sometimes

tena na tena tena na tena again and again

zaidi ya hayo zaidi ya hayo furthermore

pamoja na hayo pamoja na hayo in addition

baada ya hapo baada ya hapo afterwards

kabla ya hapo kabla ya hapo before that

kwa muda mrefu kwa muda mrefu for a long time

kwa muda mfupi kwa muda mfupi for a short time

hata kidogo hata kidogo not at all

peke yake peke yake alone / by itself

mahali popote mahali popote anywhere

kila mahali kila mahali everywhere

wakati huo huo wakati huo huo meanwhile / simultaneously

The main patterns to remember

Swahili adverbials can therefore be formed in several major ways:

Pattern Example Transliteration English

Simple adverb sana sana very / much

Simple place word hapa hapa here

Simple time word sasa sasa now

ki- manner form vizuri vizuri well

kwa + noun kwa makini kwa makini carefully

Place noun ndani ndani inside

Repeated expression polepole polepole slowly

Quantifying expression mara nyingi mara nyingi often

Prepositional phrase kwa bahati kwa bahati fortunately

Fixed adverbial phrase hata hivyo hata hivyo however

Question expression kwa nini? kwa nini? why?

Relative adverbial ambapo ambapo where / when

10- CONJUNCTIONS:

# Swahili Transliteration English

1 na na and

2 wala wala nor

3 au au or

4 ama ama or

5 lakini lakini but

6 ila ila but / except

7 bali bali but rather

8 tena tena and also / again

9 wala pia wala pia nor also

10 ama … ama … ama … ama … either … or …

11 si … bali … si … bali … not … but rather …

12 si … wala … si … wala … neither … nor …

Examples

Alienda na Maria.

Alienda na Maria.

He went with Maria / He went and Maria did too, depending on context.

Chai au kahawa?

Chai au kahawa?

Tea or coffee?

Alitaka kwenda, lakini alikuwa mgonjwa.

Alitaka kwenda, lakini alikuwa mgonjwa.

He wanted to go, but he was sick.

Si John bali Peter alifanya hivyo.

Si John bali Peter alifanya hivyo.

It was not John but rather Peter who did that.

2. Addition

Swahili Transliteration English

na na and

pia pia also / too

vilevile vilevile also / likewise

kadhalika kadhalika likewise / also

tena tena furthermore / additionally

pamoja na pamoja na together with / as well as

zaidi ya hayo zaidi ya hayo furthermore / moreover

pamoja na hayo pamoja na hayo in addition / besides

si tu … bali pia … si tu … bali pia … not only … but also …

Example

Anasoma na anafanya kazi.

Anasoma na anafanya kazi.

He studies and works.

Si tu anasoma, bali pia anafanya kazi.

Si tu anasoma, bali pia anafanya kazi.

He not only studies but also works.

3. Alternative / disjunctive conjunctions

Swahili Transliteration English

au au or

ama ama or

ama … ama … ama … ama … either … or …

au … au … au … au … either … or …

ama sivyo ama sivyo or else

vinginevyo vinginevyo otherwise

Example

Unaweza kuja leo au kesho.

Unaweza kuja leo au kesho.

You can come today or tomorrow.

Ama uende, ama ubaki.

Ama uende, ama ubaki.

Either go or stay.

4. Contrastive conjunctions

Swahili Transliteration English

lakini lakini but

ila ila but / except

bali bali but rather

hata hivyo hata hivyo however / nevertheless

ingawa ingawa although

japokuwa japokuwa although / even though

ijapokuwa ijapokuwa although / even though

licha ya kwamba licha ya kwamba despite the fact that

kinyume chake kinyume chake on the contrary

badala yake badala yake instead

si … bali … si … bali … not … but …

Example

Alikuwa mgonjwa, lakini alifanya kazi.

Alikuwa mgonjwa, lakini alifanya kazi.

He was sick, but he worked.

Ingawa alikuwa mgonjwa, alifanya kazi.

Ingawa alikuwa mgonjwa, alifanya kazi.

Although he was sick, he worked.

5. Causal conjunctions — because / since

Swahili Transliteration English

kwa sababu kwa sababu because

kwa kuwa kwa kuwa because / since

kwa vile kwa vile because / since

kwa sababu ya kwa sababu ya because of

kutokana na kwamba kutokana na kwamba due to the fact that

kwa kuwa tu kwa kuwa tu simply because

kwa vile tu kwa vile tu simply because

Example

Sikuenda kwa sababu nilikuwa mgonjwa.

Sikuenda kwa sababu nilikuwa mgonjwa.

I didn't go because I was sick.

Kwa kuwa alikuwa amechoka, alilala.

Kwa kuwa alikuwa amechoka, alilala.

Since he was tired, he slept.

6. Result / consequence

Swahili Transliteration English

kwa hiyo kwa hiyo therefore / so

kwa hivyo kwa hivyo therefore / thus

hivyo hivyo thus / so

basi basi therefore / then

hivyo basi hivyo basi therefore / thus

ndiyo maana ndiyo maana that is why

kwa sababu hiyo kwa sababu hiyo for that reason

matokeo yake matokeo yake as a result

Example

Alikuwa mgonjwa, kwa hiyo hakwenda.

Alikuwa mgonjwa, kwa hiyo hakwenda.

He was sick, so he didn't go.

7. Purpose conjunctions

Swahili Transliteration English

ili ili so that / in order that

ili kwamba ili kwamba so that

kwa ajili ya kwa ajili ya for / for the purpose of

kwa lengo la kwa lengo la with the aim of

kwa madhumuni ya kwa madhumuni ya for the purpose of

ili … ili … in order to / so that

Example

Alifanya kazi kwa bidii ili afaulu.

Alifanya kazi kwa bidii ili afaulu.

He worked hard so that he would succeed.

Nilikuja ili nikuone.

Nilikuja ili nikuone.

I came in order to see you.

8. Conditional conjunctions

Swahili Transliteration English

ikiwa ikiwa if

kama kama if / when / as

iwapo iwapo if

endapo endapo if / in case

pindi pindi when / if

mradi mradi provided that

alimradi alimradi provided that / as long as

maadamu maadamu as long as / since

ikiwa tu ikiwa tu only if

kama tu kama tu only if

isipokuwa kama isipokuwa kama unless / except if

la sivyo la sivyo otherwise / or else

Example

Ikiwa utakuja, nitafurahi.

Ikiwa utakuja, nitafurahi.

If you come, I will be happy.

Kama una muda, njoo.

Kama una muda, njoo.

If you have time, come.

Mradi ufanye kazi, utafaulu.

Mradi ufanye kazi, utafaulu.

Provided that you work, you will succeed.

9. “Unless” constructions

There isn't always one single word corresponding perfectly to English unless. Common constructions include:

Swahili Transliteration English

isipokuwa kama isipokuwa kama unless

isipokuwa ikiwa isipokuwa ikiwa unless / except if

kama si kama si unless / if not

la sivyo la sivyo otherwise

vinginevyo vinginevyo otherwise

Example

Hutafaulu isipokuwa kama utasoma.

Hutafaulu isipokuwa kama utasoma.

You won't succeed unless you study.

10. Concessive conjunctions — although / even though

Swahili Transliteration English

ingawa ingawa although

japokuwa japokuwa although / even though

ijapokuwa ijapokuwa although / even though

hata kama hata kama even if

hata ikiwa hata ikiwa even if

licha ya kwamba licha ya kwamba despite the fact that

ingawa … lakini … ingawa … lakini … although … but …

hata ingawa hata ingawa even though

Example

Ingawa ni ghali, nitanunua.

Ingawa ni ghali, nitanunua.

Although it is expensive, I will buy it.

Hata kama ni vigumu, nitajaribu.

Hata kama ni vigumu, nitajaribu.

Even if it is difficult, I will try.

11. Temporal conjunctions — when / while / before / after

Swahili Transliteration English

wakati wakati when / while

wakati ambapo wakati ambapo when / while

kabla ya kabla ya before

kabla ya kwamba kabla ya kwamba before that / before

baada ya baada ya after

baada ya kwamba baada ya kwamba after that

mara tu mara tu as soon as

pindi pindi when / whenever

kila wakati kila wakati whenever / every time

kila mara kila mara every time

tangu tangu since

hadi hadi until

mpaka mpaka until

mara mara when / once

mara tu … mara tu … as soon as …

Example

Wakati nilipofika, alikuwa amelala.

Wakati nilipofika, alikuwa amelala.

When I arrived, he was sleeping.

Baada ya kula, alilala.

Baada ya kula, alilala.

After eating, he slept.

Kabla ya kwenda, nilimpigia simu.

Kabla ya kwenda, nilimpigia simu.

Before going, I called him.

12. “While” / simultaneous action

Swahili Transliteration English

wakati wakati while / when

wakati ambapo wakati ambapo while / when

huku huku while / as

huku … huku … while …

wakati huohuo wakati huohuo at the same time

kwa wakati uleule kwa wakati uleule at the same time

Example

Alikuwa anasoma huku akisikiliza muziki.

Alikuwa anasoma huku akisikiliza muziki.

He was studying while listening to music.

13. “As soon as”

Swahili Transliteration English

mara tu mara tu as soon as

mara tu … mara tu … as soon as …

punde tu punde tu as soon as / shortly after

mara baada ya mara baada ya immediately after

Mara tu alipofika, tulianza.

Mara tu alipofika, tulianza.

As soon as he arrived, we started.

14. “Until”

Swahili Transliteration English

hadi hadi until

mpaka mpaka until

hadi pale hadi pale until then / until that point

mpaka hapo mpaka hapo until then

Subiri hadi arudi.

Subiri hadi arudi.

Wait until he returns.

15. “Since”

Swahili Transliteration English

tangu tangu since

tangu wakati huo tangu wakati huo since that time

kwa kuwa kwa kuwa since / because

kwa vile kwa vile since / because

Tangu alipokuja, mambo yamebadilika.

Tangu alipokuja, mambo yamebadilika.

Since he came, things have changed.

16. Comparison conjunctions

Swahili Transliteration English

kuliko kuliko than

kama kama as / like

sawa na sawa na as / same as

kama vile kama vile like / just as

kadiri … ndivyo … kadiri … ndivyo … the more … the more …

jinsi … ndivyo … jinsi … ndivyo … the more/how … the more …

Example

Yeye ni mrefu kuliko mimi.

Yeye ni mrefu kuliko mimi.

He is taller than me.

Anaimba kama malaika.

Anaimba kama malaika.

She sings like an angel.

17. Manner / “as”

Swahili Transliteration English

kama kama as / like

kama vile kama vile just as / like

jinsi jinsi how / the way

jinsi ambavyo jinsi ambavyo how / the way that

namna ambayo namna ambayo the way that

vile vile as / in the way that

Fanya jinsi nilivyokuambia.

