Breakdown of Je, unataka kupiga picha pamoja na mama kabla ya kuondoka?
kutaka
to want
je
do
na
with
mama
the mother
kabla ya
before
pamoja
together
kuondoka
to leave
picha
the photo
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Questions & Answers about Je, unataka kupiga picha pamoja na mama kabla ya kuondoka?
What is the role of Je at the beginning of the sentence?
Je is a question marker used to indicate that the sentence is a yes/no question. It doesn’t have a direct translation in English but signals that the speaker is asking a question.
How is unataka constructed and what does it mean?
Unataka means “you want.” It is formed by the subject prefix u- (referring to “you”) attached to the verb stem taka (“want”). In Swahili, subject prefixes are combined with the verb root to express who is performing the action.
How should the phrase kupiga picha be understood, especially given that kupiga can also mean “to hit”?
Although kupiga can mean “to hit” in other contexts, when combined with picha (meaning “picture” or “photo”), the phrase kupiga picha idiomatically means “to take a picture.” This shows how context can change the meaning of a verb in Swahili.
Why do both kupiga and kuondoka start with the prefix ku-?
The prefix ku- is used in Swahili to form the infinitive of verbs. In this sentence, kupiga means “to take (a picture)” and kuondoka means “to leave.” Using ku- standardizes the verb into its basic, unconjugated form.
What does pamoja na mama mean, and how do its components work together?
Pamoja means “together,” and na means “with,” while mama means “mother” or “mom.” Combined, pamoja na mama translates as “together with mom,” indicating that the picture is intended to be taken with mom.
How is the phrase kabla ya kuondoka structured and what does it express?
Kabla ya kuondoka translates to “before leaving.” Here, kabla means “before,” ya serves as a linking word connecting “before” to the following verb, and kuondoka is the infinitive form of “to leave.” Thus, the phrase indicates that the action (taking the picture) should occur prior to leaving.