SPEAK FLUENTLY

IT’S TIME TO

FORGET YOUR FEARS

Despite what you have heard, Swahili grammar is actually quite easy to learn! This Grammar Section is designed to make learning the rules as quick as possible so you can start building your own sentences. Unlike other courses we want you to familiarise with the most important rules to speak Swahili immediately from today.

We use the Zagreb Method for teaching grammar. Instead of presenting grammar as abstract rules, we integrates it directly into real-life communication and scenarios. Our students are introduced to grammar through dialogues and situational context that reflect everyday interactions. The method also incorporates repetition and variation, gradually increasing the complexity of sentences to help learners internalize grammatical patterns naturally.

The sections below cover everything you need to know from basic sentence construction and verb conjugations to more complex topics like noun cases, gender agreements, together with practical examples to help you understand and memorise the Swahili grammar rules. Be sure to learn the core 2000 Swahili vocabulary first so you can follow the examples more easily.

Click on the titles below to reach the section you are interested in or simply start learning from the beginning.

Alphabet
Nouns
Cases
Articles
Adjectives
Pronouns
Prepositions
Adverbs
Present Tense
Past Tense
Future Tense
Imperative
Passive
Negation
Word Order
Questions
Relative Clauses

Swahili Alphabet

Swahili, also known as Kiswahili, uses a version of the Latin alphabet, making it relatively straightforward for learners who are familiar with this script. However, Swahili pronunciation and some unique phonetic features set it apart from other languages that use the Latin alphabet. Understanding the basics of the Swahili alphabet and pronunciation is a crucial step in mastering the language.

Swahili consists of 24 letters:

a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, r, s, t, u, v, w, y, z

Notably, the letters q and x are not used in native Swahili words. These letters may appear in borrowed words, especially from Arabic or English, but they are rare.

Pronunciation

Swahili is a phonetic language, meaning that words are pronounced as they are written. Each letter generally corresponds to one sound. Below is an overview of the pronunciation of Swahili vowels and consonants:

Vowels

Swahili has five vowels: a, e, i, o, u. These vowels are pronounced consistently:

a: Pronounced as in "father"
e: Pronounced as in "bed"
i: Pronounced as in "machine"
o: Pronounced as in "or"
u: Pronounced as in "flute"

Vowels are never silent, and they are always pronounced clearly, even when they appear in combination.

Consonants

Most Swahili consonants are pronounced similarly to their English counterparts, but there are some notable differences:

c: Always pronounced as "ch" in "church" (e.g., "cheza" means "to play").
g: Always pronounced as the hard "g" in "go" (e.g., "ngoma" means "drum").
j: Pronounced as in "jam" (e.g., "jina" means "name").
r: A lightly rolled or trilled "r."
s: Always pronounced as in "sun" (never as in "rose").
z: Pronounced as in "zebra."

Unique Sounds

Swahili includes some consonant combinations and sounds that may be unfamiliar to English speakers:

ng': A nasalized "ng" sound, as in "ng'ombe" (cow).
ny: Pronounced like the "ny" in "canyon," as in "nyumba" (house).
dh: Similar to the "th" in "this," as in "dhahabu" (gold).
gh: A guttural sound, similar to the Arabic "gh," though it is uncommon.
sh: Pronounced as in "ship," as in "shule" (school).
ch: Pronounced as in "church," as in "chakula" (food).

Stress and Intonation

Swahili is not a tonal language, making it easier for many learners compared to languages like Mandarin or Zulu. Stress is usually placed on the penultimate (second-to-last) syllable of a word. For example:

kitabu (book) is pronounced ki-TA-bu.
rafiki (friend) is pronounced ra-FI-ki.

EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Download our complete Uzbek language course below to learn Uzbek in 30 days and never be at a loss for words!

You will receive not only all the contents available on our website in a convenient pdf or epub formats but also additional contents, including bonus Vocabulary, more Grammar rules and exclusive Cultural insights with additional vocabulary you won't in any other textbook.

The additional vocabulary includes 200 different topics and more than 15.000 of the most important words, including specific categories like sports, religion, business, professions, nationalities, politics, slang, anatomy, medicine, nature, animals, etc., to allow to speak about any immaginable topic with confidence.

DOWNLOAD SAMPLE

Nouns in Swahili

Understanding how nouns work in Swahili is crucial for mastering the language as it affects agreement in verbs, adjectives, pronouns, and other grammatical structures.

Noun Classes in Swahili

Swahili nouns are grouped into several classes. Each class has a specific prefix that determines how the noun behaves in a sentence. Noun classes are similar to grammatical genders in other languages but are more extensive in their scope and application. They often categorize nouns by their meaning, such as people, animals, objects, or abstract concepts.

Examples:

mtoto child
mti tree
kitabu book

Singular and Plural Forms

Swahili nouns change their prefixes to indicate singular and plural forms. Each noun class has its specific way of forming the plural, typically by changing the prefix.

M-/Wa- Class: This class is used for people and some animals.
- Singular: mtoto child
- Plural: watoto children
M-/Mi- Class: Used for objects, trees, and natural phenomena.
- Singular: mti tree
- Plural: miti trees
Ki-/Vi- Class: Used for objects, diminutives, and tools.
- Singular: kitabu book
- Plural: vitabu books
N-/N- Class: Used for animals, abstract nouns, and some objects. The prefix often remains unchanged between singular and plural.
- Singular: nyumba house
- Plural: nyumba houses
Ji-/Ma- Class: Used for large objects, body parts, and some abstract concepts.
- Singular: jicho eye
- Plural: macho eyes

Agreement with Other Parts of Speech

Nouns in Swahili control the agreement of verbs, adjectives, and possessive pronouns. This agreement is expressed through prefixes that match the noun class.

Examples:

M-/Wa- Class:
- Singular: Mtoto mzuri anacheza. The good child is playing.
- Plural: Watoto wazuri wanacheza. The good children are playing.
Ki-/Vi- Class:
- Singular: Kitabu kikubwa kiko mezani. The big book is on the table.
- Plural: Vitabu vikubwa viko mezani. The big books are on the table.

Possessive Forms

Possessive pronouns in Swahili agree with the noun class of the possessed item, not the possessor.

Examples:

mtoto wangu my child
watoto wangu my children
kitabu changu my book
vitabu vyangu my books

Locative Forms

Swahili nouns can also take locative suffixes such as -ni to indicate a place or location.