Fanya jinsi nilivyokuambia.

Do it the way I told you.

18. Correlative conjunctions

These are especially useful because they correspond to English structures such as either…or, neither…nor, and not only…but also.

Swahili Transliteration English

ama … ama … ama … ama … either … or …

au … au … au … au … either … or …

si … bali … si … bali … not … but …

si … wala … si … wala … neither … nor …

si tu … bali pia … si tu … bali pia … not only … but also …

iwe … iwe … iwe … iwe … whether … or …

iwe ni … au … iwe ni … au … whether … or …

Examples

Ama uende ama ubaki.

Ama uende ama ubaki.

Either go or stay.

Si chai wala kahawa.

Si chai wala kahawa.

Neither tea nor coffee.

Si tu mwerevu bali pia ni mchapakazi.

Si tu mwerevu bali pia ni mchapakazi.

He is not only intelligent but also hardworking.

19. “Whether … or”

Swahili Transliteration English

iwe … au … iwe … au … whether … or …

kama … au … kama … au … whether … or …

ikiwa … au … ikiwa … au … whether … or …

iwe ni … au … iwe ni … au … whether it is … or …

Iwe unataka au hutaki, utaenda.

Iwe unataka au hutaki, utaenda.

Whether you want to or not, you will go.

20. Explanatory / complement conjunctions

Swahili Transliteration English

kwamba kwamba that

kuwa kuwa that

kwamba … kwamba … that …

ya kwamba ya kwamba that / the fact that

kwa maana kwamba kwa maana kwamba meaning that

yaani yaani that is / namely

Example

Najua kwamba atakuja.

Najua kwamba atakuja.

I know that he will come.

Alisema kuwa alikuwa mgonjwa.

Alisema kuwa alikuwa mgonjwa.

He said that he was sick.

21. Reported-speech conjunctions

Swahili Transliteration English

kwamba kwamba that

kuwa kuwa that

akisema kwamba akisema kwamba saying that

kwa kusema kwamba kwa kusema kwamba by saying that

kwamba … kwamba … that …

Alisema kwamba atakuja.

Alisema kwamba atakuja.

He said that he would come.

22. Reason + result combinations

Swahili Transliteration English

kwa sababu … kwa hiyo … kwa sababu … kwa hiyo … because … therefore …

kwa kuwa … hivyo … kwa kuwa … hivyo … since … thus …

kwa vile … basi … kwa vile … basi … since … then …

kwa sababu hiyo kwa sababu hiyo because of that / therefore

ndiyo maana ndiyo maana that is why

23. Common discourse conjunctions

Some words function more broadly as linking/discourse connectors rather than strict conjunctions.

Swahili Transliteration English

basi basi then / so

hivyo hivyo thus / so

kwa hiyo kwa hiyo therefore

kwa hivyo kwa hivyo therefore

hata hivyo hata hivyo however

kwa kweli kwa kweli indeed / actually

kwa ujumla kwa ujumla generally

kwa upande mwingine kwa upande mwingine on the other hand

zaidi ya hayo zaidi ya hayo furthermore

pamoja na hayo pamoja na hayo in addition

kwa mfano kwa mfano for example

yaani yaani that is / namely

kwa kifupi kwa kifupi in short

hatimaye hatimaye finally

11- PREPOSITIONS:

# Swahili Transliteration English

1 kwa kwa by / with / for / to / through / because of

2 na na with / by

3 katika katika in / at / within

4 kwenye kwenye at / on / in

5 kwa kwa to / toward / for

6 kutoka kutoka from

7 mpaka mpaka until / up to

8 hadi hadi until / up to / as far as

9 bila bila without

10 juu ya juu ya on / above / about

11 chini ya chini ya under / below

12 mbele ya mbele ya in front of

13 nyuma ya nyuma ya behind

14 karibu na karibu na near

15 mbali na mbali na far from

16 kati ya kati ya between / among

17 pembeni mwa pembeni mwa beside / alongside

18 upande wa upande wa on the side of

19 badala ya badala ya instead of

20 pamoja na pamoja na together with / along with

21 kupitia kupitia through / via

22 dhidi ya dhidi ya against

23 kuhusu kuhusu about / concerning

24 kwa ajili ya kwa ajili ya for / for the sake of

25 kutokana na kutokana na due to / from / because of

26 licha ya licha ya despite / in spite of

27 bila ya bila ya without

28 kwa sababu ya kwa sababu ya because of

29 kwa mujibu wa kwa mujibu wa according to

30 kulingana na kulingana na according to / depending on

2. kwa — the most important Swahili preposition

kwa is extremely versatile and has many meanings depending on context.

Swahili Transliteration English

kwa kwa to

kwa kwa for

kwa kwa by

kwa kwa with

kwa kwa through

kwa kwa via

kwa kwa because of

kwa kwa in / by means of

kwa ajili ya kwa ajili ya for the sake of

kwa sababu ya kwa sababu ya because of

kwa upande wa kwa upande wa regarding / as for

kwa mujibu wa kwa mujibu wa according to

kwa kutumia kwa kutumia by using

kwa njia ya kwa njia ya by means of / through

kwa njia hii kwa njia hii in this way

Examples

Ninaenda kwa daktari.

Ninaenda kwa daktari.

I am going to the doctor.

Kitabu kimeandikwa kwa mwandishi huyu.

Kitabu kimeandikwa kwa mwandishi huyu.

The book was written by this author.

Alifanya hivyo kwa furaha.

Alifanya hivyo kwa furaha.

He/she did it happily / with happiness.

3. na — with / by

na has two major prepositional uses:

A. “with”

Swahili Transliteration English

na mimi na mimi with me

na wewe na wewe with you

na yeye na yeye with him/her

na sisi na sisi with us

na wao na wao with them

Ninaenda na rafiki yangu.

Ninaenda na rafiki yangu.

I am going with my friend.

B. Agent of a passive verb

Kitabu kiliandikwa na mwalimu.

Kitabu kiliandikwa na mwalimu.

The book was written by the teacher.

4. katika — in / at / within

Swahili Transliteration English

katika nyumba katika nyumba in the house

katika nchi katika nchi in the country

katika mwaka katika mwaka in the year

katika maisha katika maisha in life

katika wakati huo katika wakati huo at that time

Anaishi katika nyumba kubwa.

Anaishi katika nyumba kubwa.

He/she lives in a large house.

5. kwenye — at / on / in

kwenye is extremely common in everyday Swahili.

Swahili Transliteration English

kwenye meza kwenye meza on the table

kwenye nyumba kwenye nyumba in/at the house

kwenye shule kwenye shule at school

kwenye gari kwenye gari in the car

kwenye ukuta kwenye ukuta on the wall

Kitabu kiko kwenye meza.

Kitabu kiko kwenye meza.

The book is on the table.

Difference

katika is often somewhat more formal/general, while kwenye is extremely common in ordinary speech.

6. From — kutoka

Swahili Transliteration English

kutoka kutoka from

kutoka kwa kutoka kwa from someone

kutoka katika kutoka katika from/in

kutoka kwenye kutoka kwenye from/away from

kutoka hapa kutoka hapa from here

kutoka hapo kutoka hapo from there

kutoka juu kutoka juu from above

kutoka chini kutoka chini from below

Ninatoka Kenya.

Ninatoka Kenya.

I am from Kenya.

Ametoka nyumbani.

Ametoka nyumbani.

He/she has come from home.

7. To / toward — kwa

Swahili commonly uses kwa with people or destinations in certain constructions.

Swahili Transliteration English

kwa daktari kwa daktari to the doctor

kwa mwalimu kwa mwalimu to the teacher

kwa rafiki kwa rafiki to a friend

kwao kwao to their home/place

kwangu kwangu to my place

kwako kwako to your place

kwake kwake to his/her place

kwetu kwetu to our place

kwenu kwenu to your (plural) place

kwao kwao to their place

For cities/countries and many ordinary destinations, kwenda + place can occur without an English-style “to” preposition:

Ninaenda Nairobi.

Ninaenda Nairobi.

I am going to Nairobi.

8. hadi and mpaka — until / up to

Swahili Transliteration English

hadi hadi until

hadi saa tano hadi saa tano until five o'clock

hadi kesho hadi kesho until tomorrow

hadi mwisho hadi mwisho until the end

mpaka mpaka until / up to

mpaka kesho mpaka kesho until tomorrow

mpaka mwisho mpaka mwisho up to the end

mpaka hapo mpaka hapo up to that point

Nitafanya kazi hadi kesho.

Nitafanya kazi hadi kesho.

I will work until tomorrow.

9. bila — without

Swahili Transliteration English

bila bila without

bila mimi bila mimi without me

bila yeye bila yeye without him/her

bila sababu bila sababu without a reason

bila shida bila shida without difficulty

bila shaka bila shaka without doubt

Aliondoka bila mimi.

Aliondoka bila mimi.

He/she left without me.

10. juu ya — on / above / about

Swahili Transliteration English

juu ya meza juu ya meza on the table

juu ya nyumba juu ya nyumba above the house

juu ya kitabu juu ya kitabu on the book

juu ya jambo juu ya jambo about a matter

juu yangu juu yangu above me / about me

Kitabu kiko juu ya meza.

Kitabu kiko juu ya meza.

The book is on the table.

11. chini ya — under / below

Swahili Transliteration English

chini ya meza chini ya meza under the table

chini ya kitanda chini ya kitanda under the bed

chini ya maji chini ya maji under water

chini ya sheria chini ya sheria under the law

chini ya miaka kumi chini ya miaka kumi under ten years

12. mbele ya — in front of / before

Swahili Transliteration English

mbele ya nyumba mbele ya nyumba in front of the house

mbele ya watu mbele ya watu in front of people

mbele ya mwalimu mbele ya mwalimu before the teacher

mbele ya sheria mbele ya sheria before the law

13. nyuma ya — behind

Swahili Transliteration English

nyuma ya nyumba nyuma ya nyumba behind the house

nyuma ya gari nyuma ya gari behind the car

nyuma ya mlango nyuma ya mlango behind the door

nyuma yangu nyuma yangu behind me

14. karibu na — near

Swahili Transliteration English

karibu na nyumba karibu na nyumba near the house

karibu na shule karibu na shule near the school

karibu nami karibu nami near me

karibu naye karibu naye near him/her

Anaishi karibu na shule.

Anaishi karibu na shule.

He/she lives near the school.

