Mama anataka kununua jembe jipya kabla ya msimu wa kilimo, ili aweze kulima shamba vizuri.

Mother wants to buy a new hoe before the farming season, so that she can cultivate the farm well.

Breakdown of Mama anataka kununua jembe jipya kabla ya msimu wa kilimo, ili aweze kulima shamba vizuri.

• kutaka: to want
• mpya: new
• mama: the mother
• kununua: to buy
• wa: of
• kabla ya: before
• ili: so that
• kuweza: to be able
• shamba: the farm
• vizuri: well
• msimu: the season
• kilimo: the farming
• kulima: to cultivate

Questions & Answers about Mama anataka kununua jembe jipya kabla ya msimu wa kilimo, ili aweze kulima shamba vizuri.

What is the structure and meaning of the verb “anataka” in the sentence?

The verb “anataka” means “she wants.” It is composed of the subject prefix a- (indicating third person singular, referring to Mama) and the verb stem -taka (to want). This combination illustrates Swahili’s subject–verb agreement.

What does “jembe jipya” mean, and how does adjective agreement work in this phrase?

“Jembe jipya” translates as “new hoe.” Here, jembe means “hoe,” and jipya means “new.” In Swahili, adjectives must agree with the noun they modify in noun class; since jembe typically falls into a class that uses the prefix ji- for adjectives, the adjective appears as jipya.

How is the phrase “kabla ya msimu wa kilimo” structured, and what does it convey?

“Kabla ya msimu wa kilimo” means “before the farming season.” The phrase starts with kabla ya (“before”) followed by the noun phrase msimu wa kilimo, where msimu means “season” and kilimo means “farming.” This construction sets the time frame for when the action (buying the hoe) is planned.

How is purpose expressed in the clause “ili aweze kulima shamba vizuri”?

Purpose is expressed with the word ili, which means “so that” or “in order to.” This is followed by aweze, the subjunctive form of kuweza (“to be able”), and kulima, the infinitive meaning “to farm.” This clause explains that Mama wants to buy the hoe so that she can farm the field well.

What is the difference between “kilimo” and “kulima” as they appear in this sentence?

“Kilimo” is a noun meaning “farming” as seen in msimu wa kilimo (“farming season”), while “kulima” is the verb form meaning “to farm,” used in kulima shamba vizuri (“to farm the field well”). They share the same basic idea but function differently grammatically.

Why is the subjunctive mood used in “aweze,” and what does it indicate here?

The subjunctive mood in aweze is used after the purpose marker ili to indicate potential or intended ability. In this context, it shows that buying the new hoe is aimed at enabling Mama to farm her field effectively. This use of the subjunctive is typical in purpose clauses in Swahili.

How do the two clauses in the sentence work together to express Mama’s overall plan?

The sentence is divided into a main clause and a purpose clause. The main clause, "Mama anataka kununua jembe jipya kabla ya msimu wa kilimo," states Mama’s intention to purchase a new hoe before the farming season starts. The purpose clause, "ili aweze kulima shamba vizuri," explains the reason behind her action: to be able to farm the field well. Together, they provide a clear sequence of intent and motivation.