Sisi tutajaribu kupika chakula leo usiku, kabla ya mvua kuanza kunyesha.

we

Breakdown of Sisi tutajaribu kupika chakula leo usiku, kabla ya mvua kuanza kunyesha.

• kupika: to cook
• kujaribu: to try
• chakula: the food
• mvua: the rain
• kunyesha: to rain
• leo usiku: tonight
• kabla ya: before
• kuanza: to start

Questions & Answers about Sisi tutajaribu kupika chakula leo usiku, kabla ya mvua kuanza kunyesha.

Why does the sentence start with Sisi even though Swahili verbs already have subject markers?

In Swahili, the subject marker within the verb (like tu in tutajaribu) normally indicates the subject. However, speakers can still use sisi (meaning we) to emphasize or clarify who is performing the action. It can highlight the subject when you want to be explicit or contrasting.

How do I recognize that tutajaribu is in the future tense?

The marker ta inside the verb shows the future tense. The verb jaribu (to try) becomes tutajaribu (we will try), where tu is the subject marker for “we” and ta is the future tense marker.

What is the function of kabla ya in this sentence?

Kabla ya means before. It is used to introduce an event or action that happens prior to the main action. In this sentence, it indicates that cooking will take place before the rain starts.

Why does mvua need the verb kunyesha to talk about rain starting?

In Swahili, the concept of rain “falling” or “raining” is typically expressed with kunyesha (to rain). Simply saying mvua kuanza (rain to begin) would be understood, but it’s more natural to say mvua kuanza kunyesha (for the rain to begin raining/falling).

What does chakula refer to in general?

Chakula generally means food in Swahili. It can refer to any type of meal, dish, or sustenance unless specified otherwise by context or an additional descriptor.