15. mbali na — far from

Swahili Transliteration English

mbali na hapa mbali na hapa far from here

mbali na shule mbali na shule far from school

mbali nami mbali nami far from me

mbali na jiji mbali na jiji far from the city

16. kati ya — between / among

Swahili Transliteration English

kati ya watu wawili kati ya watu wawili between two people

kati ya nyumba kati ya nyumba between the houses

kati yangu na wewe kati yangu na wewe between me and you

kati ya marafiki kati ya marafiki among friends

kati ya nchi kati ya nchi among countries

Yuko kati ya John na Mary.

Yuko kati ya John na Mary.

He/she is between John and Mary.

17. pembeni mwa — beside / alongside

Swahili Transliteration English

pembeni mwa barabara pembeni mwa barabara beside the road

pembeni mwa nyumba pembeni mwa nyumba beside the house

pembeni mwa mto pembeni mwa mto beside the river

Gari limesimama pembeni mwa barabara.

Gari limesimama pembeni mwa barabara.

The car is parked beside the road.

18. pamoja na — with / together with

Swahili Transliteration English

pamoja na mimi pamoja na mimi together with me

pamoja na yeye pamoja na yeye together with him/her

pamoja na marafiki pamoja na marafiki together with friends

pamoja na hayo pamoja na hayo in addition to that

Alienda pamoja na rafiki yake.

Alienda pamoja na rafiki yake.

He/she went together with his/her friend.

19. badala ya — instead of

Swahili Transliteration English

badala ya chai badala ya chai instead of tea

badala yangu badala yangu instead of me

badala ya kwenda badala ya kwenda instead of going

badala ya kufanya badala ya kufanya instead of doing

Alikunywa maji badala ya chai.

Alikunywa maji badala ya chai.

He drank water instead of tea.

20. kupitia — through / via

Swahili Transliteration English

kupitia mlango kupitia mlango through the door

kupitia barabara hii kupitia barabara hii via this road

kupitia mtandao kupitia mtandao through the internet

kupitia kwake kupitia kwake through him/her

Tulipita kupitia mji.

Tulipita kupitia mji.

We passed through the city.

21. dhidi ya — against

Swahili Transliteration English

dhidi ya sheria dhidi ya sheria against the law

dhidi ya mtu dhidi ya mtu against a person

dhidi yangu dhidi yangu against me

dhidi ya ugonjwa dhidi ya ugonjwa against disease

Ni kinyume cha sheria.

Ni kinyume cha sheria.

It is against the law.

22. kuhusu — about / concerning

Swahili Transliteration English

kuhusu jambo kuhusu jambo about a matter

kuhusu wewe kuhusu wewe about you

kuhusu kazi kuhusu kazi about work

kuhusu suala hili kuhusu suala hili concerning this issue

Tulizungumza kuhusu kazi.

Tulizungumza kuhusu kazi.

We talked about work.

23. kwa ajili ya — for / for the sake of

Swahili Transliteration English

kwa ajili yangu kwa ajili yangu for me

kwa ajili yako kwa ajili yako for you

kwa ajili yake kwa ajili yake for him/her

kwa ajili ya watoto kwa ajili ya watoto for the children

kwa ajili ya kazi kwa ajili ya kazi for work

Nilifanya hivyo kwa ajili yako.

Nilifanya hivyo kwa ajili yako.

I did that for you.

24. kutokana na — due to / resulting from

Swahili Transliteration English

kutokana na mvua kutokana na mvua due to the rain

kutokana na sababu hiyo kutokana na sababu hiyo due to that reason

kutokana na kazi kutokana na kazi resulting from the work

kutokana na yeye kutokana na yeye due to him/her

Mchezo uliahirishwa kutokana na mvua.

Mchezo uliahirishwa kutokana na mvua.

The game was postponed due to the rain.

25. kwa sababu ya — because of

Swahili Transliteration English

kwa sababu ya mvua kwa sababu ya mvua because of the rain

kwa sababu ya ugonjwa kwa sababu ya ugonjwa because of illness

kwa sababu yangu kwa sababu yangu because of me

kwa sababu hiyo kwa sababu hiyo because of that

26. licha ya — despite

Swahili Transliteration English

licha ya mvua licha ya mvua despite the rain

licha ya ugonjwa licha ya ugonjwa despite the illness

licha yangu licha yangu despite me

licha ya hayo licha ya hayo despite that

Licha ya mvua, tulienda.

Licha ya mvua, tulienda.

Despite the rain, we went.

27. kuliko — than

kuliko is especially important in comparisons.

Swahili Transliteration English

kuliko mimi kuliko mimi than me

kuliko wewe kuliko wewe than you

kuliko jana kuliko jana than yesterday

kuliko kawaida kuliko kawaida than usual

Yeye ni mrefu kuliko mimi.

Yeye ni mrefu kuliko mimi.

He is taller than me.

28. kulingana na — according to / depending on

Swahili Transliteration English

kulingana na sheria kulingana na sheria according to the law

kulingana na yeye kulingana na yeye according to him/her

kulingana na hali kulingana na hali depending on the situation

kulingana na wakati kulingana na wakati depending on the time

29. kwa mujibu wa — according to

This is more formal.

Swahili Transliteration English

kwa mujibu wa sheria kwa mujibu wa sheria according to the law

kwa mujibu wa ripoti kwa mujibu wa ripoti according to the report

kwa mujibu wa katiba kwa mujibu wa katiba according to the constitution

30. karibu / mbali / nje / ndani and locative constructions

Swahili often expresses location without an English-style preposition.

Swahili Transliteration English

ndani ya nyumba ndani ya nyumba inside the house

nje ya nyumba nje ya nyumba outside the house

karibu na nyumba karibu na nyumba near the house

mbali na nyumba mbali na nyumba far from the house

juu ya nyumba juu ya nyumba above/on the house

chini ya nyumba chini ya nyumba below/under the house

mbele ya nyumba mbele ya nyumba in front of the house

nyuma ya nyumba nyuma ya nyumba behind the house

katikati ya nyumba katikati ya nyumba in the middle of the house

31. Time prepositional expressions

Swahili Transliteration English

kabla ya kabla ya before

baada ya baada ya after

tangu tangu since

hadi hadi until

mpaka mpaka until

wakati wa wakati wa during / at the time of

baada ya baada ya after

kabla ya kabla ya before

mwanzoni mwa mwanzoni mwa at the beginning of

mwisho wa mwisho wa at the end of

katikati ya katikati ya in the middle of

karibu na karibu na around / near

kabla ya hapo kabla ya hapo before then

baada ya hapo baada ya hapo after that

Examples

Kabla ya chakula, tunaosha mikono.

Kabla ya chakula, tunaosha mikono.

Before the meal, we wash our hands.

Baada ya kazi, ninaenda nyumbani.

Baada ya kazi, ninaenda nyumbani.

After work, I go home.

32. Instrument / means

English often uses with, by, using. Swahili frequently uses kwa or na.

Swahili Transliteration English

kwa kalamu kwa kalamu with a pen

kwa kisu kwa kisu with a knife

kwa gari kwa gari by car

kwa basi kwa basi by bus

kwa ndege kwa ndege by plane

kwa kutumia kwa kutumia by using

kwa njia ya kwa njia ya by means of

na mkono na mkono by hand / with the hand

Aliandika kwa kalamu.

Aliandika kwa kalamu.

He wrote with a pen.

33. Agent in passive constructions

na + agent

Swahili Transliteration English

na mwalimu na mwalimu by the teacher

na mama na mama by mother

na yeye na yeye by him/her

na watoto na watoto by the children

Kitabu kiliandikwa na mwalimu.

Kitabu kiliandikwa na mwalimu.

The book was written by the teacher.

34. Possessive/genitive structures that translate as prepositions

Swahili uses -a possessive constructions for many relationships that English may express with of.

Swahili Transliteration English

kitabu cha mwalimu kitabu cha mwalimu the teacher's book / book of the teacher

nyumba ya rafiki nyumba ya rafiki the friend's house

mwisho wa mwaka mwisho wa mwaka end of the year

katikati ya jiji katikati ya jiji middle of the city

upande wa kushoto upande wa kushoto left side

sababu ya tatizo sababu ya tatizo reason for the problem

This is technically genitive/possessive, not a simple preposition, but it is essential for understanding Swahili equivalents of English of, for, about, from, etc.

35. Preposition + pronoun forms

Swahili commonly combines certain prepositions with pronouns.

kwa + pronoun

Swahili Transliteration English

kwangu kwangu to/at my place; for me, depending on context

kwako kwako to/at your place

kwake kwake to/at his/her place

kwetu kwetu to/at our place

kwenu kwenu to/at your (plural) place

kwao kwao to/at their place

na + pronoun

Swahili Transliteration English

nami nami with me / and me

nawe nawe with you / and you

naye naye with him/her / and him/her

nasi nasi with us / and us

nanyi nanyi with you (plural)

nao nao with them

kwa ajili ya + pronoun

Swahili Transliteration English

kwa ajili yangu kwa ajili yangu for me

kwa ajili yako kwa ajili yako for you

kwa ajili yake kwa ajili yake for him/her

kwa ajili yetu kwa ajili yetu for us

kwa ajili yenu kwa ajili yenu for you (plural)

kwa ajili yao kwa ajili yao for them

12- DETERMINERS

Swahili Transliteration English

— — the

For example:

kitabu

kitabu

a book / the book

The exact meaning depends on context.

2. Indefinite article

Swahili also does not have a single word exactly equivalent to English a/an.

However, the numeral moja (“one”) can sometimes express an indefinite meaning.

Swahili Transliteration English

moja moja one / a certain

mmoja mmoja one / a certain one

mmoja wa mmoja wa one of / one particular

Mtu mmoja alikuja.

Mtu mmoja alikuja.

A certain person / one person came.

3. Demonstrative determiners

This is one of the most important Swahili determiner systems.

Swahili demonstratives agree with the noun class.

Proximal — “this / these”

Noun class Determiner Transliteration English

M-WA huyu huyu this

M-WA plural hawa hawa these

KI-VI hiki hiki this

KI-VI plural hivi hivi these

N hii hii this

N plural hizi hizi these

JI-MA hili hili this

JI-MA plural haya haya these

U huu huu this

U plural/related hizi hizi these

PA hapa hapa this place / here

KU huku huku this place/direction

MU humu humu inside here

Examples

mtu huyu

mtu huyu

this person

watu hawa

watu hawa

these people

kitabu hiki

kitabu hiki

this book

vitabu hivi

vitabu hivi

these books

4. Distal demonstratives — “that / those”

Noun class Swahili Transliteration English

M-WA huyo huyo that

M-WA plural hao hao those

KI-VI hicho hicho that

KI-VI plural hivyo hivyo those

N hiyo hiyo that

N plural hizo hizo those

JI-MA hilo hilo that

JI-MA plural hayo hayo those

U huo huo that

PA hapo hapo that place / there

KU huko huko that place/direction

MU humo humo in that place

Examples

mtu huyo

mtu huyo

that person

watu hao

watu hao

those people

kitabu hicho

kitabu hicho

that book

nyumba hiyo

nyumba hiyo

that house

5. Remote demonstratives — “that over there”

Swahili also distinguishes a more distant demonstrative.

