Kaka yangu aliniuliza ikiwa ninaweza kumkopesha kitabu, kwa sababu amekikosa katika maktaba.

My brother asked me if I can lend him a book, because he has missed it in the library.

Breakdown of Kaka yangu aliniuliza ikiwa ninaweza kumkopesha kitabu, kwa sababu amekikosa katika maktaba.

• kitabu: the book
• katika: in
• yangu: my
• kaka: the brother

Questions & Answers about Kaka yangu aliniuliza ikiwa ninaweza kumkopesha kitabu, kwa sababu amekikosa katika maktaba.

What does Kaka yangu mean in this sentence?

It means "my brother." The word kaka translates directly to brother, and yangu is the possessive form meaning my.

How is aliniuliza constructed and what does it convey?

Aliniuliza is a compound verb form. It breaks down as follows:
• a- is the subject prefix for he.
• -li- is the past tense marker.
• -ni- is the object marker for me.
• uliza is the verb root meaning ask.
Altogether, it means "he asked me."

What role does ikiwa play in this sentence?

Ikiwa functions as a conjunction meaning if or whether. It introduces the indirect yes–no question—if I can lend him a book.

How is ninaweza formed and what does it mean?