Ikiwa unataka kupika usiku, ni lazima uwashe jiko kwanza.

to be

Breakdown of Ikiwa unataka kupika usiku, ni lazima uwashe jiko kwanza.

• kutaka: to want
• kupika: to cook
• usiku: the night
• ikiwa: if
• kwanza: first
• kuwasha: to turn on
• lazima: must
• jiko: the stove

Questions & Answers about Ikiwa unataka kupika usiku, ni lazima uwashe jiko kwanza.

What does Ikiwa mean, and how does it function in the sentence?

Ikiwa means "if" in English. It introduces the conditional clause, setting the condition that if you want to cook at night, then you must perform a specific action.

Why is the verb kuwasha rendered as uwashe in this sentence?

When expressing necessity with ni lazima (meaning "must" or "it is necessary"), Swahili uses the subjunctive form of the following verb. Uwash e is the subjunctive form of kuwasha, indicating that the action of lighting the stove is required.

What does ni lazima indicate in the context of the sentence?

Ni lazima translates to "it is necessary" or "must." It signals that there is an obligation—the stove must be lit before you proceed to cook at night.

What is the meaning of jiko in this sentence?

Jiko refers to the stove. In this context, it is the appliance that needs to be turned on before cooking, making it a critical step in the process.

What role does kwanza play at the end of the sentence?

Kwanza means "first" or "initially." It indicates the order of operations, showing that turning on the stove is the first action you must take before any other steps in cooking at night.