Noun class Swahili Transliteration English

M-WA yule yule that one over there

M-WA plural wale wale those over there

KI-VI kile kile that over there

KI-VI plural vile vile those over there

N ile ile that over there

N plural zile zile those over there

JI-MA lile lile that over there

JI-MA plural yale yale those over there

U ule ule that over there

PA pale pale that place over there

KU kule kule that place/direction over there

MU mle mle in that place over there

Examples

mtu yule

mtu yule

that person over there

watu wale

watu wale

those people over there

kitabu kile

kitabu kile

that book over there

6. Possessive determiners

Possessives agree with the noun being possessed.

The basic possessive stems are:

Person Stem English

1st singular -angu my

2nd singular -ako your

3rd singular -ake his / her

1st plural -etu our

2nd plural -enu your

3rd plural -ao their

The appropriate noun-class prefix is attached.

Examples

Swahili Transliteration English

wangu wangu my

wako wako your

wake wake his / her

wetu wetu our

wenu wenu your

wao wao their

yangu yangu my

yako yako your

yake yake his / her

yetu yetu our

yenu yenu your

yao yao their

changu changu my

chako chako your

chake chake his / her

chetu chetu our

chenu chenu your

chao chao their

Examples

mtoto wangu

mtoto wangu

my child

watoto wangu

watoto wangu

my children

kitabu changu

kitabu changu

my book

vitabu vyangu

vitabu vyangu

my books

nyumba yake

nyumba yake

his/her house

7. Quantifying determiners

“All”

The main word is -ote, which agrees with the noun class.

Swahili Transliteration English

wote wote all

yote yote all

vyote vyote all

zote zote all

lote lote all

yote yote all

kote kote all / everywhere

Examples:

watu wote

watu wote

all people

vitabu vyote

vitabu vyote

all books

nyumba zote

nyumba zote

all houses

8. “Every / each”

kila is the principal Swahili equivalent.

Swahili Transliteration English

kila kila every / each

kila mtu kila mtu everyone / every person

kila siku kila siku every day

kila kitabu kila kitabu every book

kila nyumba kila nyumba every house

kila mara kila mara every time

Kila mwanafunzi anasoma.

Kila mwanafunzi anasoma.

Every student studies.

Unlike many noun-agreeing determiners, kila does not change according to noun class.

9. “Any”

Common Swahili equivalents depend on context.

Swahili Transliteration English

yoyote yoyote any

yeyote yeyote anyone / any person

chochote chochote anything / whatever

wowote wowote any

yoyote yoyote any

lolote lolote anything / any

popote popote anywhere

Examples:

mtu yeyote

mtu yeyote

any person / anyone

kitabu chochote

kitabu chochote

any book / whatever book

siku yoyote

siku yoyote

any day

10. “Some”

Swahili commonly expresses some using baadhi ya, -moja, or context.

Swahili Transliteration English

baadhi ya baadhi ya some

baadhi ya watu baadhi ya watu some people

watu fulani watu fulani some people / certain people

mtu fulani mtu fulani someone / a certain person

kitu fulani kitu fulani something / a certain thing

Baadhi ya wanafunzi walifika.

Baadhi ya wanafunzi walifika.

Some students arrived.

11. Indefinite determiner — fulani

fulani means “a certain,” “some particular,” or sometimes simply “some.”

Swahili Transliteration English

mtu fulani mtu fulani a certain person

watu fulani watu fulani certain people

kitabu fulani kitabu fulani a certain book

mahali fulani mahali fulani somewhere / a certain place

siku fulani siku fulani a certain day

12. “Another / other”

Swahili uses -ngine, agreeing with the noun.

Swahili Transliteration English

mwingine mwingine another / other

wengine wengine other / others

kingine kingine another / other

vingine vingine other

nyingine nyingine another / other

mengine mengine other

jingine jingine another

mengine mengine other

Examples:

mtu mwingine

mtu mwingine

another person

watu wengine

watu wengine

other people

kitabu kingine

kitabu kingine

another book

nyumba nyingine

nyumba nyingine

another house

13. “Other / remaining”

Swahili Transliteration English

mwingine mwingine another / other

wengine wengine others

uliobaki uliobaki remaining

iliyobaki iliyobaki remaining

vilivyobaki vilivyobaki remaining

mengine mengine other / remaining

14. “Both”

Swahili commonly uses wote wawili, vyote viwili, etc.

Swahili Transliteration English

wote wawili wote wawili both

wote wawili wote wawili both (people)

vyote viwili vyote viwili both

zote mbili zote mbili both

yote mawili yote mawili both

yote mawili yote mawili both

Watu wote wawili walikuja.

Watu wote wawili walikuja.

Both people came.

15. “Each one / every one”

Swahili Transliteration English

kila mmoja kila mmoja each one / everyone

kila moja kila moja each one

kila kitu kila kitu everything

kila mahali kila mahali everywhere

kila mmoja wao kila mmoja wao each of them

Kila mmoja ana kitabu.

Kila mmoja ana kitabu.

Each one has a book.

16. Distributive determiner — -moja

The numeral moja can have a distributive meaning when combined with kila or other structures.

Swahili Transliteration English

mmoja mmoja mmoja mmoja one by one / each

moja moja moja moja one each / one by one

wawili wawili wawili wawili two by two

watatu watatu watatu watatu three by three

mmoja kwa mmoja mmoja kwa mmoja one by one

Waliingia mmoja mmoja.

Waliingia mmoja mmoja.

They entered one by one.

17. Numeral determiners

Cardinal numbers can determine nouns.

Swahili Transliteration English

moja moja one

mbili mbili two

tatu tatu three

nne nne four

tano tano five

sita sita six

saba saba seven

nane nane eight

tisa tisa nine

kumi kumi ten

ishirini ishirini twenty

mia mia hundred

elfu elfu thousand

milioni milioni million

Because Swahili numerals generally agree with noun classes for 1–5, their forms can change:

Noun Numeral English

mtu mmoja mmoja one person

watu wawili wawili two people

kitabu kimoja kimoja one book

vitabu viwili viwili two books

jicho moja moja one eye

macho mawili mawili two eyes

18. Ordinal determiners

Ordinals function as noun modifiers/determiners.

Swahili Transliteration English

kwanza kwanza first

pili pili second

tatu tatu third

nne nne fourth

tano tano fifth

sita sita sixth

saba saba seventh

nane nane eighth

tisa tisa ninth

kumi kumi tenth

Usually the construction is:

noun + wa + ordinal

Examples:

mara ya kwanza

mara ya kwanza

the first time

siku ya pili

siku ya pili

the second day

wiki ya tatu

wiki ya tatu

the third week

19. Multiplicative determiners

Swahili Transliteration English

mara mbili mara mbili twice / double

mara tatu mara tatu three times / triple

mara nne mara nne four times

mara nyingi mara nyingi many times

mara kadhaa mara kadhaa several times

20. Fractional expressions

Swahili Transliteration English

nusu nusu half

robo robo quarter

theluthi theluthi third

theluthi mbili theluthi mbili two thirds

robo mbili robo mbili two quarters

nusu ya nusu ya half of

robo ya robo ya quarter of

Examples:

nusu ya watu

nusu ya watu

half of the people

robo ya kitabu

robo ya kitabu

a quarter of the book

21. Large quantity determiners

Swahili Transliteration English

wengi wengi many

nyingi nyingi many / much

mengi mengi much / many

vingi vingi many

nyingi nyingi many

kubwa kubwa large / great

kiasi kikubwa cha kiasi kikubwa cha a large amount of

idadi kubwa ya idadi kubwa ya a large number of

watu wengi watu wengi many people

vitu vingi vitu vingi many things

22. Small quantity determiners

Swahili Transliteration English

chache chache few

kidogo kidogo little / a little

wachache wachache few

vichache vichache few

machache machache few

kiasi kidogo cha kiasi kidogo cha a small amount of

idadi ndogo ya idadi ndogo ya a small number of

Examples:

watu wachache

watu wachache

few people

vitabu vichache

vitabu vichache

few books

maji kidogo

maji kidogo

a little water

23. “Much / many”

Swahili Transliteration English

wengi wengi many

nyingi nyingi many / much

mengi mengi many

vingi vingi many

sana sana much / very much

mengi sana mengi sana very many / much

nyingi sana nyingi sana very many / much

Watu wengi walikuja.

Watu wengi walikuja.

Many people came.

Ana pesa nyingi.

Ana pesa nyingi.

He/she has a lot of money.

24. “Enough”

Swahili Transliteration English

ya kutosha ya kutosha enough

cha kutosha cha kutosha enough

wa kutosha wa kutosha enough

za kutosha za kutosha enough

vya kutosha vya kutosha enough

kiasi cha kutosha kiasi cha kutosha a sufficient amount

Examples:

chakula cha kutosha

chakula cha kutosha

enough food

watu wa kutosha

watu wa kutosha

enough people

25. “Too much / too many”

Swahili Transliteration English

nyingi sana nyingi sana too much / very many

wengi sana wengi sana too many

mengi sana mengi sana too many / much

vingi sana vingi sana too many

kupita kiasi kupita kiasi excessively / too much

sana kupita kiasi sana kupita kiasi excessively

Watu wengi sana walikuja.

Watu wengi sana walikuja.

Too many / very many people came.

26. Interrogative determiners

“Which?”

Swahili uses -pi with noun-class agreement.

Noun class Swahili Transliteration English

M-WA yupi yupi which?

M-WA plural wapi wapi which?

KI-VI kipi kipi which?

KI-VI plural vipi vipi which?

N ipi ipi which?

N plural zipi zipi which?

JI-MA lipi lipi which?

JI-MA plural yapi yapi which?

U upi upi which?

Examples:

mtu yupi?

mtu yupi?

which person?

watu wapi?

watu wapi?

which people?

kitabu kipi?

kitabu kipi?

which book?

vitabu vipi?

vitabu vipi?

which books?

nyumba ipi?

nyumba ipi?

which house?

27. “What?” determiner

gani is used after the noun.

Swahili Transliteration English

mtu gani? mtu gani? what kind of person? / which person?

kitabu gani? kitabu gani? what book?

nyumba gani? nyumba gani? what house?

watu gani? watu gani? what people?

chakula gani? chakula gani? what food?

Unasoma kitabu gani?

Unasoma kitabu gani?

What book are you reading?

28. “How many?”

ngapi agrees with the noun class.

