Chura wale wanaweza kuwa rafiki wa bustani, kwa sababu wanakula wadudu wabaya.

the friend

Breakdown of Chura wale wanaweza kuwa rafiki wa bustani, kwa sababu wanakula wadudu wabaya.

• kula: to eat
• kuwa: to be
• wa: of
• kuweza: to be able
• wale: those
• kwa sababu: because
• bustani: the garden
• chura: the frog

Questions & Answers about Chura wale wanaweza kuwa rafiki wa bustani, kwa sababu wanakula wadudu wabaya.

What does the demonstrative wale signify in this sentence?

Wale means “those” and is used to single out specific frogs being discussed. It helps the speaker emphasize that it’s not just any frogs, but a particular group of them.

How is the word wanaweza formed and what does it mean?

Wanaweza translates as “can” or “are able to”. It is built from the base verb weza (to be able) with the subject marker wa-, which agrees with the plural subject. This construction shows that the frogs have the potential or ability to be something.

Why is the infinitive kuwa used immediately after wanaweza?

In Swahili, after a modal verb like wanaweza, the main verb is expressed in its infinitive form. Kuwa means “to be,” so wanaweza kuwa translates to “they can be.” This pattern is a standard feature of Swahili grammar.

How is the possessive relationship demonstrated in rafiki wa bustani?

The phrase rafiki wa bustani means “friend of the garden.” The linking element wa is a genitive marker that connects the noun rafiki (friend) with bustani (garden). Its form is determined by the noun class of the possessed noun, indicating a relationship of association or belonging.

What role does kwa sababu play in this sentence?

Kwa sababu means “because.” It serves as a conjunction that introduces a reason or explanation for the statement made in the first part of the sentence.

How does adjective agreement work in the phrase wadudu wabaya?

In Swahili, adjectives must agree with the nouns they modify in terms of noun class. Here, wadudu (insects) carries the prefix wa-, so the adjective baya also takes the appropriate class marker, becoming wabaya. This agreement ensures consistency and clarity in the description of the insects as “bad.”

What tense is used in wanakula, and what does it indicate about the action?

Wanakula is in the simple present tense and means “they eat.” It describes a habitual or general action of the frogs, reinforcing the cause presented later in the sentence for why they might be suitable as “friends” of the garden.