Mama alihifadhi sukari ndani ya kabati hili, hivyo nitafungua mlango wake sasa.

Mother stored sugar inside this cupboard, so I will open its door now.

Breakdown of Mama alihifadhi sukari ndani ya kabati hili, hivyo nitafungua mlango wake sasa.

• sasa: now
• mama: the mother
• hili: this
• mlango: the door
• hivyo: so
• kufungua: to open
• kabati: the cupboard
• sukari: the sugar
• kuhifadhi: to store
• ndani ya: inside

Questions & Answers about Mama alihifadhi sukari ndani ya kabati hili, hivyo nitafungua mlango wake sasa.

What is the structure and meaning of the verb form “alihifadhi” in this sentence?

“Alihifadhi” is the past tense form of the verb “hifadhi” (to store/keep). It is constructed by adding the subject prefix “ali-” (indicating third person singular, as in “Mama”) to the root “hifadhi.” Together, it means “she stored.”

How is the future tense formed in “nitafungua” and what does each part signify?

“Nitafungua” is formed with the subject prefix “ni-” (meaning “I”), followed by the future marker “ta-,” and then the verb stem “fungua” (to open). This structure indicates that the speaker will open something in the future, i.e., “I will open.”

What does the phrase “ndani ya kabati hili” mean, and how is it constructed?

The phrase “ndani ya kabati hili” translates as “inside this cabinet.” “Ndani” means “inside,” “ya” is the linking preposition (or genitive marker) that connects the location to the noun, and “hili” is a demonstrative adjective meaning “this” that agrees with “kabati” in its noun class. Together they indicate the location where the sugar was stored.

Why is the conjunction “hivyo” used, and what role does it play in the sentence?

“Hivyo” functions as a conjunction meaning “therefore” or “so.” It connects the two independent clauses by showing that the second action (opening the door) follows as a consequence of the first action (Mama storing the sugar). It helps link cause and effect within the sentence.

In “mlango wake,” how does the possessive pronoun “wake” function, and what does it refer to?

The possessive pronoun “wake” is used to indicate ownership and agrees with the possessed noun “mlango” (door). Although it appears immediately after “mlango,” contextually it refers to the cabinet’s door. In Swahili, possessive pronouns must agree with the noun’s class and are attached to the noun to show whose item is being discussed.

What is the role and typical placement of “sasa” in the sentence?

“Sasa” means “now,” and it is used as an adverb to indicate that the action is happening immediately. Placing “sasa” at the end of the clause “nitafungua mlango wake sasa” emphasizes that the door will be opened at this very moment, reflecting common Swahili word order for adverbs of time.