Swahili Transliteration English

wangapi? wangapi? how many?

vingapi? vingapi? how many?

ngapi? ngapi? how many?

mangapi? mangapi? how many?

mingapi? mingapi? how many?

mangapi? mangapi? how many?

Examples:

Watu wangapi wamekuja?

Watu wangapi wamekuja?

How many people have come?

Vitabu vingapi una?

Vitabu vingapi una?

How many books do you have?

Nyumba ngapi zimejengwa?

Nyumba ngapi zimejengwa?

How many houses have been built?

29. Exclamative determiners

The same interrogative forms can be used exclamatively.

Swahili Transliteration English

mtu gani! mtu gani! what a person!

watu gani! watu gani! what people!

kitabu gani! kitabu gani! what a book!

mambo gani! mambo gani! what things!

watu wangapi! watu wangapi! how many people!

30. Relative determiners

Swahili uses relative constructions rather than a direct equivalent of English whose/which as a single determiner system.

Important forms include:

Swahili Transliteration English

ambaye ambaye who / that

ambao ambao who / that

ambacho ambacho which / that

ambavyo ambavyo which / that

ambayo ambayo which / that

ambazo ambazo which / that

ambalo ambalo which / that

ambayo ambayo which / that

ambacho ambacho which / that

These are primarily relative pronouns/constructions, not ordinary determiners, but they can serve a determiner-like function in relative clauses.

31. Possessive/relative “whose”

Swahili commonly expresses whose using:

ambaye + possessive/genitive construction

or a possessive construction itself.

Swahili Transliteration English

ambaye nyumba yake ambaye nyumba yake whose house

ambaye mtoto wake ambaye mtoto wake whose child

ambao vitabu vyao ambao vitabu vyao whose books

Example:

Mtu ambaye nyumba yake imeungua...

Mtu ambaye nyumba yake imeungua...

The person whose house has burned down...

32. Negative/indefinite determiner constructions

Swahili frequently combines negative constructions with indefinite words.

Swahili Transliteration English

hakuna hakuna there is no / there are no

hakuna mtu hakuna mtu nobody / no person

hakuna kitu hakuna kitu nothing

hakuna kitabu hakuna kitabu no book

hakuna chochote hakuna chochote nothing at all

yeyote yeyote anyone

chochote chochote anything

Hakuna mtu hapa.

Hakuna mtu hapa.

There is no one here.

33. “No” determiner

Swahili generally uses hakuna rather than a dedicated equivalent of English no.

Swahili Transliteration English

hakuna mtu hakuna mtu no person

hakuna watu hakuna watu no people

hakuna kitabu hakuna kitabu no book

hakuna vitabu hakuna vitabu no books

hakuna kitu hakuna kitu no thing / nothing

hakuna nyumba hakuna nyumba no house

34. “Everywhere / nowhere / somewhere” determiner-like forms

These are technically locative/adverbial expressions rather than noun determiners, but they belong to the same indefinite system.

Swahili Transliteration English

kila mahali kila mahali everywhere

mahali fulani mahali fulani somewhere

popote popote anywhere / wherever

mahali popote mahali popote anywhere

hakuna mahali hakuna mahali nowhere

kila upande kila upande every side

upande wowote upande wowote any side

35. Emphatic/identifying determiners

Swahili can use forms such as mwenyewe for “own / very / self.”

Swahili Transliteration English

mwenyewe mwenyewe own / self

wenyewe wenyewe themselves / their own

chenyewe chenyewe itself / its own

vyenyewe vyenyewe themselves

yenyewe yenyewe itself

yenyewe yenyewe itself

lenyewe lenyewe itself

Examples:

mtu mwenyewe

mtu mwenyewe

the person himself/herself

watu wenyewe

watu wenyewe

the people themselves

36. “Same”

-moja is not normally the main equivalent of “same.” Swahili commonly uses -enyewe or hiyo hiyo / huyo huyo, depending on meaning.

Swahili Transliteration English

huyo huyo huyo huyo that same person

hicho hicho hicho hicho that same thing

hiyo hiyo hiyo hiyo that same one

ile ile ile ile that very same

vile vile vile vile the same / likewise

Ni mtu huyo huyo.

Ni mtu huyo huyo.

It is the same person.

37. “Such / such a”

Swahili commonly uses -a aina hiyo, kama hiyo, wa aina hiyo, etc.

Swahili Transliteration English

mtu wa aina hiyo mtu wa aina hiyo such a person

kitu cha aina hiyo kitu cha aina hiyo such a thing

jambo la aina hiyo jambo la aina hiyo such a matter

kama hiyo kama hiyo like that / such

38. “Certain / particular”

Swahili Transliteration English

fulani fulani certain / particular

mtu fulani mtu fulani a certain person

jambo fulani jambo fulani a certain matter

siku fulani siku fulani a certain day

mahali fulani mahali fulani a certain place

39. “Whole / entire”

Swahili uses -zima.

Swahili Transliteration English

mzima mzima whole / entire

wazima wazima whole / entire

kizima kizima whole

vizima vizima whole

nzima nzima whole

nzima nzima entire

zima zima whole

lote zima lote zima whole, depending on construction

Examples:

siku nzima

siku nzima

the whole day

mwaka mzima

mwaka mzima

the whole year

jiji zima

jiji zima

the entire city

40. “Half / part of”

Swahili Transliteration English

nusu ya nusu ya half of

sehemu ya sehemu ya part of

sehemu fulani ya sehemu fulani ya some part of

sehemu kubwa ya sehemu kubwa ya a large part of

sehemu ndogo ya sehemu ndogo ya a small part of

41. “A lot of / plenty of”

Swahili Transliteration English

mengi mengi much / many

nyingi nyingi much / many

wengi wengi many

vingi vingi many

mengi sana mengi sana a lot of

nyingi sana nyingi sana a lot of

watu wengi watu wengi many people

vitu vingi vitu vingi many things

kiasi kikubwa cha kiasi kikubwa cha a large amount of

idadi kubwa ya idadi kubwa ya a large number of

42. “A little / a few”

Swahili Transliteration English

kidogo kidogo a little

chache chache a few

wachache wachache a few

vichache vichache a few

machache machache a few

kiasi kidogo cha kiasi kidogo cha a little amount of

watu wachache watu wachache a few people

vitabu vichache vitabu vichache a few books

43. “Several”

There is no single universal Swahili determiner exactly equivalent to English several. Common expressions are:

Swahili Transliteration English

kadhaa kadhaa several

baadhi ya baadhi ya some

watu kadhaa watu kadhaa several people

vitu kadhaa vitu kadhaa several things

mara kadhaa mara kadhaa several times

44. “Numerous”

Swahili Transliteration English

wengi wengi many / numerous

nyingi nyingi numerous / many

wengi sana wengi sana very numerous

idadi kubwa ya idadi kubwa ya a large number of

45. “Few”

Swahili Transliteration English

wachache wachache few

vichache vichache few

chache chache few

machache machache few

watu wachache watu wachache few people

siku chache siku chache a few days

46. “More / fewer”

These are usually expressed with zaidi and quantity expressions.

Swahili Transliteration English

zaidi zaidi more

zaidi ya zaidi ya more than

wachache zaidi wachache zaidi fewer

nyingi zaidi nyingi zaidi more

wengi zaidi wengi zaidi more

kidogo zaidi kidogo zaidi a little more

47. “Less / least”

Swahili Transliteration English

kidogo kidogo less / a little

chini ya chini ya less than / under

kidogo zaidi kidogo zaidi a little less/more depending context

kwa kiwango cha chini kwa kiwango cha chini to a lesser degree

angalau angalau at least

Angalau watu wawili walikuja.

Angalau watu wawili walikuja.

At least two people came.

48. “At least / at most”

Swahili Transliteration English

angalau angalau at least

zaidi ya zaidi ya more than

si zaidi ya si zaidi ya no more than

si chini ya si chini ya no less than

hadi hadi up to

mpaka mpaka up to

49. “Per / each”

Swahili Transliteration English

kila kila each / every

kwa kila kwa kila per / for each

mmoja mmoja mmoja mmoja one each / individually

kila mmoja kila mmoja each one

Mara moja kwa kila mtu.

Mara moja kwa kila mtu.

Once per person.

13- IF CONDITIONAL

Zero -ki- -ki- / present Ukisoma, unajifunza. If you read/study, you learn.

First -ki- -ta- future Ukisoma, utafaulu. If you study, you will succeed.

Second -nge- -nge- Ungesoma, ungefaulu. If you studied, you would succeed.

Third -ngali- -ngali- Ungalisoma, ungalifaulu. If you had studied, you would have succeeded.

Mixed -ngali- -nge- Ungalisoma, ungejua. If you had studied, you would know.

I would read Ningesoma

You would read Ungesoma

He/She would read Angesoma

We would read Tungesoma

You (plural) would read Mngesoma

They would read Wangesoma

I would be reading Ningekuwa nasoma

You would be reading Ungekuwa unasoma

He/she would be reading Angekuwa anasoma

We would be reading Tungekuwa tunasoma

They would be reading Wangekuwa wanasoma

I would have read Ningalisoma

You would have read Ungalisoma

He/She would have read Angalisoma

We would have read Tungalisoma

You plural would have read Mngalisoma

They would have read Wangalisoma

I would have been reading Ningalikuwa nasoma

You would have been reading Ungalikuwa unasoma

He/she would have been reading Angalikuwa anasoma

We would have been reading Tungalikuwa tunasoma

They would have been reading Wangalikuwa wanasoma

I would be Ningekuwa

You would be Ungekuwa

He/she would be Angekuwa

We would be Tungekuwa

You plural would be Mng kuwa

They would be Wangekuwa

I would have been Ningalikuwa

You would have been Ungalikuwa

He/she would have been Angalikuwa

We would have been Tungalikuwa

They would have been Wangalikuwa

I would like to read Ningependa kusoma

You would like to read Ungependa kusoma

He/she would like to read Angependa kusoma

We would like to read Tungependa kusoma

They would like to read Wangependa kusoma

I would not read Singesoma

You would not read Usingesoma

He/She would not read Asingesoma

We would not read Tusingesoma

You (plural) would not read Msngesoma → Msingesoma

They would not read Wasingesoma

I would not be reading Singekuwa nasoma

You would not be reading Usingekuwa unasoma

He/she would not be reading Asingekuwa anasoma

We would not be reading Tusingekuwa tunasoma

They would not be reading Wasingekuwa wanasoma

I would not have read Singalisoma

You would not have read Usingalisoma

He/she would not have read Asingalisoma

We would not have read Tusingalisoma

You plural would not have read Msingalisoma

They would not have read Wasingalisoma

I would not have been reading Singalikuwa nasoma

You would not have been reading Usingalikuwa unasoma

He/she would not have been reading Asingalikuwa anasoma

We would not have been reading Tusingalikuwa tunasoma

They would not have been reading Wasingalikuwa wanasoma

I would not be Singekuwa

You would not be Usingekuwa

He/she would not be Asingekuwa

We would not be Tusingekuwa

You plural would not be Msingekuwa

They would not be Wasingekuwa

I would not have been Singalikuwa

You would not have been Usingalikuwa

He/she would not have been Asingalikuwa

We would not have been Tusingalikuwa

They would not have been Wasingalikuwa

I would not like to read Singependa kusoma

You would not like to read Usingependa kusoma

He/she would not like to read Asingependa kusoma

We would not like to read Tusingependa kusoma

They would not like to read Wasingependa kusoma

I would be read ningesomwa

You would be read ungesomwa

He/she would be read angesomwa

We would be read tungesomwa

You (plural) would be read mngesomwa

They would be read wangesomwa

I would have been read ningalisomwa

You would have been read ungalisomwa

He/she would have been read angalisomwa

We would have been read tungalisomwa

You plural would have been read mngalisomwa

They would have been read wangalisomwa

I would be being read ningekuwa nasomwa

You would be being read ungekuwa unasomwa

He/she would be being read angekuwa anasomwa

We would be being read tungekuwa tunasomwa

They would be being read wangekuwa wanasomwa

Kitabu kingalikuwa kinasomwa. The book would have been being read. (-ngali- + kuwa + passive)

