Kitambaa hicho kinasafishwa kwa uangalifu, na kitufe kinaonekana maridadi.

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Breakdown of Kitambaa hicho kinasafishwa kwa uangalifu, na kitufe kinaonekana maridadi.

• kusafisha: to clean
• hicho: that
• kitambaa: the fabric
• kitufe: the button
• kwa uangalifu: carefully
• kuonekana: to appear
• maridadi: elegant

Questions & Answers about Kitambaa hicho kinasafishwa kwa uangalifu, na kitufe kinaonekana maridadi.

What does “kitambaa hicho” mean, and how are the noun and demonstrative structured in this phrase?

“Kitambaa” means cloth (or sometimes “towel” depending on context). The word “hicho” is a demonstrative pronoun meaning that. Together they specify a particular cloth. In Swahili, demonstrative pronouns must agree in noun class and number with the noun—in this case, both “kitambaa” and “hicho” belong to the ki/vi class.

How is the passive voice constructed in the verbs “kinasafishwa” and “kinaonekana”?

Both verbs are in the passive form. They begin with the subject concord kina-, which agrees with the noun’s class (for both “kitambaa” and “kitufe”). “Kinasafishwa” comes from the verb “kusafisha” (to wash) and means is washed, while “kinaonekana” derives from “kuonekana” (to appear) and means appears (or is seen). This structure indicates that the subject is receiving the action rather than doing it.

What does the phrase “kwa uangalifu” indicate, and how is it formed?

“Kwa uangalifu” translates to with care or carefully. The preposition “kwa” is used to express manner, and it is followed by the noun “uangalifu” (meaning care or caution). Thus, the phrase functions like an adverbial modifier to describe how the cloth is washed.

What is the role of the word “na” in the sentence?

“Na” is a coordinating conjunction that means and in Swahili. It links the two independent clauses—one describing how the cloth is washed and the other describing the appearance of the button.

Why might a learner wonder about the demonstrative “hicho” used with “kitambaa”?

Learners might expect that nouns in the ki/vi class normally take the demonstrative “hiki” (as in “kitabu hiki” for “this book”). However, in this sentence “kitambaa” is paired with “hicho”. This can lead to questions about demonstrative agreement. In some cases, due to phonological preferences or dialectal variations, a noun ending in -aa like “kitambaa” may naturally combine with “hicho” to create a smoother, more harmonious flow. Understanding these subtleties comes with experience and exposure to different Swahili dialects and styles.

What does the adjective “maridadi” mean in this context, and where does it appear in the sentence?

“Maridadi” means elegant, stylish, or fancy. In the sentence, it describes the appearance of the button (“kitufe”). The adjective follows the verb “kinaonekana” to convey that the button looks elegant.

How do subject concords work in this sentence?

Subject concords are prefixes attached to verbs that agree with the noun’s class. Both “kinasafishwa” (referring to “kitambaa”) and “kinaonekana” (referring to “kitufe”) start with the concord “kina-”, which is appropriate for nouns in the ki/vi class. This agreement is essential for clarity and grammatical cohesion in Swahili.