Ninataka kuongeza mboga zaidi kwenye supu hii ili iwe na ladha bora.

I want to add more vegetables to this soup so that it has a better taste.

Breakdown of Ninataka kuongeza mboga zaidi kwenye supu hii ili iwe na ladha bora.

• kutaka: to want
• kuwa: to be
• kwenye: at
• na: with
• ili: so that
• kuongeza: to add
• hii: this
• mboga: the vegetable
• zaidi: more
• supu: the soup
• ladha: the taste
• bora: better

Questions & Answers about Ninataka kuongeza mboga zaidi kwenye supu hii ili iwe na ladha bora.

What does ninataka mean, and how is it constructed in this sentence?

Ninataka translates to “I want”. It is formed by combining the subject prefix ni- (meaning “I”), the present tense marker -na-, and the verb taka (meaning “want”). This structure is typical in Swahili for expressing current desires.

Why is the infinitive kuongeza used immediately after ninataka?

In Swahili, verbs expressing desires or intentions (like “to want”) are followed by an infinitive form to indicate the action desired. The form kuongeza is the infinitive of ongeza (meaning “add”), created by adding the prefix ku-. Thus, it means “to add”.

What does the phrase mboga zaidi mean?

The word mboga means “vegetables” (or sometimes “greens”), and zaidi means “more”. Together, mboga zaidi means “more vegetables”, indicating an increase or extra amount of vegetables.

How does kwenye supu hii function in the sentence?

The phrase kwenye supu hii serves as a locative or prepositional phrase. Kwenye means “in” or “inside”, supu translates as “soup”, and hii is the demonstrative adjective for “this” (agreeing with the noun’s class). Combined, it means “in this soup”, specifying where the vegetables are being added.

Why is the demonstrative hii used with supu instead of, for example, hiki?

Swahili demonstratives must agree with the noun’s class. Although supu is a borrowed word, it is assigned a specific noun class that takes the demonstrative hii in its singular form. This agreement shows that the choice of hii follows the grammatical rules of noun classification in Swahili.

What role does the expression ili iwe na ladha bora play in the sentence?

The expression ili iwe na ladha bora is a purpose clause explaining why extra vegetables are added. Ili means “so that” or “in order that”, introducing a result or purpose. Iwe is the subjunctive form of kuwa (meaning “to be”), used to express an intended outcome, and na ladha bora means “with good flavor”. Together, it conveys that the addition of more vegetables is meant to improve the soup’s flavor.

Why is the subjunctive form iwe used after ili instead of a different form of kuwa?

In purpose clauses introduced by ili, Swahili grammar requires the use of the subjunctive mood to express intention or a desired outcome. Iwe is the subjunctive of kuwa (“to be”), correctly reflecting the idea of “so that it may have” a good flavor. This mood change is a standard grammatical rule in such constructions.