Sipendi kulala katikati ya mchana.

I

Breakdown of Sipendi kulala katikati ya mchana.

• kupenda: to like
• mchana: the afternoon
• kulala: to sleep
• katikati: the middle
• ya: of
• kati: in

Questions & Answers about Sipendi kulala katikati ya mchana.

What does Sipendi literally mean, and how is it formed in Swahili grammar?

Sipendi is made up of the negative prefix si-, the subject marker for the first person singular (implied within si-), and the verb -pend- (meaning to like or to love). Together, they form the present-tense negative construction I do not like.

Why do we use kulala after Sipendi instead of a different form of the verb for sleep?

In Swahili, the infinitive form of a verb uses the prefix ku-. Since the sentence is expressing liking or not liking an action in general, we use the infinitive kulala (to sleep) instead of a finite verb form.

What does katikati ya mchana literally mean, and can it be used in different contexts?

Katikati ya mchana literally translates to in the middle of the afternoon (or daytime). Katikati means in the middle, ya is a connector meaning of, and mchana means afternoon or daytime. You can use katikati with other time-related words, such as katikati ya usiku (in the middle of the night), to indicate the midpoint of that time period.

Is there a difference between saying Sipendi kulala katikati ya mchana and Sipendi kulala mchana?

Yes. Sipendi kulala katikati ya mchana is more specific, emphasizing the exact middle of the day. Sipendi kulala mchana is more general and can refer to any time during the daytime, not necessarily the midpoint.

How would I say I don't like sleeping at night?

Simply replace katikati ya mchana with usiku. The sentence becomes Sipendi kulala usiku.