Kabla ya safari, mimi nitaandaa mzigo wangu ili nisikose kitu muhimu.

Before the trip, I will prepare my luggage so that I do not miss anything important.

Breakdown of Kabla ya safari, mimi nitaandaa mzigo wangu ili nisikose kitu muhimu.

• mimi: I
• kuandaa: to prepare
• kabla ya: before
• ili: so that
• muhimu: important
• safari: the trip
• kitu: the thing
• mzigo: the luggage
• kukosa: to miss

Questions & Answers about Kabla ya safari, mimi nitaandaa mzigo wangu ili nisikose kitu muhimu.

What does "Kabla ya" mean in the sentence?

It means "before," indicating that the action happens prior to the trip.

How is the future tense formed in “mimi nitaandaa”?

Swahili forms the future tense by adding the marker "ta" to the subject prefix. Here, "ni" represents "I," and with "ta" attached to the verb "andaa" (prepare), it becomes "nitaandaa," which translates to "I will prepare."

Why is the subject "mimi" explicitly stated when the verb already shows who is doing the action?

Although the verb "nitaandaa" already indicates the subject through its prefix, including "mimi" (which means "I") provides extra emphasis or clarity. This can be particularly helpful for learners who are reinforcing the connection between pronouns and verb conjugations.

What does the noun "mzigo" mean, and what role does "wangu" play in the phrase "mzigo wangu"?

The noun "mzigo" typically means "luggage" or "baggage" in this context. The word "wangu" is a possessive adjective meaning "my." Together, "mzigo wangu" translates to "my luggage."

What is the function of “ili” in the sentence?

“Ili” is used to express purpose or intention. In this sentence, it means “so that” or “in order to,” linking the action of preparing the luggage with the aim of not missing anything important.

How is negation expressed in the phrase "ili nisikose kitu muhimu"?

In the subordinate clause, "nisikose" is a negative construction. The subject prefix "ni-" (I) combines with the negative marker "-si-" and the verb root "kose" to convey that "I won't miss" or "I don't lack." This ensures the purpose of the action is clearly stated.

Could you provide a breakdown of the sentence word by word?

Certainly. Here’s a word-by-word breakdown:

• Kabla ya: "before"
• safari: "trip" or "journey"
• mimi: "I"
• nitaandaa: "I will prepare" (with "ni" denoting "I" and "ta" marking the future)
• mzigo: "luggage"
• wangu: "my"
• ili: "so that" or "in order to"
• nisikose: "I don't miss" (in a negative form)
• kitu: "thing"
• muhimu: "important" When combined, the sentence means: "Before the trip, I will prepare my luggage so that I don't miss any important thing."