Examples:

shuleni at school
nyumbani at home

Diminutives and Augmentatives

Swahili allows you to modify the meaning of nouns using diminutive or augmentative prefixes. The ki-/vi- class often serves this purpose for diminutives, while the ma- prefix can suggest largeness or importance.

Examples:

Diminutive: kitoto small child
Augmentative: mwana mkubwa big/important person

Loanwords and Noun Classes

Swahili has borrowed many words from Arabic, English, and other languages. These loanwords are often adapted into the N-/N- class or another appropriate class.

Examples:

simu phone - N-/N- class
baiskeli bicycle - N-/N- class

Cases in Swahili

In Swahili, grammatical cases as they are understood in many Indo-European languages (e.g., nominative, accusative, dative) do not exist in the same explicit form. Instead, Swahili uses a system of prefixes, suffixes, and word order to convey the relationships between nouns, verbs, and other sentence elements. This structure is highly regular and relies on noun classes, prepositions, and specific verb constructions to express what cases do in other languages.

The Subject Case

The subject of a sentence in Swahili is marked by agreement prefixes on the verb. These prefixes match the noun class of the subject noun and indicate who or what is performing the action.

Examples:

Mtoto anakimbia. The child is running.
Watoto wanakimbia. The children are running.
Kitabu kiko mezani. The book is on the table.

Here, the prefixes ana-, wana-, and ki- agree with the noun classes of mtoto, watoto, and kitabu respectively.

The Object Case

Swahili marks objects within the verb itself using object markers. These markers are prefixes inserted into the verb stem to indicate the object of the action. The noun itself may also appear in the sentence, but it is not mandatory if the object marker is used.

Examples:

Without object marker: Mama anapika chakula. The mother is cooking food.
With object marker: Mama anakipika chakula. The mother is cooking it [the food].

In the second sentence, the object marker ki- refers to chakula (food), which belongs to the Ki-/Vi- noun class.

The Genitive Case

Swahili uses the particle -a to indicate possession, equivalent to the genitive case in languages like English or Russian. The -a particle takes prefixes based on the noun class of the possessed noun.

Examples:

Kitabu cha mwalimu. The teacher's book.
Vitabu vya wanafunzi. The students' books.
Nyumba ya mama. The mother's house.

The possessive marker (cha, vya, ya) matches the noun class of the possessed noun (kitabu, vitabu, nyumba).

The Locative Case

Swahili conveys location through the use of locative suffixes, primarily -ni, or through prepositions such as katika (in) and juu ya (on). The locative suffix is attached to nouns to indicate place, while prepositions are used for more complex relationships.

Examples:

With -ni: Shuleni kuna wanafunzi wengi. There are many students at school.
With preposition: Kitabu kiko juu ya meza. The book is on the table.

The Dative Case

The dative case, which indicates the recipient of an action, is expressed in Swahili by using object markers on the verb or the preposition kwa (to/for).

Examples:

With object marker: Mama ananipa chakula. Mother is giving me food.
With preposition: Mama anapeleka chakula kwa mtoto. Mother is taking food to the child.

In the first sentence, ni- is the object marker for the first-person singular, indicating "me" as the recipient. In the second sentence, kwa is used to introduce the recipient, mtoto (child).

The Instrumental Case

Swahili expresses the instrumental case, which indicates the means or tool by which an action is performed, using the preposition kwa (with/by).

Examples:

Anaandika kwa kalamu. He/She is writing with a pen.
Tunapika kwa jiko. We are cooking with a stove.

The Vocative Case

The vocative case, used for directly addressing someone, is implied through context and intonation in Swahili. Names and titles are often used without additional marking.

Examples:

Mwalimu, njoo hapa! Teacher, come here!
Rafiki, unakumbuka siku ile? Friend, do you remember that day?

The Ablative Case

The ablative case, which indicates movement away from something, is expressed in Swahili using the preposition kutoka (from).

Examples:

Anatoka nyumbani. He/She is coming from home.
Tulipata habari kutoka kwa mwalimu. We got the news from the teacher.

Adjectives in Swahili

In Swahili, adjectives play a vital role in describing nouns. However, their usage is governed by the language's noun class system, which means adjectives must agree with the noun they describe. This agreement is achieved by using prefixes that correspond to the noun class of the noun. Below is a detailed explanation of how adjectives work in Swahili, including agreement, position, and specific types of adjectives.

Adjective-Noun Agreement

Swahili adjectives must agree with the noun they modify in terms of the noun class. This agreement is achieved by attaching the appropriate prefix to the adjective stem. The prefixes depend on the class of the noun being described.

Examples:

mtoto mzuri good child
watoto wazuri good children
kitabu kizuri good book
vitabu vizuri good books

Here, the adjective zuri (zuri) (good) takes different prefixes (m-, wa-, ki-, vi-) depending on the noun class of mtoto, watoto, kitabu, or vitabu.

Position of Adjectives

In Swahili, adjectives usually follow the noun they describe. This is the standard word order for noun-adjective constructions.

Examples:

nyumba kubwa big house
magari mapya new cars
mwalimu mzee old teacher

Common Adjective Prefixes by Noun Class

Each noun class has specific prefixes that are applied to adjectives to create agreement. Here is how adjectives change based on common noun classes:

M-/Wa- Class (People and some animals):
- Singular: mtoto mzuri good child
- Plural: watoto wazuri good children
Ki-/Vi- Class (Objects, diminutives, tools):
- Singular: kitabu kizuri good book
- Plural: vitabu vizuri good books
M-/Mi- Class (Trees, natural phenomena):
- Singular: mti mrefu tall tree
- Plural: miti mirefu tall trees
N-/N- Class (Animals, abstract nouns, objects):
- Singular: nyumba ndogo small house
- Plural: nyumba ndogo small houses
Ji-/Ma- Class (Large objects, body parts):
- Singular: jicho kubwa big eye
- Plural: macho makubwa big eyes

Types of Adjectives

Swahili adjectives can describe various attributes of nouns, such as size, color, shape, age, and quality.

Size
- mti mkubwa big tree
- nyumba ndogo small house
Color
- kitabu chekundu red book
- magari meupe white cars
Shape
- jiwe la mviringo round stone
- meza ya mstatili rectangular table
Age
- mwalimu mzee old teacher
- kitabu kipya new book
Quality
- mtoto mzuri good child
- chakula kibaya bad food

Possessive Adjectives

Possessive adjectives in Swahili indicate ownership or association. They also agree with the noun class of the possessed noun.

