Wakati wa mazungumzo yetu, niliona kioo kikubwa ninachokiabudu kwa urembo wake.

During our conversation, I saw a large mirror that I admire for its beauty.

Breakdown of Wakati wa mazungumzo yetu, niliona kioo kikubwa ninachokiabudu kwa urembo wake.

• mimi: I
• wakati: the time
• kuona: to see
• wa: of
• kwa: for
• yetu: our
• kubwa: large
• kioo: the mirror
• zungumzo: the conversation
• urembo: the beauty
• ambacho: that

Questions & Answers about Wakati wa mazungumzo yetu, niliona kioo kikubwa ninachokiabudu kwa urembo wake.

How is the past tense formed in the verb niliona?

The verb niliona comes from kuona (to see). In Swahili, the subject ni- indicates “I,” and the infix li- marks the past tense. This combination—ni- + li- + ona—yields niliona, meaning “I saw.”

What is the role of the relative marker cho in ninachokiabudu?

In Swahili, relative clauses are built using a marker that agrees with the noun it describes. The noun kioo (mirror) belongs to the ki/vi class, which requires the relative marker cho. Thus, ninachokiabudu is understood as “that I worship” or “which I adore,” with cho linking the action to kioo.

How do adjectives agree with the noun they modify, as seen in kioo kikubwa?

Adjectives in Swahili must agree with the noun’s class. The noun kioo belongs to the ki/vi class, so the adjective “big” takes the ki- prefix, transforming kubwa into kikubwa. This agreement ensures that the adjective matches the noun’s form and class.

How is possession expressed in the phrase mazungumzo yetu?

The phrase mazungumzo yetu means “our conversation.” In Swahili, the possessive pronoun follows the noun it modifies. Here, yetu means “our” and comes after mazungumzo (“conversation”), clearly showing ownership.

What does the prepositional phrase kwa urembo wake mean, and how is it structured?

The phrase kwa urembo wake translates as “for its beauty” or “because of its beauty.” The preposition kwa means “for” or “with.” Urembo means “beauty,” and wake is the possessive pronoun (“its”) referring back to kioo. This construction explains that the mirror is admired due to its beauty.