Tafadhali, usisahau kuongeza chumvi kidogo kwenye chakula chako.

Please, do not forget to add a little salt to your food.

Breakdown of Tafadhali, usisahau kuongeza chumvi kidogo kwenye chakula chako.

• kwenye: at
• chakula: the food
• chako: your
• kuongeza: to add
• tafadhali: please
• kusahau: to forget
• chumvi: the salt
• kidogo: little

Questions & Answers about Tafadhali, usisahau kuongeza chumvi kidogo kwenye chakula chako.

What does tafadhali mean in this sentence?

Tafadhali means please and is used to show politeness at the start of a request or command.

How is the negative imperative formed in the word usisahau?

Usisahau means do not forget. It is formed by adding the negative imperative prefix usi- to the verb root sahau (forget). This structure indicates that the listener should refrain from forgetting an action.

What role does kuongeza play in this sentence?

Kuongeza is the infinitive form of the verb meaning to add. In this command, it specifies the action that should not be forgotten—namely, to add salt.

Can you explain the meaning and structure of chumvi kidogo?

Chumvi means salt, and kidogo is an adjective meaning a little or small. Together, they express that only a small amount of salt should be added. Notice that in Swahili, adjectives like kidogo typically follow the noun they modify.

What does the phrase kwenye chakula chako signify, and how is possession indicated here?

Kwenye is a preposition meaning in or on, chakula means food, and chako is the possessive adjective meaning your. Thus, kwenye chakula chako translates to in your food. The use of chako shows possession and agrees with the noun chakula in Swahili’s concord system.