Examples:

kitabu changu my book
vitabu vyetu our books
nyumba yako your house

Demonstrative Adjectives

Demonstrative adjectives are used to point to specific nouns. They also follow noun class agreement rules.

Examples:

mtoto huyu this child
watoto hawa these children
kitabu hiki this book
vitabu hivi these books

Numeral Adjectives

Numerals used as adjectives follow the noun they describe and sometimes require specific prefixes to agree with the noun class.

Examples:

mtoto mmoja one child
vitabu viwili two books
nyumba tatu three houses

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Swahili forms comparative and superlative adjectives using the word kuliko (than) or zaidi (more).

Examples:

Comparative: Mtoto huyu ni mzuri kuliko yule. This child is better than that one.
Superlative: Kitabu hiki ni kizuri zaidi. This book is the best.

Adjectives in Negative Sentences

When adjectives are used in negative sentences, the structure of the sentence changes, but the adjective itself remains unchanged.

Examples:

Positive: Mti huu ni mrefu. This tree is tall.
Negative: Mti huu si mrefu. This tree is not tall.

Pronouns in Swahili

Pronouns are an essential part of Swahili grammar, providing a way to refer to people, objects, and ideas without repeating nouns. In Swahili, pronouns are categorized into subject pronouns, object pronouns, possessive pronouns, reflexive pronouns, and demonstrative pronouns. These pronouns align with the noun class system, ensuring agreement throughout the sentence. Below is a detailed explanation of the types of pronouns in Swahili and how they function.

Subject Pronouns

Subject pronouns indicate who is performing the action of the verb. In Swahili, subject pronouns are usually not standalone words; instead, they are expressed as prefixes attached to the verb. These prefixes vary depending on the person and number.

Examples:

Ninapika chakula. I am cooking food.
Unasoma kitabu. You are reading a book.
Anakimbia haraka. He/She is running fast.
Tunacheza mpira. We are playing football.
Wanapenda wimbo huu. They like this song.

The subject prefixes ni- (I), u- (you, singular), a- (he/she), tu- (we), and wa- (they) mark the pronoun in each case.

Object Pronouns

Object pronouns refer to the receiver of the action in a sentence. Like subject pronouns, object pronouns are typically expressed as prefixes inserted into the verb.

Examples:

Without object pronoun: Mama anapika chakula. Mother is cooking food.
With object pronoun: Mama anakipika. Mother is cooking it.
Ninakupenda. I love you.
Tulimwona jana. We saw him/her yesterday.
Watakupigia simu. They will call you.

Here, object markers ki- (it), ku- (you), m- (him/her), and wa- (them) are embedded in the verb.

Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns indicate ownership. In Swahili, they are formed using the particle -a with prefixes that agree with the noun class of the possessed item, not the possessor.

Examples:

Kitabu changu kiko mezani. My book is on the table.
Nyumba yake ni kubwa. His/Her house is big.
Miti yetu imeanguka. Our trees have fallen.
Watoto wao wanacheza. Their children are playing.

Possessive pronouns like changu (my), yake (his/her), yetu (our), and wao (their) reflect the class of the noun being possessed (kitabu, nyumba, miti, watoto).

Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of the sentence are the same. In Swahili, the reflexive prefix ji- is attached to the verb.

Examples:

Anajisafisha. He/She is cleaning himself/herself.
Tunajipenda. We love ourselves.
Unajifunza Kiswahili. You are teaching yourself Swahili.

The reflexive marker ji- indicates that the subject is acting upon itself.

Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns in Swahili correspond to the English "this," "that," "these," and "those." They are tied to noun classes and have specific forms for proximity (near or far).

Examples:

Hii ni nyumba yangu. This is my house.
Hicho ni kitabu chake. That is his/her book.
Hizo ni barua zao. Those are their letters.
Huyu ni mtoto wetu. This is our child.

Demonstrative pronouns like hii (this, near, for nyumba), hicho (that, for kitabu), and huyu (this, near, for mtoto) agree with the noun class.

Interrogative Pronouns

Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions about people or things. Common interrogative pronouns include nani (who), nini (what), and ipi (which).

Examples:

Nani anakuja? Who is coming?
Unataka nini? What do you want?
Ni gari ipi? Which car is it?

These pronouns are standalone words and do not change form based on noun classes.

Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns in Swahili are expressed through prefixes and the use of -o. These pronouns link clauses and correspond to "who," "which," and "that" in English.

Examples:

Mwanafunzi anayesoma ni mjanja. The student who is reading is clever.
Kitabu kilicho mezani ni changu. The book that is on the table is mine.
Nyumba ambazo zinajengwa ni mpya. The houses that are being built are new.

The relative markers -ye, -cho, and -zo correspond to the noun classes of mwanafunzi (student), kitabu (book), and nyumba (houses).

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns in Swahili include words like kila (every), yeyote (anyone), and chochote (anything).

Examples:

Kila mtu ana nafasi. Everyone has a chance.
Yeyote anaweza kusaidia. Anyone can help.
Chochote unataka, sema. Whatever you want, say.

These pronouns are generally not affected by noun classes.

Adverbs in Swahili

Adverbs in Swahili play a vital role in modifying verbs, adjectives, and even other adverbs, just as they do in many languages. They provide additional information about how, when, where, or to what extent an action is performed. Swahili adverbs are often standalone words, but certain adverbial concepts are expressed through prepositional phrases or verb constructions. Below is a detailed explanation of Swahili adverbs, their categories, and their usage.

Types of Adverbs in Swahili

Adverbs in Swahili can be classified into several categories: adverbs of manner, time, place, degree, frequency, and interrogative adverbs.

Adverbs of Manner

Adverbs of manner describe how an action is performed. These adverbs often end with the suffix -vyo or appear as standalone words.

Examples:

Anaimba vizuri. She sings well.
Walifanya kazi kwa bidii. They worked diligently.
Mwalimu anafundisha kwa uangalifu. The teacher teaches carefully.)

In these examples, vizuri (well), kwa bidii (diligently), and kwa uangalifu (carefully) describe the manner of the action.

