Kabla ya kula, ni vyema tuoshe mikono yetu kwa sabuni.

Before eating, it is good that we wash our hands with soap.

Breakdown of Kabla ya kula, ni vyema tuoshe mikono yetu kwa sabuni.

• ni: to be
• kula: to eat
• kabla ya: before
• kwa: with
• yetu: our
• mkono: the hand
• vyema: good
• kuosha: to wash
• sabuni: the soap

Questions & Answers about Kabla ya kula, ni vyema tuoshe mikono yetu kwa sabuni.

What does kabla ya mean and how is it used in this sentence?

Kabla ya means “before.” It is used as a preposition to indicate that one action (in this case, eating) happens after another (washing hands). The phrase tells you that washing hands should occur before the act of eating.

How should we understand the form kula in this sentence?

Kula is the infinitive form of the verb “to eat.” In Swahili, after the preposition ya (linked to kabla), it is common to use the infinitive form to express the action that follows. Thus, here it indicates that eating is the activity that comes after washing hands.

What does tuoshe mean, and why is it used instead of a simple command form?

Tuoshe means “let’s wash” (specifically, “let us wash”) and is the first-person plural imperative form. It is used here to include both the speaker and listener(s) in the action, emphasizing that everyone should wash their hands before eating.

What is the function of ni vyema in the sentence?

Ni vyema translates as “it is good” or “it is advisable.” This phrase expresses that washing the hands with soap before eating is not only recommended but is considered the proper or good practice to follow.

Can you explain the structure mikono yetu and why the pronoun comes after the noun?

Mikono yetu means “our hands.” In Swahili, possessive adjectives like yetu (our) are placed after the noun they modify. Here, mikono means hands, and yetu specifies that they are “our” hands.

What does kwa sabuni indicate in this context?

Kwa sabuni means “with soap.” The preposition kwa is used to show the instrument or means by which an action is carried out. In this instance, it indicates that soap should be used when washing the hands.