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Mtoto mdogo anacheza mpira.

Mtoto mdogo anacheza mpira.
The small child is playing ball.
FromLesson 9inHardcore Swahili
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Breakdown of Mtoto mdogo anacheza mpira.

kucheza
to play
mtoto
the child
mpira
the ball
mdogo
small
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Questions & Answers about Mtoto mdogo anacheza mpira.

What is the English translation of Mtoto mdogo anacheza mpira?
The sentence translates as The small child is playing with a ball. Even though Swahili does not use articles like the or a, the overall meaning is clear from context.
What does the word mtoto mean in this sentence?
Mtoto means child and serves as the subject of the sentence.
How does the adjective mdogo function here?
Mdogo means small. In Swahili, adjectives usually follow the noun they modify, so mdogo comes after mtoto to describe it as a small child. Additionally, the adjective agrees with the noun’s class.
How is the verb anacheza constructed and what does it imply?
The verb anacheza comes from the root cheza (to play) with the subject prefix a- indicating third person singular. This structure shows that the child is engaged in playing—thus, anacheza means is playing (or simply plays) in the present tense.
What is the role of mpira in the sentence?
Mpira means ball and acts as the object of the verb anacheza, indicating what the child is playing with.
How does the sentence demonstrate tense and subject agreement in Swahili?
Swahili verbs integrate both tense and subject agreement into a single word. The prefix a- in anacheza marks the subject as third person singular. The present tense—used for both habitual and ongoing actions—is reflected in the simple form of the verb, with context clarifying the specific meaning.