Adverbs of Time

Adverbs of time indicate when an action takes place. Swahili has a variety of words to express time concepts such as now, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Examples:

Anakuja sasa. He/She is coming now.
Tulionana jana. We met yesterday.
Watakuja kesho. They will come tomorrow.
Tunafanya kazi kila siku. We work every day.

Common adverbs of time include sasa (now), jana (yesterday), kesho (tomorrow), and kila siku (every day).

Adverbs of Place

Adverbs of place describe where an action occurs. They can be standalone words or phrases that incorporate prepositions like katika (in), juu ya (on), or chini ya (under).

Examples:

Yuko hapa. He/She is here.
Wanaenda huko. They are going there.
Kitabu kiko juu ya meza. The book is on the table.
Watoto wanacheza nje. The children are playing outside.

Adverbs like hapa (here), huko (there), juu ya (on), and nje (outside) specify the location of the action.

Adverbs of Degree

Adverbs of degree modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs to show the intensity or extent of an action or quality.

Examples:

Anafurahi sana. She is very happy.
Mtu yule ni mzuri kabisa. That person is extremely good.
Tunapenda kitabu hiki kidogo tu. We like this book just a little.

Adverbs like sana (very), kabisa (completely), and kidogo (a little) adjust the degree of the action or quality described.

Adverbs of Frequency

Adverbs of frequency indicate how often an action occurs. These can range from specific intervals to more general terms.

Examples:

Anaenda sokoni mara kwa mara. She goes to the market frequently.
Tunafanya mazoezi kila siku. We exercise every day.
Sikupata nafasi kamwe. I never got a chance.

Common adverbs of frequency include mara kwa mara (frequently), kila siku (every day), and kamwe (never).

Interrogative Adverbs

Interrogative adverbs are used to ask questions about time, place, manner, or reason.

Examples:

Unakuja lini? When are you coming?
Anaenda wapi? Where is he/she going?
Unafanya hivyo kwa nini? Why are you doing that?
Watakutana vipi? How will they meet?

Interrogative adverbs like lini (when), wapi (where), kwa nini (why), and vipi (how) are essential for forming questions.

Formation of Adverbs

Many Swahili adverbs are formed from adjectives or nouns using prefixes, suffixes, or prepositions. Below are some common patterns:

Using the Preposition "kwa":
- kwa uangalifu (carefully) is formed from angalifu (careful).
- kwa bidii (diligently) is formed from bidii (diligence).
Using the Suffix "-vyo":
- Amefanya alivyotaka. He/She did as he/she wanted.
- Watapanga watakavyofanya. They will plan how they will do it.)

Word Order with Adverbs

In Swahili, adverbs generally follow the verb or the phrase they modify. However, some adverbs, particularly those of time and place, can appear at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis.

Examples:

Leo tunasafiri. Today we are traveling.
Watoto wanakimbia haraka. The children are running quickly.
Huko tunataka kwenda kesho. We want to go there tomorrow.

The placement of adverbs often depends on the aspect of the sentence being emphasized.

Present Tense in Swahili

The present tense in Swahili is one of the foundational aspects of the language. It is used to describe actions or states that are currently happening or are generally true. In Swahili, verbs in the present tense are marked with the prefix -na- inserted between the subject prefix (indicating the person performing the action) and the verb root. This tense is straightforward and highly regular, making it an excellent starting point for learning Swahili verb conjugations.

Structure of Present Tense Verbs

The general structure of a Swahili verb in the present tense is as follows:

Subject Prefix + -na- + Verb Root

Each part has a specific role:

Subject Prefix: Indicates the person or subject performing the action.
-na-: Marks the present tense.
Verb Root: The base form of the verb.

Present Tense Conjugations for All Personal Pronouns

Below are the present tense conjugations for all personal pronouns in Swahili:

First Person Singular (I): ni-
- Ninakula. I am eating.
- Ninasoma. I am reading.
Second Person Singular (You): u-
- Unakimbia. You are running.
- Unapika. You are cooking.
Third Person Singular (He/She): a-
- Anacheka. He/She is laughing.
- Analala. He/She is sleeping.
First Person Plural (We): tu-
- Tunacheza. We are playing.
- Tunapenda. We like.
Second Person Plural (You All): m-
- Mnaandika. You all are writing.
- Mnasikiliza. You all are listening.
Third Person Plural (They): wa-
- Wanajifunza. They are learning.
- Wanapumzika. They are resting.

Examples with Different Verbs

To deepen your understanding, let’s look at how different verbs are conjugated across all pronouns.

Verb: Kula (to eat)

Ninakula. I am eating.
Unakula. You are eating.
Anakula. He/She is eating.
Tunakula. We are eating.
Mnakula. You all are eating.
Wanakula. They are eating.

Verb: Kupenda (to love/like)

Ninapenda. I like/love.
Unapenda. You like/love.
Anapenda. He/She likes/loves.
Tunapenda. We like/love.
Mnapenda. You all like/love.
Wanapenda. They like/love.

Key Features of Present Tense in Swahili

Verb Consistency Swahili verbs are highly regular in their conjugation. Once you learn the subject prefixes and the -na- marker, you can conjugate almost any verb in the present tense.
Use for General Truths The present tense is also used for general facts or truths:
- Maji yanachemka kwa joto la juu. Water boils at high temperatures.
Negation To form the negative present tense, replace the -na- marker with -i, and the subject prefix often changes:
- Mimi sikuli. I am not eating.
- Wewe huli. You are not eating.
- Yeye hali. He/She is not eating.
- Sisi hatuli. We are not eating.
- Ninyi hamli. You all are not eating.
- Wao hawali. They are not eating.

Past Tense in Swahili

The past tense in Swahili is used to describe actions or states that have already occurred. It is one of the most straightforward tenses in the language, characterized by the tense marker -li-, which is placed between the subject prefix and the verb root. Swahili's consistency and regularity make mastering the past tense a manageable task for learners.

Structure of the Past Tense

The general structure for forming the past tense in Swahili is as follows:

Subject Prefix + -li- + Verb Root

Each component serves a specific role:

Subject Prefix: Indicates the subject performing the action.
-li-: Marks the past tense.
Verb Root: The base form of the verb.

