Maskini wanapenda kusafiri kwa basi.

The poor like to travel by bus.

Breakdown of Maskini wanapenda kusafiri kwa basi.

• kupenda: to like
• kwa: by
• kusafiri: to travel
• basi: the bus
• maskini: the poor

Questions & Answers about Maskini wanapenda kusafiri kwa basi.

What does maskini mean in this sentence?

Maskini translates to “poor” or “the poor” in English. In this context, it refers to people who are economically disadvantaged.

What does the prefix wana- in wanapenda indicate?

The prefix wana- shows that the subject is plural—it corresponds to “they” in English. It ensures agreement between the subject and the verb.

How is the present tense formed in the verb wanapenda?

The present tense is indicated by the infix -na- attached to the verb after the subject prefix. In wanapenda, wana- (they) plus -na- (present tense marker) plus penda (to like) means “they like” or “they love” in the present.

Why is kusafiri used in its infinitive form after wanapenda?

In Swahili, verbs that follow a verb expressing preference or desire (like “to like” or “to love”) are often kept in the infinitive form. Kusafiri means “to travel” and explains what the poor enjoy doing.

What does the phrase kwa basi mean, and what is its structure?

Kwa basi means “by bus.” The preposition kwa is used to indicate means or mode (similar to “by”), and basi is the Swahili term for “bus.”

How does the structure of this Swahili sentence compare to English sentence structure?

The sentence follows a familiar order: a subject (maskini), a conjugated verb form (wanapenda) that includes both subject and tense markers, an infinitive verb (kusafiri) serving as the object, and an adverbial phrase (kwa basi). This order is quite similar to the English Subject–Verb–Object pattern, making it easier for English speakers to understand once the vocabulary and some grammatical markers are learned.