Msitu huu pia una ziwa dogo ndani yake, ambako ndege hutua kunywa maji.

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Breakdown of Msitu huu pia una ziwa dogo ndani yake, ambako ndege hutua kunywa maji.

• kunywa: to drink
• kuwa na: to have
• huu: this
• maji: the water
• ndani: inside
• dogo: small
• msitu: the forest
• ziwa: the lake
• yake: its
• ndege: the bird

Questions & Answers about Msitu huu pia una ziwa dogo ndani yake, ambako ndege hutua kunywa maji.

What does Msitu huu mean and why is huu used here?

Msitu means forest, and huu is a demonstrative adjective meaning this. Swahili requires demonstratives to agree with the noun’s class, so Msitu huu translates directly as "this forest."

What role does the word pia play in this sentence?

Pia means also or too. It signals that, in addition to other characteristics (perhaps already mentioned or implied), the forest has an extra feature—a small lake.

How does the phrase ziwa dogo work, and what information does it give?

Ziwa means lake and dogo means small. In Swahili, adjectives typically follow the noun they modify. Thus, ziwa dogo directly translates as "small lake," describing the lake’s size.

What does the expression ndani yake mean, and which noun does it refer to?

Ndani translates as inside, and yake is a possessive pronoun meaning its. Together, ndani yake means "inside it" and refers back to the forest, indicating that the lake is located within the forest.

What function does the word ambako serve in the sentence?

Ambako acts as a relative pronoun meaning "where". It introduces a subordinate clause that provides additional context—specifically, it explains that the lake is the place where birds come to drink water.

How is the verb una used in the sentence, and what does it indicate?

Una is the present tense form of the verb "kuwa na" (to have). In the sentence, it shows that the forest currently has a small lake, emphasizing possession in the present.

Can you explain the clause ndege hutua kunywa maji and the meanings of its key components?

Certainly. Ndege means birds. Hutua is a present habitual form of the verb tua, meaning roughly "come" or "descend", indicating that this is something birds regularly do. Kunywa maji translates as "to drink water." Together, the clause tells us that birds come (or land) to drink water—a habitual action occurring at the lake.