Conjugations for All Personal Pronouns

Here is how the past tense is conjugated with all the personal pronouns:

First Person Singular (I): ni-
- Nilikula. I ate.
- Nilisoma. I read.
Second Person Singular (You): u-
- Ulikimbia. You ran.
- Ulifanya kazi. You worked.
Third Person Singular (He/She): a-
- Alipika. He/She cooked.
- Alilala. He/She slept.
First Person Plural (We): tu-
- Tulicheza. We played.
- Tulipenda. We liked.
Second Person Plural (You All): m-
- Mliandika. You all wrote.
- Mlisikiliza. You all listened.
Third Person Plural (They): wa-
- Walijifunza. They learned.
- Walipumzika. They rested.

Examples with Different Verbs

To demonstrate the consistency of the past tense, here are some examples using various verbs and pronouns.

Verb: Kula (to eat)

Nilikula. I ate.
Ulikula. You ate.
Alikula. He/She ate.
Tulikula. We ate.
Mlikula. You all ate.
Walikula. They ate.

Verb: Kupenda (to love/like)

Nilipenda. I liked/loved.
Ulipenda. You liked/loved.
Alipenda. He/She liked/loved.
Tulipenda. We liked/loved.
Mlipenda. You all liked/loved.
Walipenda. They liked/loved.

Usage of the Past Tense

Completed Actions The past tense is primarily used to describe actions that have already been completed.
- Nilimaliza kazi yangu. I finished my work.
- Waliona filamu jana. They watched a movie yesterday.
Sequence of Events It is used to narrate past events in sequence.
- Tulikwenda sokoni, tukapata matunda, kisha tukarudi nyumbani. We went to the market, got fruits, and then returned home.
General Past States The past tense can describe past states or conditions.
- Hali ya hewa ilikuwa nzuri jana. The weather was nice yesterday.
- Shule yao ilikuwa mbali. Their school was far.

Negation in the Past Tense

To negate a verb in the past tense, the tense marker -li- is replaced with -ku-, and the negative form of the subject prefix is used.

Examples:

Mimi sikula. I did not eat.
Wewe hukimbia. You did not run.
Yeye hakupika. He/She did not cook.
Sisi hatukula. We did not eat.
Ninyi hamkula. You all did not eat.
Wao hawakula. They did not eat.

Future Tense in Swahili

The future tense in Swahili is used to describe actions or states that will happen. Like other tenses in Swahili, it is constructed by combining a subject prefix, a tense marker, and a verb root. The tense marker for the future tense is -ta-, which is placed between the subject prefix and the verb root.

Structure of the Future Tense

The general structure of a Swahili verb in the future tense is as follows:

Subject Prefix + -ta- + Verb Root

Each part has a specific role:

Subject Prefix: Indicates the person or subject performing the action.
-ta-: Marks the future tense.
Verb Root: The base form of the verb.

Conjugations for All Personal Pronouns

Below are the conjugations of the future tense with all personal pronouns in Swahili:

First Person Singular (I): ni-
- Nitatembea. I will walk.
- Nitakula. I will eat.
Second Person Singular (You): u-
- Utapika. You will cook.
- Utajifunza. You will learn.
Third Person Singular (He/She): a-
- Atasoma. He/She will read.
- Atakimbia. He/She will run.
First Person Plural (We): tu-
- Tutacheza. We will play.
- Tutapenda. We will like.
Second Person Plural (You All): m-
- Mtapenda. You all will like.
- Mtaandika. You all will write.
Third Person Plural (They): wa-
- Watakula. They will eat.
- Watapumzika. They will rest.

Examples with Different Verbs

To illustrate the consistency of the future tense, here are examples using various verbs across all pronouns.

Verb: Kula (to eat)

Nitakula. I will eat.
Utakula. You will eat.
Atakula. He/She will eat.
Tutakula. We will eat.
Mtakula. You all will eat.
Watakula. They will eat.

Verb: Kusoma (to read)

Nitasoma. I will read.
Utasoma. You will read.
Atasoma. He/She will read.
Tutasoma. We will read.
Mtasoma. You all will read.
Watasoma. They will read.

Usage of the Future Tense

Predicting Future Events The future tense is used to predict or describe actions that are expected to happen.
- Kesho nitasafiri kwenda Dar es Salaam. Tomorrow I will travel to Dar es Salaam.
- Watoto watarudi shuleni Jumatatu. The children will return to school on Monday.
Expressing Intentions It is also used to express plans or intentions.
- Tutapanga nyumba mpya wiki ijayo. We will arrange the new house next week.
- Nitajaribu kujifunza Kiswahili zaidi. I will try to learn more Swahili.
Making Promises or Commitments The future tense is common in promises or commitments.
- Nitakusaidia kesho. I will help you tomorrow.
- Tutakamilisha kazi leo jioni. We will finish the work this evening.

Negation in the Future Tense

To negate the future tense, the tense marker -ta- is replaced with -ta- but preceded by the negation particle si.

Examples:

Mimi sitatembea. I will not walk.
Wewe hutapika. You will not cook.
Yeye hatasoma. He/She will not read.
Sisi hatutakimbia. We will not run.
Ninyi hamtaimba. You all will not sing.
Wao hawataenda. They will not go.

Imperative in Swahili

The imperative tense in Swahili is used to give commands, make requests, or offer advice. It is a direct and straightforward way to communicate instructions or suggestions. Unlike other tenses, the imperative form focuses primarily on the second person (singular and plural) but can also include indirect commands for other pronouns using auxiliary verbs or polite constructions.

Structure of the Imperative Tense

The imperative in Swahili is formed using the verb root without a subject prefix or tense marker for the second person singular. For the second person plural, the suffix -ni is added to the verb root.

For indirect commands involving the first and third persons, auxiliary constructions are used with verbs like acha (let), naomba (please), or tu- prefixes for inclusivity.

Imperative for Second Person Singular (You)

The simplest form of the imperative is used for direct commands or instructions directed at one person. It consists of just the verb root.

Examples:

Soma! Read!
Pika! Cook!
Kimbia! Run!
Kaa hapa! Stay here!
Fungua mlango! Open the door!

Imperative for Second Person Plural (You All)

To address more than one person, add the suffix -ni to the verb root. This form ensures that the command applies to a group.

Examples:

Someni! Read [all of you]!
Pikeni! Cook [all of you]!
Kimbieni! Run [all of you]!
Kaeni hapa! Stay here [all of you]!
Fungueni mlango! Open the door [all of you]!

Polite Imperative

To soften commands or make requests polite, Swahili often uses the auxiliary verb tafadhali (please) before the verb. Alternatively, verbs like naomba (I request) can precede the imperative.

