Mlete baba kikapu ili aweke mboga zake.

Bring father the basket so that he can put his vegetables in it.

Breakdown of Mlete baba kikapu ili aweke mboga zake.

• baba: the father
• kuleta: to bring
• ili: so that
• mboga: the vegetable
• kuweka: to put
• kikapu: the basket
• zake: his

Questions & Answers about Mlete baba kikapu ili aweke mboga zake.

What does Mlete mean, and why is it used as the opening word in this sentence?

Mlete is the imperative form of the verb leta, meaning "bring." It functions as a command, instructing the listener to bring something—in this case, a basket for the father. The form is tailored to address the appropriate subject in a command, which is a common feature in Swahili directives.

What roles do baba and kikapu play in this sentence?

Baba translates to "father," indicating the recipient or beneficiary of the action. Kikapu means "basket," which is the object that needs to be brought. Together, they specify that the basket is intended for the father.

How does ili function in this sentence?

Ili serves as a purpose marker, equivalent to "so that" or "in order that" in English. It introduces the subordinate clause "aweke mboga zake," which explains the purpose behind bringing the basket. This construction clearly connects the act of bringing the basket to its intended outcome.

What is the significance of the form aweke in this context?

Aweke is derived from the verb weka (meaning "to put" or "to place"). Here, it is used in the subjunctive mood following ili to express an intended or desired action, rather than a statement of fact. This mood is typical in purpose clauses in Swahili and indicates that the father is expected to put his vegetables somewhere after receiving the basket.

What do mboga and zake mean, and how are they connected?

Mboga means "vegetables" (or "greens"), and zake is a possessive pronoun that translates to "his" (or "her" in some contexts). When used together in "mboga zake," they specify that the vegetables belong to the father. This pairing clarifies whose vegetables are to be handled, reinforcing the purpose of the command.

How does the overall structure of the sentence demonstrate a common way of forming commands with a purpose in Swahili?

The sentence is divided into two parts: the main command and the purpose clause. The main command, "Mlete baba kikapu," instructs the listener to bring the basket to the father, while the purpose clause, introduced by "ili" in "ili aweke mboga zake," explains the reason behind the command. This structure—command followed by a purpose clause using "ili" and a subjunctive verb—is a typical pattern in Swahili. It effectively links an action to its intended outcome, making the instruction clear and purposeful.