Vifaa hivi vimeharibika, hivyo tunapaswa kugeuza mpango wetu wa kuwasilisha ripoti leo.

These tools are broken, so we must change our plan to present the report today.

Breakdown of Vifaa hivi vimeharibika, hivyo tunapaswa kugeuza mpango wetu wa kuwasilisha ripoti leo.

• leo: today
• wa: of
• hivyo: so
• mpango: the plan
• ripoti: the report
• kifaa: the tool
• hivi: these
• kuharibika: to be broken
• kupaswa: to be required
• kugeuza: to change
• kuwasilisha: to present

Questions & Answers about Vifaa hivi vimeharibika, hivyo tunapaswa kugeuza mpango wetu wa kuwasilisha ripoti leo.

What does vifaa hivi mean, and how is its structure determined by Swahili noun classes?

Vifaa is the plural of kifaa, meaning "device," "tool," or "equipment." The accompanying demonstrative hivi agrees with this noun class, translating the phrase as "these devices" or "these pieces of equipment."

How is the verb vimeharibika formed, and what tense or aspect does it convey?

Vimeharibika is constructed by combining the subject marker for the plural noun class (matching vifaa) with the perfect aspect marker me- and the root haribika (meaning "to break" or "to become damaged"). This formation yields a present perfect sense—indicating that the devices have already broken down and that their broken state carries into the present.

What role does hivyo play in the sentence?

Hivyo serves as a conjunction meaning "so" or "therefore." It connects the first clause (where the devices are stated to be broken) with the subsequent clause, signaling that the broken state leads to a necessary change in plans.

How does the modal construction tunapaswa work, and what does it indicate?

Tunapaswa combines the subject prefix tu- (meaning "we") with paswa, a modal verb expressing obligation. Together, it translates as "we should" or "we must." This structure tells us that, because the devices are broken, an action (changing the plan) is required.

What is the meaning of kugeuza, and why is it in the infinitive form here?

Kugeuza means "to change" or "to alter." It is used in its infinitive form following the modal tunapaswa, which is a common pattern in Swahili where the infinitive verb follows an expression of obligation, indicating a proposed or necessary action.

How is possession expressed in mpango wetu?

Mpango means "plan," and wetu is the possessive pronoun for "our." In Swahili, possessive pronouns typically follow the noun they modify, so mpango wetu directly translates as "our plan."

Can you break down the phrase wa kuwasilisha ripoti leo and explain its structure?

Certainly. The phrase modifies mpango wetu and translates to "of presenting the report today." Here’s the breakdown:
• Wa – a linking element that connects the noun with its descriptive clause.
• Kuwasilisha – the infinitive form of "to present" (or "to deliver") indicating the intended action.
• Ripoti – meaning "report."
• Leo – meaning "today."
This entire phrase qualifies mpango wetu, specifying that the plan concerns presenting the report on the current day.

What is the function of the ku- prefix in verbs like kugeuza and kuwasilisha?

In Swahili, the ku- prefix marks the verb in its infinitive form. It is used when the verb is not being conjugated for tense or subject, which is typical after modal verbs such as tunapaswa. Thus, both kugeuza (to change) and kuwasilisha (to present/deliver) remain in the base form to express the intended actions.