Learn Hardcore Swahili: Lete kijiko kile kidogo, ili niongeze sukari kwenye chai yangu. - Bring me that small spoon, so that I may add sugar to my tea.

Kijiko means “spoon.” The demonstrative kile (meaning “that”) agrees with the noun’s class (the ki- class), while kidogo is an adjective meaning “small.” Together, they describe “that small spoon.”

What is the purpose of the word ili in this sentence?

Ili introduces a purpose clause and translates as “so that” or “in order to.” It connects the action of bringing the spoon with its intended purpose—adding sugar to the tea.

How is niongeze constructed, and why is the ni- prefix significant?

Niongeze comes from the verb kuongeza (to add) and includes the object prefix ni-, which means “me.” This construction indicates that the purpose of the action is for the speaker to add sugar, essentially meaning “so that I may add.”

What role does kwenye play in kwenye chai yangu?

Kwenye is a preposition that means “in” or “onto.” In this sentence, it shows that the sugar is to be added in (or to) my tea.

How is possession expressed in the term chai yangu?

Yangu is a possessive adjective meaning “my.” In Swahili, possessive adjectives typically follow the noun, so chai yangu translates to “my tea.”

Why isn’t there an explicit subject pronoun for the speaker in niongeze?

Swahili verbs include subject prefixes that indicate who is performing the action. In niongeze, the ni- prefix signifies that the action is performed by “I.” This makes an extra pronoun (like mimi) unnecessary.