I would like to be read Ningependa kusomwa

He would like to be helped Angependa kusaidiwa

They would like to be seen Wangependa kuonekana

I would not be read Singesomwa

You would not be read Us ingesomwa → Usingesomwa

He/she would not be read Asingesomwa

We would not be read Tusingesomwa

You (plural) would not be read Msingesomwa

They would not be read Wasingesomwa

I would not have been read Singalisomwa

You would not have been read Usingalisomwa

He/she would not have been read Asingalisomwa

We would not have been read Tusingalisomwa

You plural would not have been read Msingalisomwa

They would not have been read Wasingalisomwa

I would not be being read Singekuwa nasomwa

You would not be being read Usingekuwa unasomwa

He/she would not be being read Asingekuwa anasomwa

We would not be being read Tusingekuwa tunasomwa

They would not be being read Wasingekuwa wanasomwa

I would not have been being read Singalikuwa nasomwa

You would not have been being read Usingalikuwa unasomwa

He/she would not have been being read Asingalikuwa anasomwa

We would not have been being read Tusingalikuwa tunasomwa

They would not have been being read Wasingalikuwa wanasomwa

I would not like to be read Singependa kusomwa

You would not like to be helped Usingependa kusaidiwa

He would not like to be seen Asingependa kuonekana

They would not like to be punished Wasingependa kuadhibiwa

if kama

if ikiwa

if (formal) iwapo

if (formal/future) endapo

when wakati

when (verb form) -ki-

whenever kila wakati / kila mara

as soon as mara tu

unless isipokuwa / kama usipo

provided that mradi

as long as maadamu

even if hata kama

even when hata wakati

in case ikiwa / endapo

otherwise la sivyo / vinginevyo

whether or not iwe ... au la

14- COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE

Positive degree tall noun + adjective Mtu ni mrefu The person is tall

Positive degree good noun + adjective Kitabu ni kizuri The book is good

Equal comparison as tall as A ni kama B / A ni sawa na B Juma ni mrefu kama Ali Juma is as tall as Ali

Equal comparison as good as A ni sawa na B Kitabu hiki ni kizuri sawa na kile This book is as good as that one

Comparative taller than adjective + kuliko + noun/person Juma ni mrefu kuliko Ali Juma is taller than Ali

Comparative bigger than kubwa kuliko Nyumba hii ni kubwa kuliko ile This house is bigger than that one

Comparative better than bora kuliko Hiki ni bora kuliko kile This is better than that

Comparative more than zaidi ya / kuliko Anasoma zaidi kuliko mimi He reads more than me

Comparative less than chini ya / si ... sana kama Hii si ghali sana kama ile This is not as expensive as that

Strong comparative much better/more zaidi sana kuliko Yeye ni bora zaidi sana kuliko wengine He is much better than others

Superlative the tallest adjective + kuliko wote Juma ni mrefu kuliko wote Juma is the tallest

Superlative the biggest adjective + kuliko zote Nyumba hii ni kubwa kuliko zote This house is the biggest

Superlative the best bora kuliko wote Yeye ni bora kuliko wote He is the best

Absolute superlative very tall adjective + sana Yeye ni mrefu sana He is very tall

Absolute superlative extremely good adjective + kabisa Chakula ni kizuri kabisa The food is extremely good

Verb comparative work more than verb + zaidi kuliko Anafanya kazi zaidi kuliko mimi He works more than me

Verb superlative work the most verb + zaidi kuliko wote Anafanya kazi zaidi kuliko wote He works the most

Correlative comparison the more..., the more... Kadiri + verb, ndivyo + verb + zaidi Kadiri unavyosoma, ndivyo unavyojifunza zaidi The more you read, the more you learn

Comparative adjective adjective + kuliko Ali ni mrefu kuliko Juma. Ali is taller than Juma.

More + adjective adjective + zaidi Yeye ni mrefu zaidi. He is taller/more tall.

Comparative with kushinda adjective + kushinda + object Ali ni mrefu kumshinda Juma. Ali is taller than Juma.

Less adjective opposite adjective / kidogo Juma ni mfupi kuliko Ali. Juma is less tall/shorter than Ali.

Equal adjective + kama Ali ni mrefu kama Juma. Ali is as tall as Juma.

Not equal si + adjective + kama Ali si mrefu kama Juma. Ali isn't as tall as Juma.

Superlative adjective + zaidi Ali ndiye mrefu zaidi. Ali is the tallest.

Superlative of all adjective + kuliko wote Ali ni mrefu kuliko wote. Ali is the tallest of all.

Least kidogo zaidi / opposite Anapenda kidogo zaidi. He likes it the least.

Comparative adverb adverb + kuliko Anakimbia haraka kuliko Juma. He runs faster than Juma.

Superlative adverb adverb + zaidi Anakimbia haraka zaidi. He runs the fastest.

More nouns zaidi ya + noun watu zaidi ya kumi more than ten people

Fewer nouns vichache kuliko vitabu vichache kuliko fewer books than

Much more sana / nyingi zaidi pesa nyingi zaidi much/more money

A little more kidogo zaidi maji kidogo zaidi a little more water

More and more zaidi na zaidi zaidi na zaidi more and more

The more..., the more... kadiri..., ndivyo... Kadiri anavyosoma, ndivyo anavyojua zaidi. The more he studies, the more he knows.

15- RELATIVE CLAUSES

Subject prefix + tense marker + relative marker + verb stem OR: Noun + verb with relative marker

The man who reads Mtu anayesoma

FORMATION:

mtu man/person

a- he/she (subject marker)

-na- present tense

-ye- relative marker (Class 1 person)

soma read

The woman who came Mwanamke aliyekuja

The book that I bought Kitabu nilichonunua

The food that she cooked Chakula alichopika

The house that they built Nyumba waliyoijenga

The place where I live Mahali ninapoishi

The person who will come Mtu atakayekuja

The book that is not read Kitabu kisichosomwa

Present subject relative subject + na + relative + verb mtu anayesoma

Past subject relative subject + li + relative + verb mtu aliyesoma

Future subject relative subject + ta + ka + relative + verb mtu atakayesoma

Present object relative subject + na + relative + verb kitabu ninachosoma

Past object relative subject + li + relative + verb kitabu nilichosoma

Future object relative subject + ta + ka + relative + verb kitabu nitakachosoma

Full relative noun + ambaye/ambao/ambacho/etc. + clause mtu ambaye anasoma

Location clause + -po/-ko/-mo mahali ninapoishi

Negative negative subject + relative + verb mtu asiyesoma

Passive relative + passive verb kitabu kilichosomwa

REDUCED:

Present active SM + na + REL + verb mtu anayesoma person reading

Present passive SM + na + REL + passive kitabu kinachosomwa book being read

Past active SM + li + REL + verb mtu aliyesoma person who read

Past passive SM + li + REL + passive kitabu kilichosomwa book that was read

Future active SM + ta-ka + REL + verb mtu atakayesoma person who will read

Future passive SM + ta-ka + REL + passive kitabu kitakachosomwa book that will be read

Negative active negative SM + REL + verb mtu asiyesoma person who doesn't read

Negative passive negative SM + REL + passive kitabu kisichosomwa book not read

Object relative SM + tense + REL + verb kitabu nilichosoma book I read

Location SM + tense + po + verb mahali ninapoishi place where I live

SM (SUBJECT MARKERS):

Class Singular/Plural Subject Marker Example Translation

1 singular a- mtoto anasoma the child is reading

2 plural wa- watoto wanasoma the children are reading

3 singular u- mti unakua the tree is growing

4 plural i- miti inakua the trees are growing

5 singular li- gari linakuja the car is coming

6 plural ya- magari yanakuja the cars are coming

7 singular ki- kitabu kimeanguka the book has fallen

8 plural vi- vitabu vimeanguka the books have fallen

9 singular i- nyumba imejengwa the house has been built

10 plural zi- nyumba zimejengwa the houses have been built

11 singular u- ulimi unasonga the tongue is moving

14 abstract u- uzuri unaonekana beauty is visible

REL (RELATIVE MARKERS):

1. Relative Marker by Noun Class

Class Noun example REL marker Example English

1 mtu -ye- mtu anayesoma person who reads

2 watu -o- watu wanaosoma people who read

3 mti -o- mti unaoanguka tree that falls

4 miti -yo- miti inayoanguka trees that fall

5 gari -lo- gari linalokuja car that comes

6 magari -yo- magari yanayokuja cars that come

7 kitabu -cho- kitabu kinachosomwa book that is read

8 vitabu -vyo- vitabu vinavyosomwa books that are read

9 nyumba -yo- nyumba inayojengwa house that is built

10 nyumba -zo- nyumba zinazojengwa houses that are built

11 ulimi -o- ulimi unaozungumza tongue that...

14 uzuri -o- uzuri unaoonekana beauty that is visible

16- REPORTED SPEECH AND DIRECT SPEECH

Direct Speech: Subject + alisema/alisema kwamba + "exact words"

Reported Speech:

Statement alisema kwamba + clause Alisema kwamba anasoma. He/she said that he/she is reading.

Negative statement alisema kwamba + negative clause Alisema kwamba hasomi. He/she said that he/she is not reading.

Yes/No question aliuliza kama + clause Aliuliza kama anakuja. He/she asked if he/she was coming.

WH question aliuliza + question word + clause Aliuliza lini atakuja. He/she asked when he/she would come.