Examples:

Tafadhali soma! Please read!
Tafadhali fungua dirisha! Please open the window!
Naomba uje kesho. I request that you come tomorrow.

Imperative for First Person Plural (Let Us/Let’s)

Commands that include the speaker and others (first person plural) use the tu- prefix before the verb root. This is equivalent to "let us" or "let's" in English.

Examples:

Tupike! Let us cook!
Tusome! Let us read!
Tukae hapa! Let us stay here!
Tufungue mlango! Let us open the door!

Imperative for Third Person (Indirect Commands)

For giving commands about someone else (third person), constructions like acha (let), naomba (please), or waache (let them) are used.

Examples:

Acha asome. Let him/her read.
Waache wapumzike. Let them rest.
Naomba waende sasa. I request that they go now.

Negative Imperative (Prohibitions)

To give negative commands or prohibitions, use the prefix usi- for the second person singular and msi- for the second person plural, followed by the verb root.

Examples:

Second Person Singular (You):

Usisome! Do not read!
Usipike! Do not cook!
Usikimbie! Do not run!
Usikae hapa! Do not stay here!
Usifungue mlango! Do not open the door!

Second Person Plural (You All):

Msisome! Do not read [all of you]!
Msipike! Do not cook [all of you]!
Msikimbie! Do not run [all of you]!
Msikae hapa! Do not stay here [all of you]!
Msifungue mlango! Do not open the door [all of you]!

Commands with Object Markers

Swahili imperatives can include object markers to indicate the recipient of the action. These markers are inserted between the verb root and any suffix.

Examples:

Nisomee kitabu! Read me the book!
Mtumie barua! Send him/her the letter!
Tusomee habari! Read us the news!
Wafungulie mlango! Open the door for them!

Passive in Swahili

The passive voice in Swahili is used to indicate that the subject of the sentence is the recipient of an action rather than the doer. This form is common in both spoken and written Swahili, especially when the focus is on the action itself or the person or thing affected by it, rather than the agent performing the action. Passive constructions in Swahili are formed by modifying the verb and ensuring agreement with the subject in terms of noun class and personal pronouns.

Formation of the Passive Voice

To form the passive voice in Swahili, the suffix -wa is added to the verb root. If the verb ends with a consonant, a vowel may be inserted between the root and the -wa suffix for ease of pronunciation. The structure of a passive verb is as follows:

Subject Prefix + Verb Root + -wa

In passive constructions:

The doer (agent) is optional and is usually introduced by the preposition na (by).
The subject of the sentence becomes the receiver of the action.

Conjugations for All Personal Pronouns

Here is how the passive voice is conjugated for all personal pronouns in Swahili.

Verb: Kufanya (to do)

First Person Singular (I): Ninafanywa (I am being done)
- Ninafanywa kazi nyingi. I am being given a lot of work.
Second Person Singular (You): Unafanywa (You are being done)
- Unafanywa vipimo na daktari. You are being examined by the doctor.
Third Person Singular (He/She): Anafanywa (He/She is being done)
- Anafanywa mazoezi na mwalimu. He/She is being trained by the teacher.
First Person Plural (We): Tunafanywa (We are being done)
- Tunafanywa maswali mengi darasani. We are being asked many questions in class.
Second Person Plural (You All): Mnafanywa (You all are being done)
- Mnafanywa mahojiano na waandishi. You all are being interviewed by journalists.
Third Person Plural (They): Wanafanywa (They are being done)
- Wanafanywa tathmini na wataalamu. They are being evaluated by experts.

Tense Variations in the Passive Voice

The passive voice can be used in all tenses. Here is how it works:

Present Tense

The marker -na- indicates ongoing action.

Ninakubaliwa. I am being accepted.
Wanafundishwa na mwalimu. They are being taught by the teacher.

Past Tense

The marker -li- indicates completed actions.

Nilipokelewa. I was received.
Walisaidiwa na majirani. They were helped by neighbors.

Future Tense

The marker -ta- indicates future actions.

Nitapokelewa kesho. I will be received tomorrow.
Watatakiwa kufika mapema. They will be required to arrive early.

Negative Form

The negative form of the passive is created by negating the verb prefix.

Sisomwi. I am not being read.
Hafanyiwi kazi. He/She is not being worked on.
Hatapokelewa. We will not be received.

Using Passive with Different Noun Classes

The passive voice in Swahili aligns with the noun class system. The subject prefix in the verb matches the noun class of the subject in the sentence.

Examples:

Class 1/2 (People)
- Mtoto anapendwa na mama. The child is loved by the mother.
- Watoto wanasaidiwa na walimu. The children are helped by the teachers.
Class 3/4 (Trees/Objects)
- Mti unakatwa. The tree is being cut.
- Miti inakatwa. The trees are being cut.
Class 7/8 (Objects/Diminutives)
- Kitabu kinasomwa. The book is being read.
- Vitabu vinasomwa. The books are being read.

Passive with Agents

In Swahili, the agent (doer of the action) is introduced using the preposition na (by). However, the agent can be omitted when it is not important or obvious from context.

Examples:

Barua imeandikwa na mwanafunzi. The letter has been written by the student.
Sahani zimesafishwa na mama. The plates have been cleaned by the mother

Without the agent:

Barua imeandikwa. The letter has been written.
Sahani zimesafishwa. The plates have been cleaned.

Negation in Swahili

Negation in Swahili is an essential grammatical feature that allows speakers to express the opposite of an affirmative statement. Swahili uses specific markers and structures to convey negation, which vary depending on the verb tense, noun class, and type of sentence being negated.

Negation in the Present Tense

In the present tense, negation is formed by adding the prefix si- for the first-person singular and ha- for other subject pronouns before the verb root. The verb also drops its tense marker -na-.

Examples:

Sifanyi kazi. I am not working.
Hapendi chai. He/she does not like tea.
Hatujui jibu. We do not know the answer.

Negation in the Past Tense

In the past tense, negation is indicated by using the prefix ha- with the subject prefix and replacing the tense marker -li- with -ku-. The verb root remains unchanged.

Examples:

Sikuenda sokoni. I did not go to the market.
Hakupika chakula. He/she did not cook the food.
Hatucheza michezo jana. We did not play games yesterday.

Negation in the Future Tense

To negate the future tense, the negative marker -ta- replaces the affirmative future marker -ta-, and the verb is preceded by the prefix si- or ha- depending on the subject.

