Baba amekataa kuzima taa sebuleni, kwa sababu anaendelea kusoma.

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Breakdown of Baba amekataa kuzima taa sebuleni, kwa sababu anaendelea kusoma.

• kusoma: to read
• baba: the father
• sebule: the living room
• kwa sababu: because
• taa: the light
• kukataa: to refuse
• kuzima: to turn off
• kuendelea: to continue

Questions & Answers about Baba amekataa kuzima taa sebuleni, kwa sababu anaendelea kusoma.

What does the verb form amekataa mean, and why is it conjugated this way?

Amekataa translates as "has refused". It is formed by combining the auxiliary ame- with the verb kataa ("to refuse"). This present perfect construction shows that the action of refusing (to turn off the light) was completed in the recent past and is relevant to the current situation.

Why is the infinitive kuzima used after amekataa?

In Swahili, verbs expressing actions like refusing, wanting, or planning are typically followed by another verb in its infinitive form. Here, kuzima means "to turn off", so the structure amekataa kuzima... directly links the act of refusal with the specific action that was rejected.

What does taa represent in this sentence?

Taa means "light" or "lamp" in Swahili. It is the object of the action—referring to the light that was not turned off—making it a straightforward vocabulary item for learners.

How does the locative suffix work in sebuleni and what does it indicate?

The suffix -ni in sebuleni is a locative marker, meaning "in" or "at". When attached to a noun (here, the base noun sebule), it indicates the location where the action is expected to occur. In this sentence, it tells us where the light is located.

What role does the phrase kwa sababu play in the sentence?

Kwa sababu translates as "because" in English. It introduces the reason behind the preceding action. In this sentence, it connects Father's refusal to turn off the light with the explanation that he is continuing his study.

How is the ongoing action expressed in anaendelea kusoma?

In anaendelea kusoma, the verb anaendelea means "is continuing"; it is paired with the infinitive kusoma (meaning "to study") to show that the action of studying is still in progress. This is a common pattern in Swahili to communicate continuous or ongoing actions.