Majani yanadondoka kutoka juu ya mti.

The leaves are falling from the tree.

Breakdown of Majani yanadondoka kutoka juu ya mti.

• kutoka: from
• mti: the tree
• jani: the leaf
• juu: above
• kudondoka: to fall

Questions & Answers about Majani yanadondoka kutoka juu ya mti.

What does majani mean in English?

Majani translates to "leaves". It refers to the foliage of a tree and is used as a plural noun in Swahili.

How is the verb yanadondoka constructed in this sentence?

Yanadondoka is built from a subject prefix and a verb root. The prefix "yana-" agrees with majani (leaves), and the root "dondoka" means "to fall off". Additionally, the na within the prefix marks the present continuous tense, indicating that the leaves are falling right now.

What does the preposition kutoka signify here?

The word kutoka means "from". It points to the origin of the action, showing that the falling leaves are coming from a specific location, which is detailed in the phrase that follows.

What is the role and meaning of the phrase juu ya mti?

Juu ya mti translates to "on/above the tree". This phrase specifies the location associated with the action, indicating that the leaves are falling from the top or upper parts of the tree.

Why is the subject prefix "yana-" used instead of a different form?

In Swahili, verbs must agree with their subject’s noun class. Because majani (leaves) is a plural noun belonging to a particular noun class, the verb takes the prefix "yana-". This agreement is essential for correct conjugation and clarity in the sentence.

How does the sentence structure in Swahili compare to its English equivalent?

The Swahili sentence follows a structure similar to English—subject, verb, and then a prepositional phrase. In English, we’d say "Leaves fall from the tree." However, in Swahili the verb is more complex because it incorporates both the subject marker and the tense marker (the na), which aren’t explicitly shown in the English version.

Can yanadondoka be interpreted as describing either an ongoing or a habitual action?

Yes, it can. The na marker in yanadondoka is often used for the present continuous, which suggests an ongoing action as well as a habitual or repeated one. Context usually helps determine whether the speaker means that the leaves are falling right now or if this is a regular occurrence.