Examples:

Sitakula sasa. I will not eat now.
Hatakuja kesho. He/she will not come tomorrow.
Hatutasahau wewe. We will not forget you.

Negation in Commands (Imperative Mood)

In negative commands, Swahili uses the marker usi- for singular and msi- for plural, followed by the verb root.

Examples:

Usiondoke! Do not leave!
Msichelewe! Do not be late!
Usiseme uongo. Do not tell lies.

Negation in Conditional Sentences

In conditional sentences, negation is formed by using the negative markers along with appropriate conditional prefixes.

Examples:

Kama haufanyi kazi, hutapata mshahara. If you do not work, you will not get a salary.
Ikiwa hakuja leo, tutaendelea bila yeye. If he/she does not come today, we will continue without them.

Negation with Auxiliary Verbs

When auxiliary verbs are involved, the negation marker applies to the auxiliary verb, and the main verb remains in its root form.

Examples:

Siwezi kusema. I cannot speak.
Hataki kusikia habari. He/she does not want to hear the news.
Hatuwezi kusaidia sasa. We cannot help now.

Negation of "To Be" (Copula Sentences)

Swahili negates the copula ni (is/are) by replacing it with si. For other pronouns, ha- is used.

Examples:

Mimi si mwalimu. I am not a teacher.
Yeye si mwanafunzi. He/she is not a student.
Hawa si marafiki zetu. They are not our friends.

Negation with Possession

When negating possession, Swahili uses hana (he/she does not have), sina (I do not have), and similar forms based on the subject pronoun.

Examples:

Sina pesa. I do not have money.
Hana gari. He/she does not have a car.
Hatuwezi kuwa na nafasi. We do not have time.

Word Order in Swahili

Swahili is a Bantu language with a flexible but primarily Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) word order. Its agglutinative nature allows for the inclusion of extensive grammatical information within verbs, which often makes Swahili word order appear more fluid than in many other languages.

The Standard Word Order: Subject-Verb-Object (SVO)

The most common word order in Swahili is Subject-Verb-Object. The subject prefix is attached to the verb, which can make sentences appear shorter since the subject is often implied within the verb itself.

Examples:

Mwanafunzi anasoma kitabu. The student is reading a book.
Mama anapika chakula. The mother is cooking food.
Watoto wanacheza mpira. The children are playing football.

Implicit Subject in Verbs

In Swahili, the subject can often be omitted in sentences where the subject is already understood from context. The subject is still represented by the subject prefix within the verb.

Examples:

Anasoma. He/she is reading.
Wanapika. They are cooking.
Tunaenda sokoni. We are going to the market.

Modifiers in Word Order

Adjectives, numbers, and possessive pronouns follow the noun they modify, unlike in English where modifiers often precede nouns. This is consistent across all noun classes.

Examples:

Kitabu kizuri. A good book.
Nyumba kubwa. A big house.
Watoto wangu. My children.

Demonstratives also follow the noun, maintaining a logical and consistent structure.

Examples:

Mtu huyu. This person.
Nyumba ile. That house.

Word Order in Questions

Questions in Swahili maintain the same SVO structure as statements, with the interrogative word either at the beginning or the end of the sentence.

Examples:

Unakula nini? What are you eating?
Wapi unakwenda? Where are you going?
Nani alikuja? Who came?

For yes/no questions, the intonation changes, but the word order remains unchanged.

Examples:

Unasoma? Are you reading?
Wanakuja? Are they coming?

Word Order in Negative Sentences

In negative sentences, the negative prefix is added to the verb, but the overall word order (SVO) remains the same.

Examples:

Mwanafunzi hasomi kitabu. The student is not reading a book.
Mama hapiki chakula. The mother is not cooking food.
Watoto hawachezi mpira. The children are not playing football.

Word Order with Adverbs

Adverbs generally come after the verb or at the end of the sentence. This placement can emphasize the action being described.

Examples:

Anasoma polepole. He/she is reading slowly.
Watoto wanacheza sana. The children are playing a lot.
Tunapika sasa. We are cooking now.

Word Order in Compound Sentences

In compound sentences, Swahili follows the same SVO structure, linking clauses with conjunctions like na (and), lakini (but), or au (or).

Examples:

Mwanafunzi anasoma kitabu na mwalimu anafundisha. The student is reading a book, and the teacher is teaching.
Tulikwenda sokoni lakini hatukununua kitu. We went to the market, but we did not buy anything.
Unaweza kuja sasa au baadaye. You can come now or later.

Word Order in Relative Clauses

Relative clauses in Swahili follow the noun they modify. The relative marker is embedded within the verb of the relative clause.

Examples:

Mwanafunzi anayesoma kitabu ni mjanja. The student who is reading the book is clever.
Nyumba ambayo tuliona ilikuwa kubwa. The house that we saw was big.
Watoto wanaocheza mpira ni marafiki zetu. The children who are playing football are our friends.

Emphasis and Word Order Variations

Swahili allows for variations in word order for emphasis. For example, the object or adverbial phrase can be moved to the front of the sentence for emphasis, while the verb still carries the necessary grammatical information.

Examples:

Kitabu anakisoma mwanafunzi. The book, the student is reading.
Sokoni tunaenda sasa. To the market, we are going now.

This flexibility adds richness to Swahili expression while preserving clarity.

Questions in Swahili

Swahili questions are straightforward and flexible, allowing for a variety of question types ranging from yes/no questions to detailed information queries. Understanding how to form and use questions is vital for effective communication.

Yes/No Questions

Yes/no questions in Swahili maintain the same structure as affirmative statements. The difference lies in the intonation when spoken or the use of a question marker je at the beginning of the sentence for clarification.

Examples:

Unasoma? Are you reading?
Wanakuja? Are they coming?
Je, unakula chakula? Are you eating food?

The use of je is optional but can make the question clearer, especially in written Swahili.

Open-Ended Questions

Open-ended questions in Swahili use specific interrogative words. These question words typically appear at the beginning or end of the sentence, depending on the desired emphasis.

Common Interrogative Words:

Nini – What
Nani – Who
Wapi – Where
Lini – When
Kwa nini – Why
Vipi – How

Examples of Open-Ended Questions

Questions with Nini (What)

Nini is used to ask about objects, actions, or ideas. It can appear at the beginning or end of the sentence.

Examples:

Unafanya nini? What are you doing?
Nini kimepotea? What is missing?