Command alimwambia + subjunctive Alimwambia asome. He/she told him/her to read.

Negative command alimwambia + asi + verb Alimwambia asiende. He/she told him/her not to go.

Request aliomba + subjunctive Aliomba asaidiwe. He/she asked to be helped.

Advice alishauri + subjunctive Alishauri afanye kazi. He/she advised him/her to work.

Promise aliahidi kwamba + future Aliahidi kwamba atakuja. He/she promised that he/she would come.

Warning alionya + subjunctive Alionya asiende. He/she warned him/her not to go.

17- INFINITIVES AND VERBAL NOUNS

to read kusoma

to eat kula

to write kuandika

to run kukimbia

to sleep kulala

to speak kuzungumza

Reading is fun Kusoma ni kufurahisha

Eating is important Kula ni muhimu

Swimming is healthy Kuogelea ni afya

-aji = the act/person involved in an action

soma usomaji reading

fundisha ufundishaji teaching

lima kilimo farming

jenga ujenzi building

safiri usafiri traveling/transport

He walks while singing Anatembea akiimba (subject + ki + verb)

She cooks while talking Anapika akizungumza

They work while listening Wanafanya kazi wakisikiliza

I am happy seeing you Ninafurahi kukuona verb + ku + object + infinitive

I am happy to see you Ninafurahi kukuona verb + infinitive

I plan to eat Ninapanga kula plan verb + ku + verb

I plan eating Ninapanga kula plan verb + ku + verb

I see him run Ninamuona akikimbia see + object + ki + verb

I see him running Ninamuona akikimbia see + object + ki + verb

I eat to play Ninakula ili nicheze action + ili + subjunctive

I eat in order to play Ninakula ili nicheze purpose + subjunctive

18- SUBJUNCTIVE

Let him read a + verb + e Asome

Let us go tu + verb + e Twende

Want someone to do taka + subjunctive Nataka aje

Purpose ili + subjunctive Ili nisome

Must/need lazima + subjunctive Lazima ufanye

Reported command verb + subjunctive Alimwambia aje

Negative subject + si + verb + e Asisome

19- TAG QUESTIONS

isn't it? si? / sivyo? Ni nzuri, sivyo?

aren't you? si? Unakuja, si?

doesn't he? si? Anasoma, si?

didn't they? si? / sivyo? Walifika, sivyo?

won't she? si? Atakuja, si?

right? ndiyo? Uko tayari, ndiyo?

true? kweli? Ni kweli, kweli?

okay? sawa? Twende, sawa?

Let's eat, shall we? Tule, sawa?

Let's study, shall we? Tusome, sawa?

She will go, won't she? Ataenda, si?

They will help, won't they? Watasaidia, si?

Don't I read? Sisomi? si + verb

Don't you read? Husomi? hu + verb

Doesn't he read? Hasomi? ha + verb

Don't they read? Hawasomi? hawa + verb

Didn't you read? Hukusoma? huku + verb

Didn't he come? Hakuja? haku + verb

Didn't they eat? Hawakula? hawaku + verb

Won't you come? Hutakuja? huta + verb

Won't they go? Hawataenda? hawata + verb

Haven't you read? Hujasoma? huja + verb

Hasn't she arrived? Hajafika? haja + verb

20- MODAL WORDS

Swahili Transliteration English Example English translation

-weza -weza can, be able to Ninaweza kuogelea. I can swim.

kuweza kuweza to be able to Anaweza kuja kesho. He/She can come tomorrow.

uwezo uwezo ability, capacity Ana uwezo wa kuendesha gari. He/She has the ability to drive.

kuwa na uwezo wa kuwa na uwezo wa be able to Tuna uwezo wa kumsaidia. We are able to help him/her.

-weza is the main modal verb for can/be able to.

2. Inability — “cannot / be unable to”

Swahili Transliteration English Example English translation

hawezi hawezi cannot Hawezi kuja leo. He/She cannot come today.

siwezi siwezi I cannot Siwezi kulala. I cannot sleep.

kutoweza kutoweza to be unable to Kutoweza kuja kulikuwa tatizo. Being unable to come was a problem.

kutokuwa na uwezo wa kutokuwa na uwezo wa be unable to Hakuwa na uwezo wa kulipa. He/She was unable to pay.

3. Necessity / obligation — “must / have to”

Swahili Transliteration English Example English translation

-lazima -lazima must, have to Lazima nisome. I must study.

lazima lazima necessarily, must Lazima afanye kazi. He/She must work.

-hitaji -hitaji need Nahitaji kwenda. I need to go.

kuhitaji kuhitaji to need Anahitaji kupumzika. He/She needs to rest.

sharti sharti must, it is required that Sharti ufike mapema. You must arrive early.

ni lazima ni lazima it is necessary / must Ni lazima tuondoke sasa. We must leave now.

inabidi inabidi have to, must Inabidi nifanye kazi. I have to work.

ilibidi ilibidi had to Ilibidi niende. I had to go.

lazima, sharti, and inabidi are particularly important.

4. Necessity — “need to”

Swahili Transliteration English Example

kuhitaji kuhitaji need to Nahitaji kusoma. — I need to study.

-hitaji -hitaji need Anahitaji msaada. — He/She needs help.

lazima lazima need/must Lazima tuondoke. — We need to leave.

inabidi inabidi have to Inabidi twende. — We have to go.

sharti sharti must, be required to Sharti alipe. — He/She must pay.

kuwa na haja ya kuwa na haja ya need to / have a need to Nina haja ya kuzungumza naye. — I need to speak with him/her.

5. Lack of necessity — “do not have to / need not”

Swahili Transliteration English Example

si lazima si lazima do not have to / not necessarily Si lazima uje.

haina haja ya haina haja ya there is no need to Haina haja ya kuogopa.

hakuna haja ya hakuna haja ya there is no need to Hakuna haja ya kuondoka.

si lazima kwamba si lazima kwamba it is not necessarily the case that Si lazima kwamba atakuja.

6. Permission — “may / can / be allowed to”

Swahili Transliteration English Example

-weza -weza can / may Unaweza kuingia.

kuruhusiwa kuruhusiwa be allowed to Unaruhusiwa kuingia.

ruhusu ruhusu allow / permit Mwalimu ameruhusu wanafunzi kuondoka.

ruhusa ruhusa permission Nina ruhusa ya kuondoka.

kuwa na ruhusa ya kuwa na ruhusa ya have permission to Ana ruhusa ya kutumia simu.

7. Prohibition — “must not / may not / cannot”

Swahili Transliteration English Example

hairuhusiwi hairuhusiwi it is not allowed Hairuhusiwi kuvuta sigara hapa.

haruhusiwi haruhusiwi he/she is not allowed Haruhusiwi kuingia.

usiruhusiwe usiruhusiwe do not be allowed / may you not be allowed Usiruhusiwe kufanya hivyo.

marufuku marufuku forbidden / prohibited Ni marufuku kuingia.

katazwa katazwa be prohibited Ni marufuku kupiga picha.

kukataza kukataza prohibit / forbid Anakataza watoto kucheza hapa.

8. Advice — “should / ought to”

Swahili commonly expresses should through lazima, inabidi, ni vizuri, ni bora, and related constructions.

Swahili Transliteration English Example

ni vizuri ni vizuri it is good / should Ni vizuri upumzike.

ni bora ni bora it is better / should Ni bora uende nyumbani.

inabidi inabidi should / have to Inabidi uzungumze naye.

lazima lazima must / should Lazima uwe mwangalifu.

ni vyema ni vyema it is good / advisable Ni vyema kusubiri.

ingefaa ingefaa it would be appropriate / should Ingefaa uende sasa.

inapendekezwa inapendekezwa it is recommended Inapendekezwa kunywa maji mengi.

9. Possibility — “may / might / could”

Swahili Transliteration English Example

-weza -weza may / can / could Anaweza kuchelewa.

huenda huenda may / might / perhaps Huenda akaja kesho.

labda labda perhaps / maybe Labda atakuja.

pengine pengine perhaps / maybe Pengine tutakutana kesho.

inawezekana inawezekana it is possible Inawezekana mvua ikanyesha.

yawezekana yawezekana possibly / it may be Yawezekana akafika kesho.

uwezekano uwezekano possibility Kuna uwezekano wa mvua.

huenda + subjunctive is especially important for may/might:

Huenda akaja.

Huenda akaja.

“He/She may come.”

10. Probability — “probably / likely”

Swahili Transliteration English Example

huenda huenda may / might / probably Huenda akawa nyumbani.

labda labda perhaps / maybe Labda yuko kazini.

pengine pengine perhaps Pengine amesahau.

inawezekana inawezekana possibly Inawezekana wameondoka.

uwezekano mkubwa uwezekano mkubwa high possibility Kuna uwezekano mkubwa wa kuchelewa.

uwezekano mdogo uwezekano mdogo low possibility Kuna uwezekano mdogo wa kushinda.

bila shaka bila shaka undoubtedly / certainly Bila shaka atakuja.

11. Certainty — “certainly / definitely”

Swahili Transliteration English Example

hakika hakika certainly / surely Hakika atakuja.

kwa hakika kwa hakika certainly / definitely Kwa hakika tutashinda.

bila shaka bila shaka without doubt Bila shaka ni kweli.

kwa kweli kwa kweli truly / indeed Kwa kweli amefanya hivyo.

naam naam yes / indeed Naam, nitakuja.

ndiyo ndiyo yes / indeed Ndiyo, ni kweli.

12. Uncertainty — “perhaps / maybe / possibly”

Swahili Transliteration English Example

labda labda maybe / perhaps Labda atakuja.

pengine pengine perhaps Pengine yuko nyumbani.

huenda huenda may / might Huenda akawa mgonjwa.

inawezekana inawezekana possibly Inawezekana amesahau.

yawezekana yawezekana possibly Yawezekana akachelewa.

sijui kama sijui kama I don't know whether Sijui kama atakuja.

huenda isiwe huenda isiwe it may not be Huenda isiwe kweli.

13. Intention — “intend / plan / be going to”

Swahili Transliteration English Example

kutaka kutaka want to Nataka kwenda.

nia nia intention Nina nia ya kusafiri.

kuwa na nia ya kuwa na nia ya intend to Ana nia ya kujifunza.

kupanga kupanga plan to Tumepanga kuondoka kesho.

kuwa na mpango wa kuwa na mpango wa plan/intend to Nina mpango wa kusoma.

kukusudia kukusudia intend / mean to Ninakusudia kuondoka.

kudhamiria kudhamiria be determined/intend to Amedhamiria kushinda.

