Miguu yangu ina maumivu kidogo, lakini bado ninaweza kupumua vizuri ninaposhikilia reli ya basi.

My legs have a bit of pain, but I can still breathe well when I hold onto the bus railing.

Breakdown of Miguu yangu ina maumivu kidogo, lakini bado ninaweza kupumua vizuri ninaposhikilia reli ya basi.

• kuwa na: to have
• yangu: my
• lakini: but
• ya: of
• kuweza: to be able
• bado: still
• vizuri: well
• basi: the bus
• mguu: the leg
• kidogo: a little
• kupumua: to breathe
• kushikilia: to hold onto

Questions & Answers about Miguu yangu ina maumivu kidogo, lakini bado ninaweza kupumua vizuri ninaposhikilia reli ya basi.

Why is the verb form “ina” used with the plural noun “miguu yangu” instead of a form like “zina”?

In Swahili, “miguu” (meaning “legs”) belongs to a noun class (class 6) where the subject marker for the present tense is “ina.” This is similar to how you say “miti ina majani” (“trees have leaves”). Even though “miguu” is plural, the agreement marker “ina” is correctly used for that class.

What does the phrase “maumivu kidogo” mean, and how does the adjective “kidogo” function in it?

“Maumivu” translates as “pain” (often used in a general or uncountable sense), and “kidogo” means “a little” or “slight.” In this phrase, “kidogo” modifies “maumivu” to indicate that the pain is minor. In Swahili, adjectives typically follow the noun they describe.

How is the ability expressed in the segment “ninaweza kupumua vizuri”?

The phrase breaks down as follows: “ninaweza” means “I can” or “I am able to” (with “ni-” indicating “I” and “-naweza” being the present form of “to be able”), “kupumua” is the infinitive form of “to breathe,” and “vizuri” is an adverb meaning “well.” Thus, the segment means “I can breathe well.”

What is the structure and meaning of “ninaposhikilia reli ya basi” in the sentence?

“Ninaposhikilia” comes from the verb “shikilia” (to hold on to) combined with the present tense prefix “ni-na-” and the relative marker “-po-,” which indicates “when” or “while.” “Reli ya basi” means “rail of the bus” (with “ya” linking “reli” to “basi”). Together, it means “when I hold on to the bus rail,” providing a time or condition under which the previous statement applies.

What roles do the words “lakini” and “bado” play in the sentence?

“Lakini” means “but” and is used to introduce a contrasting idea, while “bado” means “still.” Together, they signal that despite having a little pain in the legs, the speaker is nonetheless able to breathe well. They create a contrast between the minor discomfort and the maintained ability.

How does understanding Swahili noun classes help in analyzing this sentence?

Swahili nouns are grouped into classes that determine the agreement of verbs and adjectives. Knowing that “miguu” belongs to class 6 explains why the present-tense verb appears as “ina” instead of a more explicitly plural form. This understanding aids learners in correctly matching verbs and adjectives to their corresponding noun classes, which is essential for accurate and natural sentence construction.

What are some key vocabulary words in this sentence that are useful for learners to remember?

Important terms include: • Miguu – legs
• Yangu – my
• Maumivu – pain
• Kidogo – a little
• Lakini – but
• Bado – still
• Ninaweza – I can/am able
• Kupumua – to breathe
• Vizuri – well
• Shikilia (as seen in “ninaposhikilia”) – hold on to
• Reli – rail
• Basi – bus

Learning these words and their usage can help build a solid foundation in both vocabulary and sentence structure in Swahili.