Questions with Nani (Who)

Nani asks about people and usually comes after the verb in the sentence.

Examples:

Nani anapika? Who is cooking?
Umemwona nani? Whom did you see?

Questions with Wapi (Where)

Wapi asks about location and follows the verb in the sentence.

Examples:

Unaenda wapi? Where are you going?
Kitabu kiko wapi? Where is the book?

Questions with Lini (When)

Lini is used to ask about time and typically appears at the end of the sentence.

Examples:

Ulifika lini? When did you arrive?
Tutakutana lini? When will we meet?

Questions with Kwa nini (Why)

Kwa nini appears at the beginning of the sentence and is used to ask about reasons or causes.

Examples:

Kwa nini hufanyi kazi? Why are you not working?
Kwa nini umechelewa? Why are you late?

Questions with Vipi (How)

Vipi can either start or end the sentence depending on emphasis.

Examples:

Unajisikiaje? How are you feeling?
Safari yako ilikuwa vipi? How was your journey?

Tag Questions

Tag questions in Swahili are formed by adding siyo? (isn’t it? or right?) or si (right?) to the end of a statement. These are used to confirm information or seek agreement.

Examples:

Wewe ni mwanafunzi, siyo? You are a student, right?
Unafanya kazi hapa, si? You work here, don’t you?

Questions with Relative Clauses

When forming questions that include a relative clause, the question word and relative marker are both used.

Examples:

Ni nani anayesoma kitabu? Who is reading the book?
Kitu gani ambacho uliona? What did you see?

Negative Questions

Negative questions in Swahili use the same structure as negative statements but include an interrogative tone or markers like je for clarity.

Examples:

Haujui? Don’t you know?
Hawakufika jana? Didn’t they arrive yesterday?
Je, hukupenda chakula? Didn’t you like the food?

Questions with Multiple Interrogatives

Sometimes, a sentence may include more than one interrogative to ask a complex question. These are formed naturally in Swahili by combining appropriate question words.

Examples:

Nani alifanya nini? Who did what?
Unakwenda wapi na lini? Where are you going and when?

Polite or Indirect Questions

To ask questions politely, Swahili speakers often add expressions like tafadhali (please) or frame the question indirectly.

Examples:

Tafadhali, unaweza kunisaidia? Please, can you help me?
Je, unajua ni wapi tunapoweza kupata maji? Do you know where we can find water?

Relative Clauses in Swahili

Relative clauses are an essential aspect of Swahili grammar, allowing speakers to provide additional information about a noun without starting a new sentence. They function similarly to relative clauses in English, using "who," "that," or "which." However, Swahili has its unique system of marking relative clauses, which relies on relative markers and agreements with the noun class of the subject or object.

The Relative Marker

Swahili relative clauses use the marker -o, which combines with a prefix that reflects the noun class of the subject or object. The prefix is inserted into the verb after the subject marker.

Examples:

Mwanafunzi anayesoma. The student who is studying.
Nyumba ambayo imeanguka. The house that has fallen.

The relative marker agreements vary depending on the noun class. For example:

M- or Wa- nouns (people): -ye or -o
Ki- or Vi- nouns (objects): -cho or -vyo
N- nouns (general objects): -yo

Relative Clauses for Subjects

When the noun being described is the subject of the action, the relative marker agrees with the noun class and is embedded in the verb.

Examples:

Mwanafunzi anayefanya kazi ni mdadisi. The student who is working is curious.
Watu wanaokuja ni marafiki zetu. The people who are coming are our friends.
Kiti kinachovunjika ni hatari. The chair that is breaking is dangerous.

Relative Clauses for Objects

When the noun being described is the object of the action, the relative marker still agrees with the noun class of the object and appears in the verb. The object marker may also be included to clarify the relationship.

Examples:

Kitabu ambacho unakisoma ni kizuri. The book that you are reading is good.
Chakula ambacho alikipika kilikuwa tamu. The food that he/she cooked was delicious.
Watu ambao tunawaita ni wageni. The people whom we are calling are visitors.

Relative Clauses with Prepositions

When the relative clause includes a preposition (e.g., "with," "in," "on"), the preposition comes before the relative marker.

Examples:

Mtu ambaye ninasafiri naye ni rafiki yangu. The person with whom I am traveling is my friend.
Nyumba ambayo tunaishi ndani yake ni nzuri. The house in which we live is beautiful.
Kiti ambacho amekalia kimevunjika. The chair on which he/she is sitting is broken.

Relative Clauses for Possession

Swahili relative clauses can also express possession by using -enye, which means "having" or "possessing."

Examples:

Mtu mwenye gari ni tajiri. The person who has a car is wealthy.
Nyumba yenye bustani kubwa ni nzuri. The house that has a big garden is beautiful.
Kitabu chenye sura nyingi ni cha historia. The book that has many chapters is about history.

Negative Relative Clauses

To form negative relative clauses, the verb in the relative clause is negated using the appropriate negative marker. The relative marker remains unchanged.

Examples:

Mtu ambaye hafanyi kazi hatapata mshahara. The person who does not work will not get paid.
Kitabu ambacho sikukisoma kilikuwa cha hadithi. The book that I did not read was a novel.
Watu ambao hawaendi shuleni hawajui kusoma. The people who do not go to school do not know how to read.

Relative Clauses with Tenses

Relative clauses in Swahili follow the same tense system as main clauses, using markers such as -na- (present), -li- (past), and -ta- (future). The tense marker appears after the relative marker.

Examples:

Mwanafunzi anayesoma sasa ni hodari. The student who is studying now is diligent. (Present tense)
Mwalimu aliyefundisha jana ni mgeni. The teacher who taught yesterday is a guest. (Past tense)
Watu watakaokuja kesho ni muhimu. The people who will come tomorrow are important. (Future tense)

Combining Multiple Relative Clauses

Swahili allows for the combination of multiple relative clauses to provide detailed descriptions. Each clause retains its own relative marker and agrees with the respective noun.

Examples:

Mwanafunzi anayesoma na ambaye anacheza mpira ni mwerevu. The student who is reading and who is playing football is clever.
Nyumba ambayo tumejenga na ambayo ina bustani ni kubwa. The house that we have built and that has a garden is big.

EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Download our complete Swahili master course below to learn the language in 30 days and never be at a loss for words!

DOWNLOAD SAMPLE