14. Desire / willingness — “want / would like”

Swahili Transliteration English Example

kutaka kutaka want Nataka kula.

kutamani kutamani desire / long for Ninatamani kusafiri.

kuhitaji kuhitaji want/need Nahitaji msaada.

kupenda kupenda would like / like Ningependa kwenda.

ningependa ningependa I would like Ningependa kuzungumza nawe.

utashi utashi will / willingness Ana utashi wa kusaidia.

15. Refusal — “refuse / will not”

Swahili Transliteration English Example

kukataa kukataa refuse / reject Alikataa kuondoka.

kugoma kugoma refuse / decline Aligoma kufanya kazi.

kutotaka kutotaka not want to Hataki kuondoka.

kukataa kabisa kukataa kabisa refuse completely Alikataa kabisa kusaidia.

16. Willingness — “be willing to”

Swahili Transliteration English Example

kuwa tayari kuwa tayari be ready/willing Niko tayari kusaidia.

kuwa radhi kuwa radhi be willing Yuko radhi kusaidia.

kupenda kupenda be willing / would like Ningependa kusaidia.

kukubali kukubali agree / consent Alikubali kusaidia.

17. Hope — “hope”

Swahili Transliteration English Example

kutumaini kutumaini hope Ninatumaini atakuja.

matumaini matumaini hope Nina matumaini ya kufaulu.

tumaini tumaini hope Tumaini lipo.

kwa matumaini kwa matumaini hopefully Kwa matumaini, tutafaulu.

18. Habit / tendency — “usually / tend to / be accustomed to”

Swahili Transliteration English Example

hu- hu- usually / habitually Husoma kila siku.

mara nyingi mara nyingi often / usually Mara nyingi huchelewa.

kwa kawaida kwa kawaida normally / usually Kwa kawaida huamka mapema.

kwa desturi kwa desturi habitually / traditionally Kwa desturi huenda huko.

mazoea mazoea habit Ana mazoea ya kusoma usiku.

kuwa na mazoea ya kuwa na mazoea ya be accustomed to Nina mazoea ya kuamka mapema.

The hu- habitual marker is particularly important:

Husoma. = He/she usually reads.

19. Prediction / expectation

Swahili Transliteration English Example

-ta- -ta- will Atakuja kesho.

kutegemea kutegemea expect Ninategemea atakuja.

matarajio matarajio expectations Matarajio ni makubwa.

tarajiwa tarajiwa be expected Anatarajiwa kufika kesho.

kuwa na matarajio ya kuwa na matarajio ya expect to Tuna matarajio ya kushinda.

20. Necessity from circumstances

Swahili Transliteration English Example

inabidi inabidi have to Inabidi niende.

ilibidi ilibidi had to Ilibidi tuondoke.

itabidi itabidi will have to Itabidi ufanye hivyo.

lazima lazima must Lazima tufanye kazi.

sharti sharti must / be required to Sharti ufuate sheria.

This gives a useful tense-like series:

Time Swahili English

Present inabidi have to

Past ilibidi had to

Future itabidi will have to

21. “Would”

Swahili does not have one single word corresponding exactly to English would. The translation depends on its meaning.

Meaning of “would” Swahili Example English

willingness -nge- + pend(a) Ningependa kwenda. I would like to go.

hypothetical -nge- Ningekwenda kama ningekuwa na wakati. I would go if I had time.

habitual past -ki- / hu- / alikuwa akifanya depending context Alipokuwa mdogo, alicheza hapa kila siku. When he/she was young, he/she would play here every day.

conditional result -nge- Angekuja kama angemwalika. He/She would come if he/she were invited.

The -nge- conditional is the major equivalent for hypothetical would.

22. “Could”

Swahili Transliteration English

-weza -weza can / could

angeweza angeweza could / would be able to

ingewezekana ingewezekana it would be possible

huenda huenda could / might

labda labda could perhaps / maybe

Example:

Angeweza kufanya hivyo.

Angeweza kufanya hivyo.

“He/She could do that.”

23. “Should”

Swahili Transliteration English

lazima lazima must / should

inabidi inabidi have to / should

ni vizuri ni vizuri should / it is good to

ni bora ni bora should / it is better to

ni vyema ni vyema should / it is advisable

ingefaa ingefaa should / it would be appropriate

inapendekezwa inapendekezwa should / is recommended

24. “May / might”

Swahili Transliteration English

-weza -weza may / might

huenda huenda may / might

labda labda may / might / maybe

pengine pengine may / might / perhaps

inawezekana inawezekana may be possible

yawezekana yawezekana may possibly be

ingewezekana ingewezekana might/could be possible

25. “Must” — two important meanings

Swahili uses different constructions depending on whether must means obligation or inference.

English meaning Swahili Example English

must = obligation lazima Lazima afanye kazi. He/She must work.

must = requirement sharti Sharti ufuate sheria. You must follow the rules.

must = circumstantial necessity inabidi Inabidi niende. I have to go.

must = strong inference huenda / lazima iwe... depending context Lazima awe nyumbani. He/She must be at home.

26. “Be able to”

Swahili Transliteration English

kuweza kuweza be able to

kuwa na uwezo wa kuwa na uwezo wa have the ability to

uwezo uwezo ability/capacity

-weza -weza can/be able to

Example:

Anaweza kuogelea.

“He/She can swim.”

27. “Be supposed to”

There is no single universal Swahili equivalent. Common constructions include:

Swahili Transliteration English

inatarajiwa inatarajiwa is expected to

anatarajiwa anatarajiwa he/she is expected to

inabidi inabidi is supposed/required to

lazima lazima must / is required to

imepangwa imepangwa it is planned/scheduled

inapangwa inapangwa it is being planned

Example:

Anatarajiwa kufika saa mbili.

“He/She is expected to arrive at two o'clock.”

28. “Used to”

Swahili generally uses the habitual hu-, mara nyingi, or explicit past-habit constructions.

Swahili Transliteration English

hu- hu- usually / habitually

alikuwa akifanya alikuwa akifanya used to do / would do

mara nyingi mara nyingi often

kwa kawaida kwa kawaida usually

Example:

Nilikuwa nikisoma hapa.

Nilikuwa nikisoma hapa.

“I used to study here.”

29. “Dare”

Swahili Transliteration English

kuthubutu kuthubutu dare

uthubutu uthubutu courage / daring

kuwa na ujasiri wa kuwa na ujasiri wa have the courage to

kutokuwa na ujasiri wa kutokuwa na ujasiri wa not dare

Example:

Sithubutu kusema hivyo.

“I don't dare say that.”

30. “Be likely to”

Swahili Transliteration English

uwezekano wa uwezekano wa likelihood of

kuna uwezekano wa kuna uwezekano wa there is a possibility of

inawezekana inawezekana it is possible

huenda huenda may/might

anatarajiwa anatarajiwa is expected to

Example:

Kuna uwezekano wa mvua kunyesha.

“There is a possibility that it will rain.”

31. “Be unlikely to”

Swahili Transliteration English

uwezekano mdogo wa uwezekano mdogo wa low likelihood of

si rahisi si rahisi unlikely / not easy

haiwezekani haiwezekani it is impossible

huenda asi- huenda asi- may not

uwezekano wa ... ni mdogo uwezekano wa ... ni mdogo likelihood is low

32. Important modal particles and adverbs

These are not modal verbs, but they contribute strongly to modality.

Swahili Transliteration English

labda labda maybe, perhaps

pengine pengine perhaps

huenda huenda perhaps, may, might

hakika hakika certainly, surely

kwa hakika kwa hakika certainly, definitely

bila shaka bila shaka undoubtedly

kweli kweli really, truly

kwa kweli kwa kweli really, indeed

inawezekana inawezekana possibly

yawezekana yawezekana possibly

lazima lazima necessarily, must

sharti sharti necessarily, must

bila shaka yoyote bila shaka yoyote without any doubt

kwa uwezekano mkubwa kwa uwezekano mkubwa most probably / with high probability

kwa bahati kwa bahati fortunately/by luck

kwa bahati mbaya kwa bahati mbaya unfortunately

eti eti supposedly / allegedly / so-called

inasemekana inasemekana reportedly / it is said

inadaiwa inadaiwa it is alleged / reportedly

33. Modal adjectives and related words

These are not modal verbs, but they express possibility, necessity, certainty, etc.

Swahili Transliteration English

-wezekana -wezekana possible

-wezekani -wezekani impossible / not possible

muhimu muhimu important / necessary

lazima lazima necessary / obligatory

bora bora better / preferable

vyema vyema good / advisable

tayari tayari ready

radhi radhi willing

hakika hakika certain

wazi wazi clear / obvious

mashaka mashaka doubtful / doubts

shaka shaka doubt

uhakika uhakika certainty

uwezekano uwezekano possibility

haiwezekani haiwezekani impossible

inawezekana inawezekana possible

34. Modal nouns

Swahili Transliteration English

uwezo uwezo ability

uwezekano uwezekano possibility

lazima lazima necessity

haja haja need

sharti sharti requirement/condition

ruhusa ruhusa permission

marufuku marufuku prohibition

nia nia intention

mpango mpango plan

matumaini matumaini hope

tumaini tumaini hope

utashi utashi willingness/will

uhakika uhakika certainty

mashaka mashaka doubts

dhamira dhamira intention/purpose

matarajio matarajio expectations

ushawishi ushawishi persuasion/influence

ushauri ushauri advice

21- THERE IS / HAVE / BE

There is/are kuna general existence

There isn't/aren't hakuna negative existence

There is a person yupo one person

There are people wapo many people

There is (KI noun) kipo kitabu, kiti

There are (VI nouns) vipo vitabu, viti

There is (N noun) ipo nyumba, gari

There are (N plural) zipo nyumba, gari

There is (JI noun) lipo jiko

There are (MA nouns) yapo majiko

I have nina ni + na

you have una u + na

he/she has ana a + na

we have tuna tu + na

they have wana wa + na

I don't have sina si + na

he doesn't have hana ha + na

I had nilikuwa na ni + li + kuwa na

I will have nitakuwa na ni + ta + kuwa na

I have had nimekuwa na ni + me + kuwa na

Do you have? una? present question

Must/have to lazima obligation

You singular verb stem Soma! Read!

You plural/formal stem + ni Someni! Read!

Negative singular usi + stem + e Usisome! Don't read!

Negative plural msi + stem + e Msisome! Don't read!

Let's tu + stem + e Tusome! Let's read!

Let's not tusi + stem + e Tusisome! Let's not read!

Active command verb stem Soma! Read!

Passive command passive + e Somwe! Be read!

Let + noun be done noun + agreement + passive-e Kitabu kisomwe Let the book be read

Negative passive usi + passive + e Usisomwe Don't be read

Negative plural msi + passive + e Msisomwe Don't be read (plural)

Let's passive tu + passive + e Tusomwe Let's be read