Je, unataka kujaribu kufanya kazi hii, au unataka kupumzika?

Do you want to try to do this job, or do you want to rest?

Breakdown of Je, unataka kujaribu kufanya kazi hii, au unataka kupumzika?

• wewe: you
• kutaka: to want
• je: do
• kufanya: to do
• au: or
• kujaribu: to try
• kazi: the job
• kupumzika: to rest

Questions & Answers about Je, unataka kujaribu kufanya kazi hii, au unataka kupumzika?

What does Je signify at the beginning of the sentence?

In Swahili, Je is often used at the start of a yes/no question. It's a way of signaling that you are asking a question, although it's not always strictly necessary. Some speakers might omit it and rely on context or intonation to show they are asking a question.

How is unataka formed and what does it mean?

Unataka comes from the verb kutaka (to want). In the present tense, you have the subject prefix u- (you) + the tense marker -na- (present) + the verb root -taka (want). So unataka means you want.

Why do we have kujaribu followed by another verb (kufanya)?

In Swahili, you often say kujaribu kufanya to mean to try to do something. Kujaribu (to try) can be followed directly by another infinitive—kufanya (to do)—to create the phrase to try to do.

What does au mean in this sentence?

Au is the Swahili word for or. It’s used here to offer a choice between two actions—trying to work on the task or taking a rest.

Is there a difference between kupumzika and kupumua?

Yes. Kupumzika generally means to rest or to relax. Kupumua, on the other hand, means to breathe. They look similar but carry different meanings in common usage.