Mama anapata starehe baada ya kufagia chumba.

the mother

Breakdown of Mama anapata starehe baada ya kufagia chumba.

• kufagia: to sweep
• chumba: the room
• kupata: to get
• baada ya: after
• starehe: the relaxation

Questions & Answers about Mama anapata starehe baada ya kufagia chumba.

What does the verb anapata mean, and why is it formed with the prefix a-?

Anapata is the present tense form of the verb kupata, which means “to get” or “to obtain.” The prefix a- marks the subject as third-person singular. Since “Mama” (mother) is the subject, anapata translates as “she gets” or “she obtains.”

What does the noun starehe mean in this sentence?

Starehe refers to comfort, pleasure, or relaxation. In this sentence, it indicates that Mama experiences a sense of ease or enjoyment after the action that follows.

What is the role of the phrase baada ya in the sentence?

Baada ya is a prepositional phrase meaning “after.” It sets up a temporal relationship between the two parts of the sentence, showing that the action of the latter part (entering the room) happens before Mama gets comfort.

Why is the verb following baada ya in its infinitive form as kufagia?

In Swahili, certain prepositions—like baada ya—require the verb that follows to be in its infinitive form (a verbal noun). This means that instead of being conjugated to reflect tense or subject, the verb remains in its basic form. That’s why kufagia appears as is and is understood as “to enter.”

What does kufagia chumba mean, and how is it constructed?

Kufagia chumba translates to “to enter the room.” Here, kufagia is the infinitive of the verb meaning “to enter” (as provided by the context) and chumba means “room.” Together, they form a phrase that describes the action leading to the state of comfort described earlier.

Can you outline the overall structure of the sentence compared to English?

Certainly. The sentence follows a Subject-Verb-Complement structure:
– Mama (subject)
– anapata (verb)
– starehe (complement, the thing that is obtained)
Following this main clause, the phrase baada ya kufagia chumba adds a time-related detail (“after entering the room”). Although English and Swahili both often follow an SVO order, Swahili distinguishes itself by using subject markers (like a-) and requiring the infinitive form after certain prepositions.

Is the word Mama used strictly to mean “mother,” or does it have other connotations in Swahili?

In Swahili, Mama typically means “mother” and can also be used respectfully to refer to an older woman. The context of the sentence generally makes it clear which sense is intended—here, it most naturally refers to one’s mother.