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Questions & Answers about Usipoteze mfuko wako sokoni, maana mimi nilipoteza mfuko jana na nilihisi uoga mkubwa.
What does the negative imperative Usipoteze mean and how is it formed?
Usipoteze translates to “do not lose.” In Swahili, to form a negative command for the second person singular, you add the prefix usi- to the verb root (in this case, poteza), which reverses the positive imperative into a prohibition.
How is the phrase mfuko wako constructed and what does it mean?
The word mfuko means “bag” and wako is the possessive form meaning “your.” In Swahili, possession is expressed by placing the appropriate possessive pronoun after the noun. Together, mfuko wako literally means “your bag.”
What role does the locative suffix play in the word sokoni?
The base noun soko means “market.” By adding the locative suffix -ni, it becomes sokoni, which indicates location, translating as “at the market.” This suffix is commonly used in Swahili to denote where an action takes place.
How are past actions expressed in the verbs nilipoteza and nilihisi?
Both nilipoteza (“I lost”) and nilihisi (“I felt”) use the prefix nili- to indicate the first person singular in the simple past tense. This prefix shows that the actions occurred in the past and clearly identifies the subject as “I.”
What is the function of maana in the sentence?
Maana functions as a conjunction meaning “because.” It connects the initial command with the subsequent explanation, providing the reason for the warning given in the first clause.
Why is the subject mimi explicitly mentioned in the second part of the sentence even though the verb forms indicate who is acting?
Although the verb forms already imply the first person singular through the nili- prefix, including the subject mimi (meaning “I”) adds clarity and emphasis. In Swahili, subject pronouns can be omitted when context is clear, but they are sometimes explicitly stated to stress personal experience or ensure unambiguous understanding.
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